When the World Feels Uncertain: How Environment Shapes Children’s Emotional Development

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:35:30 GMT

“You cannot force a tree to grow by pulling its branches, but you can nurture it by tending to the environment it grows in.”

Children’s environments play a powerful role in shaping their development, particularly in early life. From a young age, children learn about the world through the communities around them and the experiences they have within them. Their surroundings, such as their home, school, and wider social environment can provide the context in which they begin to understand relationships, safety, and how to respond to the world.

Early experiences within these environments can significantly influence a child’s emotional, social, and psychological development. Positive, stable, and nurturing environments tend to support healthy development, while unpredictable or stressful environments may contribute to feelings of uncertainty or anxiety.

This becomes especially important during uncertain or challenging times. Children are highly observant and often look to the adults in their lives for cues on how to interpret and respond to situations. As Stephen Porges (2011) said, children are actively scanning their environments for safety and or danger. The way adults manage stress, express emotions, and communicate during difficult moments can shape a child’s sense of safety and security. When adults respond with calmness, reassurance, and consistency, children are more likely to feel safe. In contrast, heightened stress or unpredictability in the environment may lead children to feel unsettled or unsure.

When children express their feelings and worries verbally, it is important that they feel heard and understood. However, young children, or those who find verbal communication difficult, often express themselves through externalising behaviours. These behaviours may appear undesirable, such as crying or tantrums, but they are a form of communication and self-expression. The safer a child feels emotionally with an adult, the more able they are to express themselves, knowing they will be met with Furthermore, the adults in a child’s life play a key role in providing emotional safety, regulation, and calm. During uncertain times, this becomes even more important, as children rely on adults as co-regulators. Understandably, adults may also feel the pressure of stress, conflict, or unpredictability. In these moments, such as when a sudden loud bang is heard, children will instinctively observe the adult’s response, looking to their body language and facial expressions for cues of safety.

Overall, the environment is not merely a foundation for development; it actively shapes how children understand themselves, others, and the world around them, as well as how emotionally secure and safe they feel.

At PTC, we take a relational and systemic approach to supporting children, recognising that a child’s emotional wellbeing cannot be understood in isolation. We consider the wider network of relationships, including family, school, and environment, and how these systems interact to shape the child’s experiences.

If you need support during these times reach out to us for child and adolescent psychotherapy in Dubai and UAE.

+971 507834705

hello@playtherapycentre.ae

References

Aghaziarati, A., & Nejatifar, S. (2023). Emotional Development and Regulation in Children: A Review of Recent Advances. KMAN Counselling and Psychology Nexus, 1(1), 118-125.

Alimah, N1,Gandini, S2,Fauziyah, N3 (2023). THE INFLUENCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT ON THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY CHILDREN. Muhammadiyah Surakarta university.

Porges, S. W. (2011) The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.

Unlocking Emotions Through Play: Supporting Autism and POD with Play Therapy in Dubai

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 09:06:21 GMT

By Gemma Hookins M.A.

A Passion Born from Experience

I have had the pleasure of working with many children and adolescents with Autism and People of Determination (POD). My journey began as a key worker in a mainstream school in the UK, where I was dedicated to supporting a particular child with special needs, along with others. It was in this role that I discovered how incredibly rewarding it is to work with these special individuals, which ultimately inspired me to train as a play therapist back in 2006.

A Journey of Connection and Growth

Now, almost 20 years later, my passion for working with these wonderful souls has only grown. I’ve witnessed firsthand how powerful and transformative play therapy can be for children and adolescents with Autism and POD. This therapeutic approach allows them to fully express who they are , without question, without direction, and without judgment.

The Heart of Play Therapy

Play therapy has its roots in relational and humanistic approaches. At its core, it’s about creating a space of trust and acceptance. By allowing for autonomy and permissiveness (Axline,1974), the therapist forms a strong relational bond with the child, building a therapeutic alliance that supports attunement and co-regulation. This connection creates a nurturing environment where the child feels safe enough to explore, express, and heal. In line with global best practices and adapted to the needs of families in the UAE, play therapists here provide an environment of emotional safety and autonomy.

