Gambling Counselling – Regain Control and Restore Stability
Gambling can start as entertainment—but then it begins to take more than it gives.
If you're finding it hard to stop, feeling stressed or overwhelmed, or hearing concerns from others, it might be time to talk to someone.
Mark Holland is a clinical counsellor with both lived experience and professional training supporting people with gambling concerns. Mark understands the frustration of being caught in a cycle of secrecy and distrust stemming from gambling addiction. He knows what it is like to feel overwhelmed, ashamed, and isolated. Mark understands the consequences of estranged relationships and mounting financial debts.
Clients of Marks are seeking to reconnect with family and restore trust and financial stability. They often feel a sense of urgency due to the pain caused, relationships falling apart, and feeling as though they are losing everything they value.
Through the implementation of structured recovery programs, financial management techniques, and communication strategies it is possible to renew trust and stability, feel hopeful and deeply connected to loved ones again.
Mark provides confidential, non-judgmental counselling for gambling-related stress both in-person and online. Speak with Mark to learn how to get control of your life and build the one you deserve.
MORE INFO
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You may have been surprised at how quickly gambling shifted from an enjoyable escape to a dangerous obsession. The signs may not have been obvious at first, but may have 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 people you love
Experience stress 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 for help is a good first step.
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Gambling impacts everyone — family, spouses, 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.
Mark Holland offers counselling for family members impacted by gambling to help:
Set healthy boundaries
Improve communication
Manage feelings of guilt or blame
Focus on your own well-being
Create strategies to offer support for the person gambling
Support for affected others is just as important as support for the person gambling — everyone deserves care and understanding.
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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.
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I combine professional training with lived experience. 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.
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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.
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While everyone’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
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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.
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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.
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Do I have to stop gambling completely to come to counselling?
Not necessarily. Some clients want to reduce gambling rather than stop entirely. We’ll work with your goals, whether that’s complete abstinence or harm reduction.
Is gambling counselling confidential?
Yes. All sessions are private and confidential, within the limits of professional ethics and legal requirements.
Can counselling help if I’ve tried to quit and relapsed before?
Relapse is part of the process. Counselling can help you understand what led to it and establish a plan to prevent it in the future.
How many sessions will I need?
Within 10-12 sessions I will set you up with a plan that will allow you to sustain progress and allow you to work towards your goals independently.
Can family members attend sessions with me?
Yes. Family and/or couples sessions can help with communication and rebuilding trust and can be a helpful part of the recovery process.