Gambling Counselling & Support – Regain Control and Restore Balance

Many people are surprised at how quickly gambling can shift from an enjoyable pastime to a difficult habit. The signs aren’t always obvious at first, but over time, they can become harder to ignore.

You may:

• Spend more time or money gambling than you intended

• Feel anxious, guilty, or out of control

• Use gambling to cope with stress, loneliness, or boredom

• Hide the extent of your gambling from loved ones

• Experience tension or conflict in relationships

• Feel financial pressure due to gambling losses

• Want to change but feel unsure where to start

If these sound familiar, know that you’re not alone — and that change is possible. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Problem gambling doesn’t just affect the individual — it can deeply impact family members, partners, and close friends. Loved ones often experience feelings of anger, betrayal, anxiety, and exhaustion. They may feel pressured to “fix” the problem or to constantly monitor the gambler’s behaviour.

I offer counselling for family members impacted by gambling to help you:

• Set healthy boundaries

• Improve communication

• Manage feelings of guilt or blame

• Focus on your own well-being

• Learn strategies to support without enabling

Support for loved ones is just as important as support for the person gambling — both deserve care and understanding.

Counselling provides a safe, confidential space to talk openly about your experiences with gambling without fear of judgment. Together, we’ll explore:

• What’s keeping the cycle going

• Triggers and underlying emotional patterns

• How gambling impacts your mental health, finances, and relationships

• Strategies for reducing or stopping gambling

• Tools for long-term relapse prevention

My role is not to tell you what to do, but to work alongside you — helping you make choices that align with your goals and values.

I combine professional training with lived experience supporting people through gambling-related challenges. My approach is supportive, respectful, and evidence-informed, drawing from:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): To identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns.

• Motivational Interviewing: To help you explore your readiness for change and strengthen your commitment to it.

• Psychoeducation: Understanding gambling behaviour, risk factors, and brain responses.

• Attachment-Based Therapy: Exploring emotional needs and relationship patterns linked to gambling behaviour.

• Relapse Prevention: Building strategies and support systems to maintain progress over time.

Whether you’re in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, or a smaller BC community, you can access online gambling counselling from the privacy of your home. Virtual sessions are convenient, confidential, and flexible — making it easier to start whenever you’re ready.

I work with:

• Individuals who want to reduce or stop gambling.

• People concerned about their gambling habits but unsure if they have an “addiction”.

• Family members and loved ones affected by someone else’s gambling.

• Clients seeking a safe, supportive space to talk through challenges without stigma.

While every client’s journey is unique, some common goals include:

• Reducing or stopping gambling

• Repairing trust in relationships

• Managing urges and cravings

• Finding healthier coping strategies

• Addressing financial stress

• Building new hobbies and interests

• Improving emotional regulation

In your first session, we’ll focus on getting to know each other and understanding your situation. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. We’ll discuss your goals for counselling and begin creating a plan tailored to your needs.

There’s no pressure, no lectures, and no judgment — just support and practical steps forward.

If you’re looking for gambling addiction help in BC, I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can see if working together feels like the right fit. You can ask questions, share your concerns, and get a sense of how counselling could help.

Contact me today or visit our booking page to get started.

Q: Do I have to stop gambling completely to come to counselling?

A: Not necessarily. Some clients aim to reduce gambling rather than stop entirely. We’ll work with your goals, whether that’s complete abstinence or harm reduction.

Q: Is gambling counselling confidential?

A: Yes. All sessions are private and confidential, within the limits of professional ethics and legal requirements.

Q: Can counselling help if I’ve tried to quit before and relapsed?

A: Absolutely. Relapse can be part of the change process, and counselling can help you understand what led to it and how to prevent it in the future.

Q: How many sessions will I need?

A: It varies. Some people benefit from short-term, focused support, while others prefer longer-term therapy. We’ll decide together what’s best for you.

Q: Can family members attend sessions with me?

A: Yes, if you choose. Family or couples sessions can sometimes help with communication and rebuilding trust.