A guide for parents in Dubai and the UAE.
When your child is having emotional or behavioral difficulties, knowing which child mental health professional to contact in Dubai can feel confusing. Child therapist, play therapist, child psychologist, CBT therapist, what is the difference?
Child Therapist in Dubai
A child therapist in the UAE is a broad term for a professional who provides therapeutic support to children. A child therapist may have a professional background in counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, social work or another recognised field, followed by specialist training in a particular therapeutic approach such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, trauma informed therapy or other therapeutic approaches.
1. Play Therapist
Based on the Association of Play Therapy (APT), a Play Therapist has specialist training in using play therapeutically with children and adolescents. Play therapy is much more than simply allowing a child to play. It requires specific training in child development, person centred approach, therapeutic relationships, assessment, intervention, safeguarding and ethical practice.
Training requirements vary internationally. Becoming a Certified Play Therapist requires psychology and mental health background alongside the completion of an accredited postgraduate Diploma-level certification programme, including at least 200 hours of clinically supervised work with children, professional membership, ongoing clinical supervision, clinical governance and continuing professional development.
This is why completing a short “play therapy techniques” course does not, by itself, make someone a qualified Play Therapist.
If you are looking for a play therapist in Dubai, ask about their specific play therapy qualification and professional registration.
2. Cognitive behavior Therapist for Children (CBT)
A CBT therapist uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help children understand the relationship between their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. CBT can be adapted developmentally for children using games, stories, drawing and practical activities.
CBT may be used to support children experiencing anxiety, worries, low mood, phobias and emotional or behavioural difficulties.
As with play therapy, specialist training matters. For example, the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) standards include 450 hours of postgraduate CBT training, 200 hours of supervised clinical practice and 40 hours of clinical supervision for accreditation.
Child Psychologist in Dubai
A child psychologist is a psychologist specialising in children's emotional, behavioural and developmental needs. Depending on their training and registration, they may provide psychological assessment, formulation and therapeutic intervention. You may come across educational psychologists or clinical psychologists.
Educational psychologists typically focus on learning, development and the educational environment, while clinical child psychologists focus more broadly on emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties and may provide psychological assessment and therapeutic intervention.
A child psychologist may be particularly helpful when a child requires psychological assessment or more specialised psychological support.
School Counsellor in Dubai
A school counsellor supports children's wellbeing within the school environment. Their role can include social-emotional support, prevention, early intervention, wellbeing programmes, brief counselling, crisis support and helping children manage difficulties that may affect their learning or relationships.
Importantly, school counselling is not the same as ongoing psychotherapy. School counsellors generally work within the educational setting and focus on supporting the child's social, emotional and academic wellbeing.
If a child needs more specialised or long-term therapeutic intervention, the school counsellor may work collaboratively with an external child therapist (play therapy or CBT), psychologist or psychiatrist.
Child Psychiatrist in Dubai
A child and adolescent psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in children's and adolescents' mental health. Child psychiatrists can assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health conditions and may use psychotherapy, family interventions, medication, or a combination of approaches depending on the child's needs.
In the UAE, a child psychiatrist is often an essential step of the process who will guide you to the correct professional.
Which Professional Is Right for My Child?
There isn't one “best” professional. The right choice depends on your child's age, developmental stage, difficulties and individual needs.Sometimes children may benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, with a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, school and family working together.
At the Play Therapy Centre, we believe parents should feel confident knowing who is supporting their child, what they are trained to do and what professional standards they follow.
References
Association for Play Therapy. (n.d.). Play therapy makes a difference. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://www.a4pt.org/page/PTMakesADifference/Play-Therapy-Makes-a-Difference.htm
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. (n.d.). What is CBT? Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://babcp.com/what-is-cbt/
