PAIC provides individuals with the tools and resources they need to succeed as intuitive consultants

The Professional Association of Intuitive Consultants, based in Nashville, Ind., near Indianapolis, seeks to protect and advance both the public interest and the interests of practitioners.

"PAIC was created in response to the growing desire -- among counselors, healers and other professionals who use intuition in their practices -- for professional support in education, training, research, advocacy and service, while at the same time creating, stimulating and maintaining high professional standards and ethical behavior in the practice of intuition," co-founder and Executive Director L.W. Ashonosheni Ph.D. said.

Professional members range from life coaches, massage therapists, transpersonal counselors, spiritual directors and visionary artists to Reiki healers, feng shui practitioners, shamans, channels and mediums, Ashonosheni said.

Other membership categories include educational institutions such as intuitive-arts and massage-therapy schools and affiliates such as spiritual publishers and metaphysical stores.

Membership benefits include:
-- The association's quarterly newsletter, The Intuitive, containing articles, interviews, PAIC announcements, topical issues and other timely information. Members are encouraged to submit material for publication.
-- Professional accreditation in specialized fields to members who meet the requirements of the PAIC Certification Board.
-- Members-only career resources.
-- Special-interest divisions that let practitioners join with colleagues who share their professional focus.
-- Inclusion in the online PAIC membership directories.
-- Eligibility for discounted health, life and long-term-disability insurance.
-- Eligibility for discounted credit-card processing.
-- Discounts on professional products and services.
-- Links from the PAIC Web site to member Web sites.
-- Opportunities to promote member books through the PAIC Web site.

"PAIC provides individuals with the tools and resources they need to succeed as intuitive consultants," Ashonosheni said. "It also fosters communication and networking among members, advocates on behalf of the profession and raises positive public awareness of PAIC members and intuitive consulting."

The association intends to be the pre-eminent, broad-based membership organization for intuitive professionals, she said.

She added: "People not accustomed to being consciously in touch with their intuition may think it's an inexplicable force that comes through some mystical experience. In fact, intuition is a practical tool, available at all times, helping us deal with decisions, problems and challenges every day."

PAIC encourages the ethical use of intuition for growth, development, self-expression and higher purpose, Ashonosheni said.