Find a Gambling Therapist

Understanding gambling and how it can affect your life

Gambling refers to wagering money or something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome, often with the hope of winning more. For many people, gambling is an occasional pastime that does not cause harm. For others, gambling becomes a pattern that gradually interferes with daily life. When gambling shifts from entertainment to a repeated behavior you feel unable to control, it can affect your relationships, work or school performance, and financial stability. Emotional effects are also common - you may experience anxiety, shame, guilt, or depression as a result of losses or strained connections with loved ones. Recognizing that gambling has taken a troubling place in your life is a meaningful first step toward seeking help.

Signs you might benefit from therapy for gambling

If you find yourself thinking about gambling most of the time, chasing losses to try to get even, or hiding the extent of your gambling from friends and family, these are signs that professional support could be helpful. You might notice that bills are piling up, that you are borrowing or selling possessions to fund gambling, or that your work or academic performance is slipping. Emotional indicators include persistent preoccupation, irritability when not gambling, or using gambling to escape unpleasant feelings. Even if your gambling has not caused major financial or legal consequences yet, therapy can help you understand underlying triggers and build strategies to prevent escalation.

What to expect in therapy for gambling concerns

When you begin therapy for gambling, the first sessions typically focus on assessment and building a working relationship with the therapist. Your clinician will ask about the history of your gambling behavior, its impact on different areas of life, and any co-occurring mental health or substance use concerns. You and your therapist will collaborate to set goals - these might include reducing or stopping gambling, repairing relationships, managing urges, or addressing underlying mood or anxiety symptoms. Therapy sessions often combine practical skills training with exploration of thoughts and feelings that contribute to gambling. You can expect regular check-ins on progress and adjustments to the plan when needed.

Assessment and treatment planning

Assessment may involve questionnaires, discussions about financial and legal impacts, and screening for depression, anxiety, or substance use. Based on this information, your therapist will propose a treatment approach tailored to your goals and circumstances. Treatment plans commonly include a mixture of cognitive and behavioral strategies, motivational work to strengthen readiness for change, and relapse-prevention planning to handle setbacks. Family involvement is sometimes recommended, particularly if relationships have been affected and loved ones are part of the recovery process.

Common therapeutic approaches used for gambling

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most widely used approaches for gambling-related concerns. CBT helps you identify patterns of thinking that lead to risky behavior, challenge those thoughts, and develop alternative responses. Through CBT you learn coping skills for managing urges, problem-solving techniques for high-risk situations, and ways to restructure routines that have reinforced gambling. Motivational interviewing is often used alongside CBT to enhance motivation for change and resolve ambivalence. This approach emphasizes your autonomy and helps you connect values and goals to steps toward recovery.

Other approaches and supports

Acceptance and commitment therapy can be useful if avoidance and uncomfortable emotions drive your gambling. ACT focuses on developing psychological flexibility - noticing urges and feelings without being led by them, and committing to actions aligned with your values. Group therapy offers peer support and shared learning from others who have navigated similar challenges, creating opportunities to practice new skills and reduce isolation. Family or couples therapy can address relationship repair, improve communication, and create a supportive home environment. Relapse-prevention strategies are woven through most treatment models, helping you identify triggers, plan for high-risk moments, and recover with as little disruption as possible when lapses occur.

How online therapy works for gambling concerns

Online therapy has become a common option for people seeking help for gambling. You can meet with a licensed clinician by video, phone, or text-based messaging depending on the provider's offerings. Sessions tend to follow a similar structure to in-person work - assessment, goal setting, skill building, and review - but the convenience of meeting from home makes it easier to maintain regular appointments. You may use screen sharing for worksheets, receive exercises to complete between sessions, and check in via brief messages when needed. For some people, online therapy reduces barriers such as transportation, scheduling conflicts, and concerns about stigma, making it easier to connect with a clinician whose expertise matches your needs.

Practical considerations for online work

Before beginning online therapy, consider where you will have sessions so you can speak freely in a comfortable environment. Test your device and internet connection to reduce interruptions, and ask about session length, fees, cancellation policies, and what to expect in an emergency. Discuss how records and communications are handled so you understand how information is stored and who has access to it. If you prefer in-person care, many therapists offer both options or can suggest local resources.

Tips for choosing the right therapist for gambling

Look for a clinician who explicitly lists gambling or addictive behaviors among their specialties, and who has experience working with people in situations like yours. Ask about their approach to treatment - whether they use cognitive behavioral methods, motivational interviewing, or other evidence-based techniques - and how they measure progress. Consider practical factors such as session availability, fee structure, and whether they accept insurance or offer sliding-scale rates. It is important that you feel heard and respected in the first few sessions; fit and rapport matter as much as credentials. If family or couples work is needed, inquire about the therapist's experience with relationship-focused interventions.

When to seek additional supports

If gambling is accompanied by severe depression, suicidal thoughts, or significant substance use, you should seek immediate help and discuss integrated care options with a clinician. Therapists can coordinate with other professionals, such as financial counselors or legal advisors, to address broader consequences of gambling. Support groups and community resources can supplement therapy by offering peer encouragement and practical tips for managing finances and rebuilding trust with loved ones.

Moving forward

Recovery from problematic gambling is often a gradual process that includes learning new coping skills, repairing relationships, and rebuilding financial stability. You do not have to make big changes all at once - small consistent steps can lead to meaningful improvements. When you are ready to reach out, use the listings above to review clinician profiles, read about approaches and experience, and contact a therapist to ask questions about their work with gambling concerns. Finding a therapist who understands your situation and aligns with your goals can make the journey toward healthier choices more manageable and sustainable.