THE family that psychic performer Sue Nicholson grew up with has all but disowned her over her work.

Nicholson says she started seeing spirits at the age of four.

"I used to see spirits. For me it was very normal, they used to come and sit on my bed and talk to me," she said.

"I wasn't really scared of it, I just knew it was somebody different when they walked through the wall."

Nicholson's "strict" family didn't allow her to talk about her visions.

About 27 years ago, after the British-born woman had moved to New Zealand she "came out" about her sixth sense.

Her husband and kids accepted it, but her family back in England didn't.

"I thought, it's time for me to actually come out... When my children were small I would be teaching them, so they're all very in tune with it, and my grand- children as well," she said.

"My family in England don't talk to me. They have nothing to do with me."

Psychic Sue, who previously worked in offices, has now been a full-time, touring psychic for nearly 30 years. She's also starred on television show Sensing Murder.

So how does her psychic ability stand up?

After I interviewed Sue, she gave me a reading over the phone, based on my birth date.

Initially, I was shocked by the accuracy of her reading. She said I was creative, she said I over-analysed things, that I get bored easily and that I need to look after my health.

On reflection, the latter could have been informed by my raspy voice and cough; the former by my career choice.

As for over-analysing things - surely that's the point and the woe of being a sentient, conscious being?

The only thing she really got wrong was that I was a spiritual person. I've never really understood what that means, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't apply. I certainly don't go to church or meditate with candles. Or make a habit of getting my fortune told.

The reading ended with the prediction that although 2016 had been chaotic, 2017 would see more "balance" in my life. I'm sure that's not possible, but it's a nice thought.

The reading was certainly more accurate than my psychic experience in Budapest. That palm-reader told me I had two boyfriends, which unfortunately was not true. But it was also too vague to convince me of any higher powers.

I passed the phone on to Daily Mercury journalist Madolyn Peters for a chat with Nicholson. She said all the things Nicholson said sounded general, but her mum thought the description was quite accurate.

"When my mum listened to it she said it was really true, like the way I'm a sensitive soul and need to let some of the things I'm holding onto go apparently," she said.

"She said I'd been through some loss which I suppose I have after my little brother died in 2000... it was good, I really liked talking to her. She kind of made me feel as if I was on the right track."

If Nicholson doesn't have psychic abilities, she at least has a lot of warmth and a knack of quickly picking up on people's personalities.

Psychic Sue will do a show at the Northern Beaches Bowls Club on July 11. To buy tickets visit http://www.suenicholson.co.nz.