Requently Asked Questions

At Soma House, we offer two distinct yet complementary services:

• Counselling: Designed to foster insight and support emotional processing, helping individuals explore thoughts, emotions, and life challenges in a safe, compassionate space.

• Kundalini & Restorative Somatic Yoga: Focuses on releasing tension through movement, breathwork, and awareness.

Together, these approaches create a holistic path to healing, integration, and balance.

Counselling with Farnaz is designed to meet individuals where they are on their unique journey. Farnaz’s approach is directive, collaborative, and person-centred, ensuring that each client’s needs are met with care and understanding. Recognizing that healing is a personal process, Farnaz understands that challenges such as trauma, grief, or loss are not experienced in a linear way. Patience and compassion for oneself are key to this journey, and therapy provides a safe space to explore and process emotions at a pace that feels right for each individual.

Initial Session
The first session focuses on understanding the issues that brought you to therapy. It’s essential to explore what matters most to you in this process, which helps shape the approach moving forward. The goal is to view the issues from multiple perspectives and ensure that interventions are tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. This stage also involves assessing the therapeutic fit. Do you feel heard, respected, and comfortable with the direction of the sessions? If you are attending therapy as a couple or family, the history of your relationship, your challenges, and your goals will be examined in-depth.

Second Session
The second session builds on the goals set during the first session. It’s a time to further clarify those goals and collaboratively create a plan of action. Additional details about your situation will be discussed, helping to refine the approach for your unique needs. Exploring your thoughts and feelings at a comfortable pace can often bring clarity and relief. At times, assignments or tasks may be provided to work on between sessions to support progress.

Subsequent Sessions
As therapy progresses, goals may be adjusted based on the strides you’re making. At the beginning of each session, you will have the chance to express what you’d like to focus on and what you need from that session. Discussions about therapeutic homework may arise, as each person’s needs are different. As therapy evolves, assignments become more personalized. However, for some, simply showing up with an open mind becomes a valuable goal in itself. Sessions may be structured or unstructured, depending on your needs.

Ending Therapy
Ending therapy is a natural part of the process and can be discussed openly with your counsellor. The goal is to equip you with the tools and confidence to navigate life's challenges. Ending therapy does not mean support is unavailable when needed; instead, it signifies that you have developed the ability to handle challenges independently with clarity. A discussion about winding down sessions ensures a smooth transition, reviewing your progress and creating a plan for success moving forward.

Session Frequency
Determining how often to attend therapy depends on your current situation, goals, and the pace at which you wish to make progress. There are various frequency options, with the flexibility to adjust as your needs evolve.

• Intensive Therapy:  For those requiring urgent and intensive support, typically two sessions per week. If you are in crisis, please contact 1-800-SUICIDE, available 24/7 for all BC residents. Additionally, 9-8-8 is the new national Suicide Crisis Helpline, offering assistance to anyone in mental health distress across the country.
   
• Making Progress: For those looking to make significant strides in therapy. One session per week, with options for 50 or 85-minute sessions, depending on availability.
   
• Ongoing Support: For those seeking to maintain progress and explore goals more independently. One session every two weeks.
   
• Occasional Support: For individuals who are doing well overall but have a few specific concerns requiring attention. Sessions every 3-4 weeks.
   
• Maintaining Progress: For those who have largely achieved their goals and wish to maintain their progress. Sessions are typically every 6 weeks or 3 months, with options for 85 or 50-minute sessions, depending on availability.
   

At any stage, the frequency of sessions is flexible and can be adjusted to suit your evolving needs. 

The frequency of sessions with a practitioner at Soma House will depend on your individual needs and goals. Some clients may benefit from weekly sessions, while others may attend bi-weekly or monthly. You can discuss this in more detail with your practitioner. 

Please visit our Meet Us page to see the fees under each practitioner. 

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