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," the association said.

It 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 said.

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

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

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