Understanding the Needs of Neurodivergent Children and Adolescents

It’s common for children and adolescents with Autism to experience anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Many require strict routines and extra time to process new or potentially overwhelming environments. Even within their school setting, structure is crucial from classroom time to recess and transitions. In very young children, they possibly struggle with sensory difficulties, social cues and overwhelming environments. Furthermore, in adolescents, this can become even more difficult with the onset of change in emotions and body image when going through puberty. if the emotions; needs of the individual are not met, it can impact on their overall well-being (Thornley, 2017).

The Therapy Room: A Safe Haven

In the play therapy room, the child or adolescent is free to act out their rituals, routines, and emotional experiences in a safe, nurturing space. Here, they are supported by a reflective therapist who tracks their behaviours, mirrors their feelings, helps them make sense of their inner world, and treats their social and emotional issues (Grant, 2017). Through this gentle, respectful process, children gain insight and emotional regulation, often for the first time in a setting where they feel truly seen and heard.

Final Thoughts

Play therapy offers a unique and powerful path for healing, self-expression, and growth for children and adolescents with Autism and POD. play therapy addresses their emotional needs and embraces who they are and meets them exactly where they’re at — with compassion, curiosity, and care.

Axline, V.M. (1974). Play Therapy. New York, NY: Ballentine.

Grant, R.J. (2017). AutPlay Therapy for children and adolescents on the Autistic spectrum . A Behavioural Play-Based Approach. Third Edition. New York, NY: Routledge.

Thornley, S. (2017). The case for offering play therapy to children with profound intellectual disabilities.

Healing Through Play: Addressing Child Anxiety

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 11:44:30 GMT

by Stella Antoniou, Accredited Play Therapist

Throughout my years of working with children, I’ve observed that a significant number of them are referred for anxiety-related concerns. It’s unfortunate to see young minds carrying such burdens at such a sensitive age. Is it the increased awareness, the availability of resources, or perhaps the changing nature of our world? Are our expectations of children now higher than before?

Regardless of the reason, my main goal has always been to ease these symptoms by offering a listening ear and providing a safe space where children can process their experiences.

What’s it like to be anxious at this age

Children often come to the play therapy room with physical symptoms like stomach-aches, headaches, or trouble sleeping, sometimes accompanied by nightmares. Others may become mute, stop eating well, struggle with social interactions, or experience difficulties at school. Being a child in the UAE, and particularly an expat child, comes with its own unique challenges, frequent transitions, cultural adaptation, and a sense of displacement. While the Dubai offers an opportunity to connect with various cultures, this can also be overwhelming for children. Moving between countries or homes can make them feel as though they lack a solid sense of belonging.

How can Play Therapy help

Play is a child’s natural way of communicating. It is their language, a way to express emotions and experiences in a developmentally appropriate manner. Play Therapy is a highly relational form of therapy that hinges on the therapeutic relationship the therapist builds with the child. An experienced Play and child therapist is able to make insightful reflections, guiding the child toward self-awareness and self-help.

Through the power of Play Therapy, children can express their anxieties in creative ways: shaping their feelings with clay, telling their stories through art, navigating relationships in a dollhouse, uncovering hidden fears in a sandtray, or finding comfort and escape in a teepee tent. Each modality offers a unique pathway for self-discovery and emotional growth, empowering children to work through their challenges at their own pace.

Do I "teach" strategies?

While strategies can be helpful for soothing symptoms temporarily, the goal is to resolve the underlying trauma. In Play Therapy sessions, I may discuss coping strategies with my clients as needed, but the focus remains on addressing the root causes of their anxiety and helping them develop long-term resilience.

An evidence based approach

Play Therapy isn’t just a therapeutic approach, it’s one grounded in evidence. Research consistently shows that Play Therapy is highly effective in reducing anxiety in children. For example, Hateli (2021) found that non-directive play therapy significantly lowered anxiety levels in children diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

But the benefits go beyond just easing anxiety. A comprehensive review by Nursanaa and Ady (2020) found that Play Therapy not only reduces anxiety but also strengthens emotional regulation, improves social skills, and boosts academic performance. Play Therapy’s impact extends to a variety of settings. Davidson, Sathya, and Venkatesan (2017) discovered that Play Therapy eased anxiety in hospitalized children, underscoring its effectiveness across different contexts.

