Gambling counselling: 4 ways to access it and what each involves

Counselling gives you a confidential space to talk about gambling and the patterns that keep you stuck. Sessions can be face-to-face, over the phone or online, and some are free. The rest of this guide explains how to arrange counselling through AJAG, what different approaches involve and what to ask before your first session.

Free counselling through GamCare and Gordon Moody

GamCare offers free counselling across England, Scotland and Wales. You can arrange sessions by calling the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or through their website at gamcare.org.uk. Sessions are available face-to-face in some areas, by phone and online. You do not need a referral from your GP.

Gordon Moody runs residential treatment programmes and online support at gordonmoody.org.uk. Their residential programme lasts several weeks and includes group therapy, one-to-one counselling and help with practical tasks such as budgeting and debt.

Both organisations work with people at any stage. You do not need to have stopped gambling to start.

Counselling through your GP

Your GP can refer you to NHS talking therapies. The wait varies by area; some services see people within a few weeks, others take longer. Ask your GP which service covers your area and what the current waiting time is.

NHS counsellors use cognitive behavioural therapy or similar approaches. Sessions focus on what keeps the behaviour going and how to change it. Not all NHS therapists specialise in gambling, so ask whether the person you are referred to has experience of it.

Private counselling

Private counsellors charge between £40 and £120 per session, depending on location and experience. Sessions usually last fifty minutes and most people attend weekly at first. You can find counsellors through the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or Counselling Directory, both of which let you filter by specialism.

Before booking, check the counsellor is registered with a professional body and insured. Ask whether they have worked with people who gamble before, what approach they use and how long treatment usually lasts.

What different approaches involve

Different counsellors use different methods. The table below compares three common ones.

Some counsellors combine approaches. The method matters less than whether you feel heard and whether the sessions help you make changes.

Steps to arrange your first session

1. Decide whether you want free or paid counselling, and whether you prefer face-to-face, phone or online sessions.
2. Contact GamCare, Gordon Moody or your GP for free counselling, or search a counselling directory for private options.
3. Ask how soon you can start, how long sessions last and whether there is a waiting list.
4. Book your first session and write down two or three things you want to talk about.
5. Attend the session and afterwards decide whether this counsellor feels right; if not, ask to see someone else.

What to ask before you commit

Before your first session, ask the counsellor or service how many sessions they recommend, whether they have worked with gambling before and what their cancellation policy is. If you are paying privately, ask whether they charge for missed sessions and whether they offer a lower fee if money is tight.

Ask what happens if you gamble during treatment. Some counsellors expect you to stop first; others work with you while you are still gambling. Knowing this early avoids confusion later.

If you have debts or other worries

Tell the counsellor at the start if you have debts, relationship problems or worries about work. Gambling rarely sits on its own, and a good counsellor will help you think about what to tackle first. You can read more about managing gambling debt and arranging self-exclusion while you are waiting for your first appointment.

What happens after the first session

The counsellor will usually suggest a plan: how often to meet, what you will work on and how long it might take. Most people attend weekly at first, then move to fortnightly sessions as things improve.

Some people see a counsellor for a few weeks; others continue for months. The length depends on what else is going on in your life and how deep the habit runs.

If the first counsellor does not feel right

Not every counsellor suits every person. If the first session feels uncomfortable or unhelpful, ask to see someone else. This is common and does not mean counselling will not work for you.

Combining counselling with peer support

Some people attend counselling and a peer group at the same time. Gamblers Anonymous runs free meetings across the UK where people talk about their own experiences. The two approaches work well together: counselling helps you understand patterns, and meetings give you a group of people who know what it feels like.

You can find GA meetings at gamblersanonymous.org.uk. Meetings follow a set format and most run weekly. You do not need to book, and you can attend as many or as few as you like. If you are thinking about stopping gambling on your own, combining both routes gives you more support.

Getting help today

If you need to talk to someone now, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The line is free and open around the clock. You can also contact BeGambleAware at begambleaware.org for information and support.

GamStop at gamstop.co.uk lets you block yourself from gambling sites licensed in Great Britain, and blocking software such as Gamban (gamban.com) and BetBlocker (betblocker.org) stops gambling sites loading on your devices. Online gambling is for people aged 18 and over.

Three things you can do this week

Asking for help is hard, but waiting rarely makes things easier. Start small: the first step does not commit you to anything.

• Call the National Gambling Helpline and ask what free counselling is available in your area.
• Write down what you want from counselling – what you hope will change and what feels hardest right now.
• Book your first session, and if it feels wrong afterwards, ask to see someone else before you give up.

This article is for general information only. AJAG is an information site; we do not sell any goods or services. Online gambling is for people aged 18 and over. For free, confidential support visit BeGambleAware.org.

#Counselling #Peer support #Recovery

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