Psychological treatments can help people who are experiencing harm from their gambling. The most effective treatments are Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Mindfulness-based treatments, also show promise but need more research. People who stay in treatment and attend more therapy sessions usually have better results.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that teaches people skills to change their unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It teaches people to recognise and change unhelpful thinking patterns, such as believing in “lucky streaks” or chasing losses, and replace them with more realistic and helpful thoughts. CBT also includes practical strategies to help people manage their gambling, like educating them about addiction and how odds and chance work. It also can provide guidance on budgeting and managing money better and encourages people to seek help from family, friends or support groups. Psychologists may also use CBT to help people find practical solutions to gambling-related issues, such as money or relationship troubles, understand their triggers for gambling and create plans to handle setbacks.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a type of counselling that helps people make positive changes in their lives. Instead of giving direct advice, the therapist listens, asks questions, and supports them to find their own reasons to change. MI helps people become more aware of their problems, resolve any uncertainty they have about changing, and encourages positive self-talk. It also helps people feel more confident in their ability to change and increases their motivation and commitment to making lasting changes for a better future.
Mindfulness-based treatments help people focus on the present moment without judgment. They teach skills like deep breathing, meditation, and awareness of thoughts and feelings. These treatments can reduce stress, improve selfcontrol, and help people respond to challenges in a calmer, healthier way.