Requently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some common questions about counselling services at Soma House Counselling & Wellness in Nanaimo, British Columbia. If you have additional questions, you are welcome to book a free 15-minute consultation to determine whether counselling feels like the right fit.  

Soma House Counselling & Wellness provides trauma-informed counselling in Nanaimo, British Columbia, as well as secure virtual therapy across British Columbia and select Canadian provinces.

Farnaz Farrokhi-Holmes, RCC, CCC offers counselling for individuals, couples, children, and families navigating concerns such as:

• anxiety and chronic stress 
• trauma and PTSD 
• grief and loss 
• ADHD and neurodiversity 
• burnout and emotional overwhelm 
• relationship challenges and life transitions
   

Counselling integrates evidence-based and mind-body approaches, including EMDR therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), somatic therapy, narrative therapy, and play-based approaches.

Soma House Counselling & Wellness is located in Nanaimo, British Columbia on Vancouver Island.

In-person counselling sessions are available for clients living in Nanaimo and surrounding communities, including Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan, and across Vancouver Island. Secure virtual counselling sessions are also offered throughout British Columbia and select Canadian provinces, allowing clients to access support from the comfort of their home.

Yes. In addition to in-person counselling in Nanaimo, Farnaz offers secure virtual counselling sessions across British Columbia and Canada-Wide. 

Virtual counselling allows clients to access therapy from home while maintaining privacy and flexibility. Many clients find online sessions just as effective as in-person counselling. 

Counselling at Soma House Counselling & Wellness supports people experiencing:

• Anxiety and stress 
• Trauma and PTSD 
• Grief and loss 
• ADHD and neurodiversity 
• Burnout and emotional overwhelm/compassion fatigue 
• Relationship challenges 
• Life transitions and identity changes 
• High-conflict separation or divorce and co-parenting challenges
   

Therapy focuses on helping clients understand their experiences, regulate their nervous system, and develop practical coping strategies.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy used to help people process distressing experiences and trauma.

At Soma House Counselling & Wellness in Nanaimo, EMDR therapy helps clients process memories that feel “stuck” in the nervous system so they become less emotionally overwhelming.

EMDR may help with:

• trauma and PTSD 
• anxiety and panic 
• grief and unresolved loss 
• chronic stress and burnout 
• negative self-beliefs
   

Farnaz brings a steady, compassionate presence to the work of EMDR—meeting you exactly where you are and honouring your story as it unfolds. EMDR isn’t about reliving trauma—it’s about reclaiming peace, resilience, and your connection to self. And, sessions can be conducted in person in Nanaimo or virtually across British Columbia or Canada-Wide. 

The frequency of counselling sessions depends on your goals and needs.

Many clients begin with weekly or bi-weekly counselling sessions, especially when working through concerns such as anxiety, trauma, or major life transitions. Over time, sessions may become less frequent as clients build coping skills and feel more confident managing challenges independently.

Yes. Soma House Counselling & Wellness offers a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask questions and determine whether counselling with Farnaz feels like a good fit before booking a full session. 

Counselling fees vary depending on the counsellor’s training and experience. At Soma House Counselling & Wellness, session fees reflect professional qualifications, evidence-based care, and trauma-informed practice. Please visit our Meet Us page to see the fees.  

Please visit our Cancellation Policy page for important information about our policies. 

Booking a service with Soma House is easy and convenient! For the best experience, please use the online booking system as it provides you with the flexibility to view the most up-to-date booking availabilities, receive appointment reminders, go on waitlists, and easily reschedule if you need to.

To get started, simply visit Soma House's booking site at https://somahouse.janeapp.com/. If you're unsure how to book online, you can refer to this tutorial for patients: https://jane.app/guide/booking-an-appointment-online-for-patients