Raini isn't actually nearly as powerful as she seems - she's successfully used Hidden Power Psychic on two humans (not well-noted for their resistance to psychic abilities) and a Ditto that was only two levels higher than her. Conversely, she's failed to use it on a Trapinch who also had Hidden Power Psychic, and it's failed completely versus a dark-type (go figure). Everything else that she's done has been normal manipulation. She may not be too powerful, but she's got a surprisingly good grasp on how to play people.

In regards to her psychic powers specifically, every time she's used them, she's mostly just been inserting a specific thought into people's minds. In most cases it's "Turn around. You really want to forget you saw this." In Cam's case it was "Trust your teammate." Especially in the latter case, the victims were already naturally inclined to follow.

That said, a Pokemon that's got her solidly beat in level or any reasonably-competent Psychic would be able to pierce that facade pretty quick, assuming they're not being manipulated by more mundane means, such as Maza.

She chose herself as a target for her attack so that it would look like something was using psychic powers on her.

And yeah, that wasn't a literal statement - I meant more that Alakazam are not well known for their physical prowess.

I did get a chance to look over the story. I kind of really want to punch Yssera in the face, but that opportunity's sort of gone now. XD