Soma House Counselling & Wellness
Providing trauma and neuroscience-informed counselling
for people at the intersection of trauma, grief, and loss.
WHERE YOUR STORY, BODY, & HEALING MATTER
Trauma, Grief, and Loss Counselling in Nanaimo, Across BC, & Canada-Wide
Trauma, Grief, and Loss Counselling in Nanaimo, Across BC, & Canada-Wide
Trauma, Grief, and Loss Counselling in Nanaimo, Across BC, & Canada-Wide
At Soma House Counselling & Wellness, Farnaz Farrokhi-Holmes, Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), and EMDR therapist, provides biopsychosocial, trauma-informed, and neuroscience-informed counselling for individuals, children, youth, couples, and families navigating trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, burnout, ADHD, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. Based in Nanaimo, BC, she offers in-person counselling, virtual therapy across British Columbia, and Canada-wide services where permitted.
Farnaz also specializes in supporting first responders, veterans, leaders, and professionals working in high-demand, trauma-exposed environments. As an Occupationally Aware Healthcare Provider trained through Wounded Warriors Canada and First Responder Health, she understands how chronic stress, trauma exposure, and prolonged responsibility can impact both work and home life.
Prior to becoming a counsellor, Farnaz spent nearly two decades working in high-pressure roles in communications, public safety, crisis response, and government, including within emergency operations environments and the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada. Combined with her lived experience growing up in a war-affected environment and on air force bases, her education, clinical training, and research helped shape her commitment to providing counselling that recognizes the interconnected impact of trauma, relationships, culture, environment, and nervous system functioning on wellbeing and recovery.
Using evidence-based approaches such as EMDR therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), somatic therapy, and neurocounselling, Farnaz supports clients in processing difficult experiences, understanding protective patterns, and creating meaningful, sustainable change.
Massage & Somatic Bodywork
Trauma, Grief, and Loss Counselling in Nanaimo, Across BC, & Canada-Wide
Trauma, Grief, and Loss Counselling in Nanaimo, Across BC, & Canada-Wide
At Soma House Counselling & Wellness, we believe in caring for both the mind and the body.
As of April, Lana Sheppard, Somatic Bodywork Practitioner (NHPC) and founder of Lana Grace Somatics, is now practicing out of Soma House as an Associate, offering in-person massage and somatic bodywork in Nanaimo.
Lana believes healing begins when we listen to the wisdom of the body—fostering a deep mind–body connection and trauma-informed presence that restores balance and a sense of innate ease. She specializes in somatic bodywork, Reiki, and trauma-informed yoga sessions designed to nourish this connection and support lasting regulation and well-being.
This means that Lana offers a range of massage and bodywork modalities in Nanaimo, including Nuad Bo-Rarn Thai Massage, a movement-based therapy using assisted stretching and gentle pressure to support flexibility, circulation, and nervous system regulation, and Lomi Lomi, a rhythmic, flowing massage that promotes deep relaxation, emotional release, and overall balance. Some of her services include:
- Somatic Bodywork: Gentle, body-led practices that prioritize internal sensation over external form—supporting greater awareness, embodiment, and ease.
- Reiki Massage: A blend of restorative touch and energetic healing that helps clear blockages while inviting a sense of deep physical and emotional calm.
- Somatic Yoga: Slow, mindful movement rooted in internal experience, helping you reconnect with your body with greater grace and presence.
Meet our Animal-Assisted Support Team
Sir. Courtland: The Regal Ruler of Comfort
Miss Braya Bear: A Golden Heart with a Playful Spirit
Miss Braya Bear: A Golden Heart with a Playful Spirit
Miss Braya Bear: A Golden Heart with a Playful Spirit
Miss Braya Bear: A Golden Heart with a Playful Spirit
Miss Braya Bear: A Golden Heart with a Playful Spirit
Relic: Heart-Melter & Gentle Reminder of Resilience
Miss Braya Bear: A Golden Heart with a Playful Spirit
Relic: Heart-Melter & Gentle Reminder of Resilience
Therapy & the Mind–Body Connection
Counseling & Psychotherapy with Farnaz
Farnaz brings together mind-body practices, evidence-based therapies, and a trauma-informed and neuro-informed lens to help you feel grounded, supported, and empowered. Whether you're seeking in-person counselling at our Nanaimo practice or virtual therapy across British Columbia (or Canada), Farnaz's approach is designed to help you feel grounded, supported, and empowered.
COUNSELLING & Psychotherapy (Individuals, Couples, Children, Families)
Farnaz offer personalized counselling rooted in evidence-based and trauma-informed practices, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Somatic Therapy, Play and Art Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) parts work, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
- For children and families, we support emotional expression, coping skills, and communication—helping with anxiety, ADHD, school stress, sibling conflict, and family transitions. Parents and caregivers also receive guidance tailored to their unique challenges.
- For individuals, we provide support through stress, trauma, loss, identity shifts, ADHD, and emotional overwhelm. Many of our clients are caregivers, neurodivergent adults, or professionals in high-pressure roles such as healthcare, education, or emergency services.
- For couples, we help navigate communication issues, parenting stress, intimacy challenges, and major life transitions—creating space for reconnection, healing, and growth.
Direct Billing & Insurance
Direct billing for counselling services with Farnaz Farrokhi-Holmes, RCC, CCC is available through Pacific Blue Cross, Medavie Blue Cross (Veterans Affairs Canada members), and many other providers. However, if direct billing is not possible, a receipt will be provided for you to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. So, please check with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage for counselling or psychotherapy services.
You’re Not Alone.
You might be a parent navigating a recent diagnosis, a teen feeling misunderstood, a couple struggling to reconnect, or an individual battling burnout.
You may be separated, divorced, part of a blended family, or caring for aging parents. Whatever you're carrying — you don’t have to do it alone.
At Soma House Counselling & Wellness, Farnaz provide in-person therapy in Nanaimo and virtual counselling across British Columbia, supporting individuals, couples, and families through life’s most difficult transitions.
At Soma House Counselling & Wellness, Farnaz provides in-person counselling in Nanaimo, serving clients across Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan, and throughout Vancouver Island, as well as secure virtual counselling across British Columbia and Canada. Therapy supports individuals, couples, and families navigating life’s most difficult transitions.
✔️ In-person and online counselling for anxiety, burnout & stress management
✔️ Trauma-informed therapy for PTSD, trauma recovery & nervous system regulation — in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, across BC and Canada-Wide
✔️ Couples & relationship therapy (including blended families, separation & co-parenting) — virtually or in person
Land Acknowledgment
Soma House Counselling & Wellness gratefully acknowledges that we work on the unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw and Stz'uminus First Nations.
Commitment to Inclusivity
We are committed to being a safe and welcoming space for members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
