Compulsive Gambling Treatment

Over the years, I have seen many clients with compulsive gambling. There are many different types of gambling, but the rudiments of the problem are the same. In each case, the client has become stuck in a specific anticipatory way of thinking and can’t get out of this cycle of behaviour. Their whole world literally revolves around the buzz and anticipation of the next gamble.

Interestingly, compulsive gamblers are the most likely group of people to enquire about help, but then not follow through with an appointment unless the problem has become quite severe. When this happens, it’s the family members and friends who make the call for help. I have had very good success with compulsive gamblers, and such clients can be teenagers all the way through to sixty-year-olds. The key is to identify and change the problematic ways of thinking that create the feelings that, in turn, trigger the behaviour. Simply talking about the subject, in my experience, is a waste of time, as it doesn’t change how the person feels, and the intense feeling is what drives the compulsion.

There are lots of misconceptions about compulsive gambling and the key to any resolution is to change the whole think – feel – behavioural sequence. Such individuals are usually “quick thinkers” and often in denial about the implications of their behaviour, which often affects family and friends. In this internet age, the problem of compulsive gambling is amplified by the fact that people can engage in this behaviour 24/7. I have had clients who have literally lost tens of thousands of pounds through this habit.

I ask for payment up front for these sessions, and compulsive gamblers are easily distracted. To help them, I need to know they are serious and committed to changing this problematic behaviour. Most clients require 2-3 sessions, and I always record each session, which helps accelerate the change process.