CBT for Gambling Addiction
CBT for Gambling Addiction is a highly effective way of overcoming the distress caused by your gambling problems.
It is estimated that more than 250,000 people in the UK have developed a gambling problem and collectively spend over £7 Billion a year!
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was developed by Aaron Beck in the 1960’s who noticed that people’s inner-thoughts were often much more significant than the things that they said out loud during therapy.
He called these inner-thoughts cognition and argued that the way that people think about their experiences links directly to the emotions that they feel.
In other words our emotional experiences are a form of behaviour.
These ideas form the central concept of CBT which states that:
The way people think determines the way that they feel.
In the case of Anxiety the emotions that we feel are the direct result of what we think or believe our experiences mean.
Symptoms of a Gambling Addiction
There are a number of signs to look out for if you think you may have an addiction to gambling, including:
- Finding it difficult to stop gambling.
- Spending too much money – often more than you have.
- Becoming increasingly argumentative or defensive about money.
- Losing interest in socialising.
- Constantly thinking about gambling.
- Lying or hiding your habit from other people.
- Gambling to get out of financial trouble.
- Borrowing money, selling items or ignoring bills to fund gambling.
- Risking larger amounts of money to get enough of a ‘buzz’.
- Neglecting your relationships or responsibilities.
If you are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms then you should consider getting in touch to discuss your options.
How does CBT for Gambling Addiction work?
Normally a programme of CBT for Gambling Addiction takes place over a period of 10 to 20 weeks with an hour long session once per week.
Firstly, because the way you think about your day-to-day experiences is determined by your core beliefs, the early sessions of CBT for Gambling Addiction involve exploring and measuring these beliefs.
Secondly, once you are able to uncover your core beliefs, your thoughts about certain experiences will make more sense.
Thirdly, by understanding how you have made sense of your experiences in the past you can then begin to make changes to your thoughts and beliefs in order to create new, and more useful, emotional outcomes.
CBT for Gambling Addiction builds upon the 5 core CBT principles developed by Aaron Beck and are used extensively in our CORE CBT Programme.
How many sessions of CBT will I need?
Whilst this is a diificult question to be precise about, most people will be able to overcome their gambling problems in around 10 sessions.
However, because CBT for Gambling Addiction is always tailored to your own individual needs and circumstances, getting the outcome that you want may sometimes require more sessions.
If you have had gambling problems for many years then in all likelihood, you can reasonably expect to take a bit longer to get where you want to be.
Our CBT for Gambling Addiction programme is based on 10 sessions delivered over 10 weeks and uses an online learning platform for you to develop greater self-awareness and knowledge in the days between sessions.
How much does CBT for Gambling Addiction cost?
Our CBT for Gambling Addiction programme costs £799 which includes access to the online learning platform for a period of 16 weeks, 10 X 1 hour long sessions with Paul at the clinic in Wombourne or, if you prefer, via Zoom video sessions.
Paul is a post-graduate psychologist and holds both BSc. (Hons) and MSc. (Psych) degrees in applied psychology as well as a professional diploma in CBT.
He has been running Lee Psychology with Joan since 2009.
Find out more about CBT for Gambling Addiction.
If you’d like to find out more about our CBT for Gambling Addiction programme, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
We offer all prospective clients FREE initial consultations at the clinic (as well as online) so that you can find out more about our services as well as get the opportunity to discuss your problems before having to commit to any sessions with us.
