About gambling
This page lists therapists who focus on gambling-related concerns, offering a range of approaches, credentials, languages and practice descriptions. Browse the profiles below to learn about clinical focuses and styles and to identify options that may fit your needs.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether gambling is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has gambling among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for gambling
Savithri (Savi) Jayaweera, NCPS
Ref 151058
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Hindi, Sinhala
View listingSheira Byrne, BACP, NCPS
Ref 182668
Practical, compassionate support for overwhelming problems
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingJames French, BACP
Ref 203032
Practical support for anxiety and life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingTomasz Konieczny, BACP, NCPS
Ref 199992
Practical, compassionate online counselling
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English, Polish
View listingClement West, BACP
Ref 167549
Gentle, practical support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingNicola Claydon, NCPS
Ref 183763
Calm, practical support for complex life issues
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingRichard Gordon-Smith , NCPS
Ref 120083
Straightforward, experienced counsellor for complex issues
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingWellington Cesar Assis Bueno, BACP
Ref 226813
Healing emotions, building clearer choices
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingJoanne Rothery, NCPS
Ref 179003
Compassionate counsellor for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingFrank Centonze, LPC
Ref 297421
Direct, practical counseling for emotional recovery
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingFaryal Choudry, LCSW
Ref 266995
Compassionate guidance for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDestiny York, LPC
Ref 340789
Compassionate, practical counseling for life changes
Works with: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingMichael Witham, LPC
Ref 56161
Practical, person-focused counseling for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingRev. Catherine Bogue, LCSW
Ref 168255
Compassionate guidance for life’s hard changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDianna Wheeler, LPC
Ref 354614
Practical support for healing and stronger coping skills
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMaria Wilson, LCSW
Ref 138055
Understanding, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingFaye Noyland, BACP
Ref 176481
Calm, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingGerry Byrne, BACP
Ref 224563
Practical, collaborative therapy for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDonna Watts, BACP
Ref 219020
Compassionate, practical support for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingKelley Sullivan, LCSW
Ref 526
Compassionate, practical therapy for real life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Spanish
View listingDr. Robert Hunt, LPC
Ref 187307
Experienced therapist for life changes and emotion work
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingPatrick Gribel, LMHC
Ref 348422
Therapist focused on depth and steady change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingSally Henderson, ACA, PACFA
Ref 224972
Compassionate trauma and addiction counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingSusan Sigl, LPC
Ref 82483
Experienced counselor focusing on practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRines Shanthakumar, BACP
Ref 251123
Practical, relational counselling for life’s challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English, Tamil
View listingChris Rottcher, NCPS
Ref 167547
Compassionate integrative counsellor for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Afrikaans
View listingRani Sagar, BACP
Ref 180509
Gentle humanistic counselling for life changes
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingChase Carter, LCSW
Ref 330670
Skilled LCSW focused on relationships and recovery
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingPeter Bramhill, BACP
Ref 236747
Practical, compassionate counselling for life’s challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJatindar Bhogal, BACP
Ref 116956
Calm, experienced support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Punjabi
View listingBrittany Meredith, LCPC
Ref 310847
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingFiona Scotland, BACP
Ref 147790
Calm practical counselling for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingEu’Lina Smith, LPC
Ref 325643
Practical support for everyday emotional challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Anger Languages: English
View listingKeith Brown, LCSW-R
Ref 74478
Collaborative, practical therapy for real life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Depression Languages: English
View listingMichele San Martin, LPC
Ref 84464
Therapist who offers steady practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingLaDreamer Harrison, LCSW
Ref 267200
Supportive LCSW helping people find practical change
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDeborah Davis, LCMHC
Ref 232611
Practical support for addiction and life change
Works with: Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJoel Miranda, LPC
Ref 152518
Practical, person-focused counseling for life challenges
Works with: Relationship, Grief, Anger Languages: English, Spanish
View listingLowell Wallace, LCSW
Ref 21197
Person-centered therapy focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Anger Languages: English
View listingKimberley Roberts, LCSW, CSW
Ref 103862
Practical support for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJai Pitre, LCSW, CSW
Ref 144830
Practical therapy grounded in client strengths
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMarc (Mac) McCormack, BACP
Ref 137076
Practical, person-centred support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingLinda Pollack, LPC
Ref 59084
Experienced Arizona counselor focusing on coping and change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingVictoria Bowker, NCPS
Ref 293367
Calm, practical counselling for life’s hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingWilliam Signey, BACP
Ref 113870
Practical, person-focused counselling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingCora Benedict, LMFT
Ref 143297
Compassionate practical therapy for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingIoana Mitrache, BACP
Ref 144658
Practical, relational counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Romanian
View listingMore about gambling
Understanding gambling and how it affects people
Gambling refers to wagering money or valuables on events with uncertain outcomes, and for many people it is a form of recreation. For some, however, gambling can become a pattern that interferes with relationships, work, finances and emotional health. The experience of problematic gambling varies widely - some people cycle through periods of heavy betting and regret, while others find that betting slowly consumes time, savings and attention. Emotional factors such as boredom, loneliness, stress and the desire to escape discomfort can all play a role. Financial consequences may be obvious, but the less visible effects - shame, secrecy, changes in self-image and strained relationships - are often just as significant.
