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
Angela Neary, BACP
Ref 109659
Experienced person-centred counsellor with practical support
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingSiyue Zhang, AASW
Ref 243585
Calm, practical therapy focused on real-life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Mandarin
View listingJennifer Hughes, NCPS
Ref 187476
Warm, practical therapy for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingYumi Lemaster, LCSW
Ref 2633
Skilled, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse 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 listingJonathan Wilkes, BACP
Ref 123145
Calm listening with practical skills
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Grief Languages: English
View listingJonathan Stuart, NCPS
Ref 175272
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingDawn Nunney, NCPS
Ref 97317
Compassionate person-centred counselling with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingDebbie Griffin, NCPS
Ref 183398
Calm guidance for stress and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingShannon Mott, LCSW
Ref 108724
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingTammy Russell, LMHC
Ref 181426
Compassionate, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAnna Gilmore, BACP
Ref 109642
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Eating Languages: English
View listingMarilee Frazier, LPC
Ref 257654
Compassionate counselor for adults seeking practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJill Malcolm, BACP
Ref 231136
Gentle practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJennifer Mcpherson (Norman), BACP
Ref 161239
Experienced relationship and trauma counsellor
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMatt Lightfoot, NCPS
Ref 193161
Person-centred counsellor who values meaning and choice
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingMark McConnell, BACP
Ref 208651
Practical support for stress and change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingDale Thompson, LCSW, CSW
Ref 341301
Practical, experienced help for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDarla McAdams, LPC
Ref 58935
Practical, person-focused counseling in Missouri
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT Languages: English
View listingDr. Heidi Duong, LMHC
Ref 185659
Helping people rebuild meaning and balance
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Eating Languages: English
View listingRutanya Simon, LICSW, LCSW
Ref 124510
Practical, compassionate therapy for real-life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family Languages: English
View listingKerrie McCabe, BACP
Ref 128546
Compassionate counsellor blending listening with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDonna Khan, LMSW
Ref 29669
Experienced social worker focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJosephine Sultana, AASW
Ref 309775
Compassionate social worker blending therapy and lifestyle care
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Sleeping Languages: English
View listingSidonia Stiles, BACP
Ref 101572
Experienced counsellor for relationships and grief
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingLouise Wood, BACP
Ref 128568
Support to manage stress, trauma and change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKalpna Kerai, BACP
Ref 165701
Calm, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDouglas Strange, LPC
Ref 126902
Practical counseling grounded in life experience
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingCynthia Gladyness, LMSW
Ref 44827
Practical, steady support for life's hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingEdward Mcguinness, BACP
Ref 263954
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJay Cook, NCPS
Ref 200361
Compassionate counsellor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDebby Sawyer, LIMHP
Ref 236392
Experienced, practical help for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDaniel Windemer, NCPS
Ref 173238
Calm, practical counselling to help you move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingRobert Marshall, BACP
Ref 116379
Person-centred counsellor with practical focus
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingJoanne Fabrick, LPC
Ref 148298
Experienced Texas counselor focused on practical growth
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAngeline Walton (Tabbada), NCPS
Ref 201900
Compassionate support for stress, grief and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family Languages: English
View listingKathryn Dowds, BACP
Ref 210914
Compassionate counsellor who honours your story
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief Languages: English
View listingLouise Fielder, BACP
Ref 137857
Calm client-centred counselling for practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingDr. William Cook, BACP, NCPS
Ref 167158
Supportive counsellor for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Spanish, French
View listingSherylann Davies, BACP
Ref 115972
Compassionate, practical support for difficult life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingWai Kan, BACP
Ref 164673
Practical, values-led support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingWayland Smith, LCSW
Ref 168040
Experienced LCSW focusing on practical coping strategies
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family 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 listingHelen Hutton, BACP
Ref 260053
Experienced person-centred counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingCarolyn Faucette, LISW
Ref 143321
Compassionate, practical therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingSharan Thiara, BACP
Ref 139408
Compassionate practical support for life’s hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDebra Fitzgerald, LPC-MHSP
Ref 207258
Compassionate counselor for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDawn Maria Spradley, LPC
Ref 212130
Calm, practical support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
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.