Problem and Compulsive Gambling

A smashed pink piggy bank.

Help is Available if Gambling is Affecting Your Life

If someone in your life has been talking to you, pressuring you, or confronting you about your gambling, we imagine that you are feeling frustrated, angry, trapped, and alone. At the same time, you may think that even if you wanted to cut down or stop, you can’t.

You’ve probably tried in the past to quit, only to find yourself back online, at the casino, or playing in the video game cafe. This time, it can be different. This time, if you seek help, you won’t be doing it all alone. We can help you make sense of what has happened and develop a plan to change your relationship with gambling. Together, we can get you out and away from the pain and pressure you feel.

If you, like many people who experience problem gambling, want the pressure, worry, fear, and pain to stop, but you have no idea how to make that happen, talk to us. We can provide support, guidance, and solutions through gambling treatment.

Therapy for Compulsive Gambling

Compulsive gambling can cause severe financial difficulties, strained relationships, legal issues, loss of employment, and overwhelming emotional distress. With a Certified Gambling Counselor, you can learn ways to reduce your stress and rebuild trust and your relationships.

Compulsive or problem gambling can affect anyone.

Maybe you’ve done things you’re not proud of or things you never thought you’d do or were capable of doing. Perhaps you’ve lied to the people you love, taken money that wasn’t yours, racked up your credit cards and obtained more of them, taken out cash advances, or perhaps even borrowed money from family and friends. Maybe you applied for and received another mortgage without telling your spouse, cleared out your 401K or kid’s college fund, or stole from your employer. If you have done one, some, or all of these, you also likely broke a promise to yourself that you wouldn’t allow your gambling to become this bad.

A man looks perplexed as he does some calculations.

Like all people who have the need to keep gambling, you’ve done things you aren’t proud of so you could gamble. Perhaps you feel you are in too deep with debt and may even have experienced suicidal thoughts. It’s completely expectable to feel disappointed in yourself, ashamed, embarrassed, desperate, or guilty. But, you don’t have to continue to suffer and stay stuck.

Problem and Compulsive Gambling Counseling

Therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, support groups, counseling, 0r financial guidance, plays a crucial role in addressing the underlying issues, developing coping strategies, and supporting individuals on their journey to recovery from problem gambling and/or a gambling disorder.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a person-centered approach that focuses on helping individuals identify and resolve ambivalence about behavior change. Your therapist works with you to explore feelings and thoughts around problematic behavior and helps you identify your motivations and commitment to change.

A couple lays in a hammock, smiling at their daughter.

Hope and Help is Available

You can dig your way back out of the deep pit you may feel stuck in. The painful feelings, stressful situations, obsessive thoughts, and unending pressure you feel can stop. There is hope, there is help, and it’s all available to you. You can and will feel better.

You are not alone. If you’ve lied, stolen, or manipulated, you are not a bad person – you are a person struggling with chaotic feelings and impulsive behaviors. Your problem gambling is treatable.

Although the pressures you are under are extremely heavy and you may not think anyone will understand, we do. Our certified gambling counselors have been helping people just like you for over the past 20 years. We encourage you to take a step toward change and hope and away from pressure by ending your gambling cycle. Reach out to us today.


Meet our Therapists

At Health and Healing Therapy, our Problem and Compulsive Gambling Counseling Specialists will work with you to manage the pressure, stress, or loss you are experiencing and help you rebuild your life.

A quiet office with two round teal chairs.

There is hope, there is help, and it’s all available to you.

You are worthy, and you can live the life you want and deserve.