Psychological treatments can help you manage your gambling and include Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and mindfulness-based treatments.
Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy teaches you how to change unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This includes:
- recognising and changing unhelpful thinking patterns, such as believing in “lucky streaks” or chasing losses, and replacing them with more realistic and helpful thoughts
- practical strategies to help you manage your gambling, such as information on addiction and how odds and chance work
- guidance on budgeting and managing money
- encouraging you to seek help from family, friends or support groups.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy can also help you find practical strategies for gambling-related issues, such as money or relationship troubles, understand their triggers for gambling and create plans to handle setbacks.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing is a type of counselling where psychologists’ or other therapists encourage you to find your own reasons to change rather than asking you direct questions. This method helps you to:
- become more aware of your problems, resolve any uncertainties you have about change, and encourage positive self-talk
- feel more confident in your ability to change
- feel more motivated and committed to make lasting and positive changes for a better future.
Mindfulness-based treatments
Mindfulness-based treatments help you focus on the present moment through skills such as deep breathing, meditation and awareness of thoughts and feelings. This can help to reduce stress, improve self-control, and help you respond to challenges in a calmer, healthier way.
Interested to know more?
The Australian Psychological Society has information on psychological care for people experiencing gambling harm, including affected family members and friends.
