Gambling Addiction Treatment

I’m grateful to tell you that I provide confidential, individual therapy at NO COST to you. Tribal casinos, local card clubs, CA lottery, and other gambling establishments fund your sessions, allowing you to get something meaningful back after all the time and hard-earned money you've given to them. UCLA Gambling Studies Program has authorized me to provide treatment, beginning with a block of eight sessions. We will complete a thorough history of your gambling and begin to silence the mental obsession and fever that drives your compulsion to gamble.

Although I've extensively researched and studied gambling disorder, this is not just something that I’ve learned from a book. I have been in recovery from gambling addiction for over twenty years and deeply understand the torment and destruction that people experience due to compulsive gambling. This is my passion, and I am committed to helping others discover the excitement and fulfillment of life without gambling through strong clinical knowledge, skill, and personal experience.

Gambling is based on random reward, which is extremely seductive. Recovery will require patience, which is difficult for compulsive gamblers, as they constantly seek instant gratification and the big win. We will manage gambling triggers, including boredom, restlessness, and lack of excitement, and learn to cope with discomfort in healthy ways. As a recovering compulsive gambler, I get it, and I understand you. I have experienced everything that you are going through and understand what works, and just as importantly, what doesn’t. You can speak to me candidly and without having to explain yourself. I understand how difficult it is to accept the losses and the inability to walk away no matter how much you win. Extensive clinical skill is important, but trusting and connecting with someone who truly knows how you feel is essential in recovering from the madness of gambling addiction.

You and your family have experienced overwhelming financial and emotional devastation. Gambling addiction is unlike any other addiction, as gambling promises to solve all of your problems if you just do it long enough. One small win can wipe out all the pain of losing. People with alcohol and drug addiction don't drink or use believing that it will allow them to pay the rent, get out of debt, or do it professionally; gamblers have this hope and belief every time they place a bet.

Like alcohol and drug addiction, compulsive gamblers build tolerance over time and require ever-increasing amounts of money and risk to get high. It doesn’t matter if they’re in it for the adrenaline, the action, to chase the money they lost, or to escape reality; they will always need more: more time, energy, and money. Because they need increasing amounts of money to support their addiction, compulsive gamblers often act in desperation to stay in action, leading to the destruction of careers, homes, personal finances, and family relationships, and ultimately leads to extreme feelings of hopelessness and despair. It's time to rediscover hope and experience peace in your life, and I look forward to working together to make it happen.

Virtual sessions are available for clients throughout California.

Family Members and Loved Ones Affected by Gambling Addiction

Anyone close to a person with a gambling addiction experiences the pain and destruction of their actions. Gamblers create financial and emotional devastation that can feel endless, as the lies pile up one after the other, contributing to increasingly intense anger and resentment. I’m grateful to say that there is healing for you as well, and as an authorized treatment provider for the State of California and UCLA Gambling Studies Program, you can receive this care at NO COST.

I want to share something essential: I often hear from family members that everything will be fine if they can just get their loved one into treatment and if the gambler stops gambling. This may happen, but it will be challenging if the family member hasn’t worked through their pain, anger, and resentment.

I’m not saying that you have a problem with codependency. I’m saying that after all you’ve been through, you’re deserving of healing, support, and protection from the chaos and insanity of gambling. We will work through your feelings and learn to develop healthy boundaries, effective communication skills, and how to practice self-care. Gamblers can make you feel as though you’re losing your mind; we will work together to restore your sanity and increase the possibility that your loved one will get help for their gambling addiction.

Virtual sessions are available for clients throughout California.