Because gambling touches both behavioral patterns and emotional coping strategies, it rarely exists in isolation. You may notice co-occurring issues such as anxiety, depression, substance use, impulsivity or relationship conflict. Therapy for gambling-related concerns typically addresses both the behavior itself and the emotional or situational drivers that maintain it. Approaching the issue this way can help reduce harm, restore daily functioning and build more sustainable coping skills.
Recognizing signs that therapy may help
It can be difficult to judge when gambling has moved from a casual pastime to a problem that would benefit from professional attention. You may be prompted to seek help if gambling causes repeated losses that affect bills, housing or basic responsibilities. Emotional indicators include intense anxiety or irritability when not gambling, persistent preoccupation with betting activities, or using gambling as a primary way to manage difficult feelings. Social signs can include withdrawing from friends and family, hiding financial transactions, or experiencing frequent relationship conflict tied to betting behavior.
Other warning signs include unsuccessful attempts to cut back, spending longer periods than intended on gambling, or turning to loans and risky financial moves to continue betting. If the pattern is affecting your work performance or your sense of self, therapy can offer a space to explore underlying causes and develop alternative strategies. Seeking help does not require a crisis; many people find therapy useful when they first notice their gambling is creating stress or friction in daily life.
What to expect in therapy for gambling concerns
When you start therapy for gambling-related issues, sessions typically begin with a collaborative assessment in which you and the therapist review your history, current patterns and goals. This early phase is an opportunity to discuss the role gambling plays in your life, the consequences you are experiencing, and what you hope to change. From there, a plan is usually developed that is tailored to your needs - some people focus on stopping or reducing betting activity, while others emphasize improving financial management, repairing relationships or addressing co-occurring mental health symptoms.
Typical session structure and early focus
Initial sessions often include building rapport and establishing practical safety measures around money and access to funds, followed by learning strategies to manage urges and triggers. You may work on identifying situations, moods or thoughts that lead to gambling and on developing alternative responses. Sessions also tend to involve practical problem-solving around immediate consequences, such as dealing with creditors, restructuring household finances or setting boundaries with family members. Over time, therapy usually shifts toward skill-building and relapse prevention planning so you can sustain gains.
Working on emotions and behavior
Therapy addresses both the behavior of gambling and the emotions that feed it. You may explore patterns of thinking that support risky bets, such as illusions of control or beliefs about luck. Therapists often help you practice coping skills for anxiety, boredom or shame so that gambling is no longer the primary response to distress. Additionally, therapy can include work on rebuilding trust in relationships, improving communication, and restoring routines that support well-being.
Common therapeutic approaches used for gambling-related help
There is no single approach that fits everyone, and many therapists combine elements from different models. You will often find clinicians who list cognitive behavioral therapy among their approaches; this framework emphasizes identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Motivational approaches are commonly used to strengthen commitment to change by exploring ambivalence and cultivating personal reasons for modifying gambling behavior. Therapists who list acceptance-based or mindfulness approaches among their methods may focus on noticing urges without acting on them and on increasing tolerance for uncomfortable emotions.
Other approaches that appear in therapist profiles include interpersonal methods that examine how relationships influence gambling, and family-oriented strategies that involve partners or relatives in treatment when appropriate. Some clinicians mention harm reduction as a focus, which may mean working to limit the negative consequences of gambling rather than insisting on complete abstinence. If specific techniques are important to you, look for providers who list those approaches in their profiles and read their descriptions to understand how they apply them in practice.
How online therapy works for gambling support
Online therapy can be a practical way to access gambling-focused care, especially if in-person options are limited in your area. Remote sessions typically take place through video calls, phone sessions, or text-based messaging platforms offered by therapists. The format allows you to connect with clinicians who offer particular specializations, languages or approaches that might not be available locally. You can expect the same core elements as in-person work - assessment, goal-setting, skill-building and ongoing review of progress - adapted to a digital context.
Choosing online therapy involves thinking about the technical and environmental aspects of care. You will want to arrange a quiet, comfortable environment for sessions and ensure you have reliable internet or phone access. Many people appreciate the convenience of scheduling sessions without travel time, which can make consistent participation easier. Online work also makes it possible to involve family members who live elsewhere or to combine therapy with local financial counseling and support services if needed.
Choosing the right therapist for gambling concerns
Finding a therapist who fits your needs involves more than identifying a specialty label. Consider the approaches a clinician lists and whether those methods resonate with the way you prefer to work. Look at credentials and professional background to understand clinical orientation, and note languages or cultural competency statements that may matter for rapport. Read profile descriptions to get a sense of how a therapist frames gambling-related work - whether they emphasize behavioral strategies, emotional processing, relationship repair, or harm reduction.
Practical matters also matter. Think about session format preferences - video, phone, or in-person if available in your area - and any constraints related to scheduling or cost. Clarifying questions you might ask in an initial contact include how the therapist typically structures gambling-focused treatment, whether they involve family members, and what kinds of outcomes they aim to help clients achieve. Trust your sense of fit; a therapist who listens and explains a clear plan for working with gambling-related issues is often easier to engage with over time. Remember that finding the right match can make a significant difference in how comfortable you feel addressing this sensitive topic and in the progress you make.