Soma House Counselling & Wellness
Providing trauma-informed counselling & psychotherapy
for people at the intersection of trauma, grief, and loss.
WHERE YOUR STORY, BODY, & HEALING MATTER
Clinical Counselling & Psychotherapy in Nanaimo, Across British Columbia, Virtually Canad
Clinical Counselling & Psychotherapy in Nanaimo, Across British Columbia, Virtually Canad
Clinical Counselling & Psychotherapy in Nanaimo, Across British Columbia, Virtually Canad
You don’t have to have everything figured out—you just have to begin.
At Soma House Counselling & Wellness, Farnaz Farrokhi-Holmes, Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), and EMDR Therapist, offers trauma-informed counselling in Nanaimo and virtual therapy across British Columbia and Canada-wide. She meets people at the intersection of trauma, grief, and loss—where experiences can feel overwhelming, confusing, or hard to put into words—and supports those navigating anxiety, burnout, ADHD, relationship challenges, and life transitions, including high-conflict divorce and co-parenting.
With a background in high-pressure roles in communications, public safety, crisis response, and government, Farnaz brings a grounded understanding of trauma in high-demand, trauma-exposed professions, and the impact it can have on both work and home life.
Farnaz created Soma House as a warm, grounded space where people can slow down, feel heard, and reconnect with themselves. Through a mind–body approach, clients learn to understand their nervous system and move out of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses toward greater balance within their window of tolerance.
Using evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, Farnaz supports clients in making sense of their experiences, regulating their nervous system, and moving toward healing, resilience, and a stronger connection to themselves.
Massage & Somatic Bodywork
Clinical Counselling & Psychotherapy in Nanaimo, Across British Columbia, Virtually Canad
Clinical Counselling & Psychotherapy in Nanaimo, Across British Columbia, Virtually Canad
At Soma House Counselling & Wellness, we believe in caring for both the mind and the body.
This April, Lana Sheppard, Somatic Bodywork Practitioner (NHPC) and founder of Lana Grace Somatics, will be practicing out of Soma House Counselling & Wellness as an Associate, offering in-person massage and somatic bodywork in Nanaimo. Her work supports stress, anxiety, burnout, and feeling stuck in the body—through a grounded, trauma-informed, mind–body approach that complements Soma House’s holistic care model.
After experiencing the profound impact of holistic therapies in her own life, Lana stepped away from the corporate world to pursue work that felt more aligned—supporting others through intentional, trauma-informed, and compassionate care.
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. Her services also include Thai Reflexology, Hot Stone Therapy, and Indian Head Massage.
Lana’s intention is to create a space where clients can feel safe, supported, and more at home in their bodies—supporting nervous system regulation, stress relief, and a greater sense of ease.
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 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.
