PRACTITIONER PROFILE
What advice do you have for today ’ s emerging practitioners ? Studying these amazing holistic sciences is one thing but putting them into practice is what teaches you how they work and my experience in my clinic has given me so much knowledge together with exchanging notes with my peers .
My daughter , Khursheed Irani , who is also a long-standing ATMS accredited practitioner and is a degree holder in acupuncture and Chinese medicine along with qualifications in aromatic medicine , Ayurveda aromatherapy , and a Bowen therapy instructor , has also contributed greatly towards our clinical research .
Also , sitting in with my professors and teachers of the various modalities in their clinical work and consultation taught me what no books can teach , so learning from the Masters and respecting their work is the key to success . Additionally , staying under the radar and not making claims beyond our expertise is of utmost importance . Humility is necessary as when the ego takes over it lessens the impact of your work and the effectiveness of it .
I have been an instructor , lecturer , international speaker and teacher of various modalities such as Ayurveda , Ayurveda aromatherapy , reflexology and Bowen therapy for many years . My advice to emerging practitioners is to put into practice what you learn for some time before you start teaching and also not to use the word ‘ healer ’ or ‘ healing ’ much as that puts you in the same category as someone who might have done a short course who calls themself a healer .
Also , to be professional in your approach , to write down every aspect of your consultation as that is your evidence and your clinical research and to keep yourself up to date and always do ongoing education programs for yourself to enhance your skills and knowledge . Also I always say , ‘ I was a student , I am a student and I will remain a student ’, as every client , every teacher , every student who comes my way teaches me something valuable .
Farida Irani is a Holistic Health Practitioner , Senior Bowen Therapy Instructor , Ayurveda Practitioner , Clinical Aromatherapist , Aromatic Medicine Specialist and Founder of Subtle Energies and Ayurveda Yoga Australia .
Kerrin Cassidy
What has kept you practising for 30 + years ? I graduated as a Naturopath from Nature Care College in 1992 as a young 22 year old . Not wanting to launch into practice straight away , I worked for Russell ' s Natural Food Markets , managing their Dee Why store for 4 years . My first practice was across the road from that , at Ian White ' s Bush Flower Essence clinic .
From there I merged into full time practice , working from various clinics including Herbal Solutions in Annandale , as well as from home . In 1999 I took a job as Naturopath for the company in the UK that imported Blackmores and Jurlique , becoming the technical and training support for Blackmores and working in their clinic in London , Apotheke 20-20 . I met my husband in London , who was fortunately Australian , and we moved back to Sydney in 2003 . I practised at Life Source clinic and yoga centre in North Sydney , as well as lecturing in Celloid Mineral Therapy and Iridology at ACNT and Nature Care until 2010 , when I had my son .
Since then I have been playing the role of Mum , as well as practising from my clinic room at home . I also now work 1-2 days per week from our local pharmacy as their Naturopath .
As you can see , my roles as a Naturopath have been varied and flexible , allowing for travel and family , and I really like this aspect . The variety has certainly been stimulating , and of course I love treating people as seeing the great results - that is my reward for a job well done .
What have been the most important changes to natural medicine you have seen during your career ? When I studied Naturopathy , back in the old Nature Care Clinic in Frederick St , Artarmon , we had the smell of Nag Champa incense floating down the halls , as well as the smell of the wonderful food from the canteen . There was certainly the sense of an alternative community about it . Things have certainly changed with Bachelor of Science degrees at universities being available - I imagine that studying at University has a very different feel .
What changes in natural medicine would you most like to see ? I would most like to see in the future , that the past is not lost - that we retain that earthy hippy feel , that we still listen to our intuition and we call on our variety of wonderful skills and tools at our fingertips to do the best for our clients . Let ' s not forget the mindbody-spirit connection .
What advice do you have for today ’ s emerging practitioners ? Don ' t overdo it . Patients need a little bit at a time , not an overload of information and supplements on the first visit . A few key supplements , perhaps a herb mix , some dietary changes and some sage words of wisdom , and they will keep coming back . Add a little each time , tweak as you go . You don ' t have to do it all at once .
Kerrin Cassidy is a Naturopath and Homeopath .
JATMS | Winter 2024 | 105