Fairlie's Story
As a child I loved to play outdoors in the woodlands and fields of Hampshire, secretly picnic-ing atop haystacks and exploring the wilds with my childhood friend and adventure buddy. This all stopped at aged 8 when I was sent away to school, but at 19 the adventures began again as I travelled first to Nepal, then India where I stayed for the next 7 years. There I established a project for streetchildren which had a profound impact on my core values, which I continue to live by to this day.
Breaks from Delhi Streetkids School Project took me to Dharamsala for mountain peace and occasional glimpses of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his seat in exile. There I witnessed some of the difficulties faced by refugees, and on return to UK in 2005 I devoted myself to working with Unaccompained Asylum Seeking Children here in Norfolk.
In 2016 I began training at Tariki Trust, first in Buddhist Psychology and Counselling, then in Psychotherapy, before progressing to Course Tutor on Tariki's 10 Directions Ecotherapy training course. Lockdown brought training to my living room, where I learned about Internal Family Systems and found my true home in the world of therapy.
I am fortunate to belong to a small but flourishing community of Buddhist practitioners here in the Waveney Valley, following the profound teachings of Tsoknyi Rinpoche - whom I had unknowingly sat before some 20 years ago during a temple visit in the foothills of the Himalayas!
My Counselling training and experience
Working therapeutically with people since 2006
Training
Internal Family Systems UK Level 2 Official training (July 2023)
Internal Family Systems UK Level 1 Official training (Sept 2022)
IFS Institute Online Circle Training (2021)
IFS and Trauma with Dr Frank Anderson (2021)
Diploma in Psychotherapy, Tariki Trust, Leicester (2019 - 2021)
Diploma in Counselling, Tariki Trust, Leicester (2016-2019)
Certificate in Person Centred Counselling, UEA (2006)
(Additional short courses completed include:
ACT, Safeguarding and Child Protection, Harmful Sexual Behaviour training, CBT for parents, Sexual Health, Anger Management, Bereavement, Child Sexual Exploitation, ASD, ADHD, Attachment Theory, Nurtured Heart Approach, Restorative Justice)
Professional Counselling Experience
Private practise based in South Norfolk (2019 - present)
SRC Counsellor for women (2020 - present)
Point 1 CAMHS Counsellor (2019 - 2021)
CGL Recovery Counsellor (2018 - 2020)
Time for You Wellbeing Coach in schools (2010 - 2019)
Side by Side Counsellor, Inspiration Trust (2017 - 2018)
How I work
Compassion and acceptance are at the heart of my counselling work, and I will welcome you to your sessions with warmth and understanding. Together we will explore what is happening for you and I will help you to understand and regulate your emotions so that you can find a happier and more harmonious sense of your Self.
My therapeutic work is holistic and draws on a wide range of tools that include traditional talking therapy, creative methods, outdoor therapy, inner parts work, Somatic body work, Focusing, psychological education and meditative techniques, all underpinned by a core commitment to build a kinder and more connected world for everyone.
Guided by these core values of Compassion and Kindness, I have found that these therapeutic methods (ie. individual and group work as well as teaching workshops and meditating together) to be the most effective method for fulfilling these ideals.
Internal Family Systems has emerged for me as a deep yet lightweight method for practising and sharing these values with you, helping others to heal from old patterns, and develop the inner bonds that will empower you and make healing possible.
As a fully qualified and registered member of British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) I comply with their rigorous ethical framework, attend regular professional Clinical Supervision and am committed to ongoing professional development. I am aware of my own personal and professional limitations and have attended over 100 hours of my own counselling.