As we look at child therapy trends in the UAE, should we be rethinking our approach to therapy for children? Could Play Therapy be the key to helping them heal in a way that feels natural and empowering?

References

Hateli, B. (2021). The effect of non-directive play therapy on reduction of anxiety disorders in young children . https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12420

Nursanaa, W. O., & Ady, I. N. C. (2020). Play Therapy for Children with Anxiety Disorders . Proceedings of the 5th ASEAN Conference on Psychology, Counselling, and Humanities. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.200120.018

Davidson, B., Sathya, N. S., & Venkatesan, L. (2017). Effectiveness of Play Therapy upon Anxiety among Hospitalised Children . International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, 3(5), 441.

What is Play Therapy?

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 13:17:36 GMT

This article outlines the principles, practices, and benefits of Play Therapy, detailing how it serves as an effective therapeutic approach for children, and explaining the core methods and ethical standards that guide our practice.

What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is a specialized psychotherapeutic approach designed for children aged three to twelve. It is particularly effective for those who have experienced early trauma, loss, separation, bereavement, or who struggle with learning difficulties, social, or emotional challenges. Play Therapists operate on the belief that children have the inherent ability to resolve their own internal conflicts. By creating a safe and trusting environment, therapists enable children to work through these issues at a subconscious level.

What Does a Play Therapy Session Look Like?

Play Therapy is a dynamic and creative therapeutic approach that utilizes various expressive tools such as art, music, movement, creative visualizations, therapeutic storytelling, puppets, and sandtray symbols. These techniques help children access unconscious thoughts and emotions, allowing them to communicate through play, a language they inherently understand. This method facilitates self-expression using fantasy play, regression, symbolic meaning, and metaphors.

How Does Play Therapy Help?

In Play Therapy, the therapist supports the child by reflecting, mirroring, and matching the child's thoughts, feelings, and energy, allowing the child to gain insights into their challenges. This process empowers the child to find solutions independently, fostering self-mastery and personal growth.

Benefits of Play Therapy for Children in Dubai

Play Therapy offers a wide range of benefits for children in Dubai, including:

Building self-confidence and self-efficacy
Increasing concentration and focus
Reducing anxiety, fears, and worries
Enhancing self-awareness and understanding of others
Improving social skills and peer relationships

Additionally, Play Therapy helps children in the U.A.E to understand and adapt to changes in their environment, work through difficult emotions, and build a positive internal model that promotes healthy behavior and mental well-being.

Our Guiding Principles in the Play Therapy Centre Dubai

Our therapeutic approach at PTC is centered on integrative and holistic Play Therapy, following the internationally recognized child-centered principles established by Virginia Axline. We are committed to honoring, respecting, valuing, and validating each child. We create a permissive environment, build trusting therapeutic relationships, allow the child to lead, and provide space for self-discovery without rushing the therapeutic process.

Integrated and Holistic Play Therapy Methods in Dubai

Our approach in Dubai allows therapists to select the most appropriate Play Therapy method to suit each child's needs and therapeutic goals. The integrated, holistic model incorporates both directive and non-directive Play Therapy methods, ensuring a personalized and effective experience for every child.

Virginia Axline’s Eight Basic Principles:

Develop a warm, friendly therapeutic alliance with the child
Accept the child as they are
Create a therapeutic environment that fosters permissiveness
Reflect back feelings expressed by the child to gain insight
Show deep respect for the child’s ability to solve their problems
Allow the child to lead the play
Avoid hurrying the therapeutic process
Establish boundaries to anchor therapy in reality

Our Ethical Framework

At PTC, we adhere to international guidelines and the Play Therapy United Kingdom (PTUK) ethical framework, including:

Beneficence
Non-Maleficence
Fidelity and Responsibility
Integrity
Justice
Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity
Autonomy
Supervision and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Self-Respect

By following these ethical standards, we ensure the highest quality of care for children and families in Dubai, promoting positive mental health and emotional well-being.