Parin Somaiya

I'm Parin — a BACP-registered child and adolescent counsellor offering integrative, trauma-informed counselling through art-based therapy for children aged 5 to 16, online across the UK.

My work is held with warmth, patience and deep respect for the inner world of every child — a safe, unhurried space where each one is met exactly as they are, without judgment. I gently support children through anxiety, emotional overwhelm, grief, family change and the after-effects of difficult or frightening experiences, always at the child's own pace.

Sessions are creative rather than conversational. Through art, play, music, movement and mindfulness, children express what they cannot yet put into words — so they begin to feel safe within themselves again. The modality follows the child, never the other way around.

My training:

• MSc Psychology & Trauma (Child & Adolescent) — UCL with the Anna Freud Centre (graduating 2027)
  
• Diploma in Child Counselling — IATE, London
  
• Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic & Educational Application — IATE, London
  
• Specialist training in art-based & play therapy — IATE, London
  
• Certificate in Early Childhood Education — UCLA
  

I'm a registered member of the BACP (No. 413924), work under regular clinical supervision, and practise safeguarding-first with confidential, GDPR-compliant record-keeping. I'm fluent in English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi, with particular experience supporting neurodiverse children and those navigating more than one culture or language.

Peaches of Chelsea is a warm, creative online practice for children aged 5–16 and the parents walking alongside them. Everything is delivered online, UK-wide — no waiting rooms, and sessions are designed specifically for children: materials sent ahead, a screen-time-aware structure, and parents quietly nearby when needed. Many children find it easier to open up in their own room, with their own art supplies.

Ways I can help: 1:1 Child Counselling (ages 5–16): integrative counselling using art-based therapy. 50 minutes, from £65, minimum 6 sessions.

I most often support children with anxiety and worry, emotional regulation, grief and loss, low mood, family transitions, trauma, neurodiversity (autistic and ADHD children), confidence and self-worth, school difficulties, selective mutism, behavioural challenges, and cultural identity. Every child is unique, so sessions are always tailored to the individual.

A complimentary 15-minute intro call is the gentlest place to begin.

We begin with a complimentary 15-minute call — questions, no commitment, and a feel for whether we're the right fit for your child and family. There's no pressure and no waiting room, just a gentle hello. This first call is free of charge.

Early sessions are about safety and trust, never about getting straight to "the problem." Your child sets the pace, always. As they settle, art, play, music and movement become the shared language, and words arrive when they're ready.

A minimum of six sessions is usually recommended so we can build the relationship and begin the work, though the length depends entirely on your child — some move quickly through a specific concern, others benefit from longer, slower support. We review together regularly and finish gently, when your child is ready to go on alone.

I kindly ask for 48 hours' notice for any cancellation or rescheduling.