How Do I Find a Therapist for My Child's Gambling Problem?
When we first realized something was wrong, most of us had no idea where to turn. Our regular doctor didn’t know much about gambling addiction. The school counselor hadn’t dealt with it before. And Googling “gambling therapist near me” felt like shouting into the void.
But here’s the thing—finding someone who understands gambling addiction really does make a difference. This isn’t something you can just talk through with any therapist. Gambling has its own patterns, its own tricks, its own way of rewiring how a young person thinks about money, risk, and winning. You want someone who’s seen it before.
What to Look For
The gold standard is a therapist with ICGC credentials—that’s International Certified Gambling Counselor. These folks have done the training, passed the exam, and actually worked with gamblers and their families. It’s not just a line on their resume.
You can search for certified counselors through the NCPG Gambling Counselor Directory or the IPGGC directory.
Some states also have their own gambling counselor certifications, and a few even offer free counseling sessions—worth checking what’s available where you live.
Evergreencpg.org’s National and State Certification Programs
Can’t find a gambling specialist? A therapist trained in addiction or co-occurring mental health issues can still be helpful, especially if they’re willing to learn alongside you.
Where to Look
Ask around. If you have a doctor, counselor, or anyone in the mental health world you trust, ask if they know someone. You can also ask other parents in the Parents Standing Together Facebook group or in support group meetings—sometimes the best recommendations come from people who’ve been in your shoes.
Psychology Today. You can search by location and filter by specialty at psychologytoday.com. Gambling is a choice offered, but if you cannot find one, then try searching for addiction.
Certified Gambling Counselors. Search for therapists who are specifically certified in problem gambling treatment. International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification (IPGGC)
State helplines. Your state may have resources or referrals you don’t know about. You can find your state’s helpline at ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/help-by-state.
What Happens in Therapy
Therapy for gambling addiction isn’t just talking about feelings—though that’s part of it. A good therapist helps your child understand why they gamble. What triggers the urge? What emotional need is gambling filling—escape, excitement, numbing pain, or a sense of control? Once they can identify what it’s really providing, they can begin to develop healthier ways to meet that need.
A lot of young people with gambling problems are also dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or past trauma. Sometimes, the gambling started as a way to manage those things. Therapy can address what’s underneath the gambling, not just the gambling itself.
Your child will also work on practical skills—how to handle urges when they come up, how to manage stress without turning to gambling, and how to rebuild a life that feels meaningful without gambling. That last part matters more than people realize. For many young people, gambling became their identity, their social world, their source of excitement. Recovery means figuring out who they are without it.
Eventually, therapy should include building a relapse prevention plan—knowing their warning signs, having a support system in place, and understanding that slips don’t have to become full relapses if they’re caught early.
Family Therapy
Something a lot of parents don’t think about at first: therapy isn’t just for the person gambling. Family therapy can be one of the most effective tools out there, especially with young people—because the family is usually still deeply involved in their lives, whether that’s emotionally, financially, or both.
Gambling doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It affects everyone in the family. The lying, the missing money, the walking on eggshells, the arguments. By the time most of us figure out what’s going on, the whole family dynamic is tangled up in it. Family therapy helps untangle that.
A family therapist can help you communicate in ways that don’t escalate into arguments or shut down entirely. They can guide you through rebuilding trust—which takes time and can’t be rushed. And they can help you find that difficult balance between supporting your child’s recovery and not taking over or enabling.
You’ll also get a chance to talk about your own experience. Many of us have been lied to, stolen from, and manipulated. Those wounds are real, and they don’t just disappear because your child is getting help. Family therapy creates space to acknowledge the hurt while still working toward healing.
Some therapists use an approach called CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training), which is specifically designed to help families. It teaches you how to respond to your child in ways that encourage them to seek treatment—without ultimatums or blowing up the relationship. It’s been a game-changer for many families.
Even if your child won’t go to individual therapy yet, they might agree to a family session. Sometimes it feels less threatening—like it’s not all about them and their “problem.” And sometimes that’s the door that opens everything else.
Some professionals specialize in working with families affected by gambling addiction—helping parents understand the disorder, set effective boundaries, and create structured action plans that hold their child accountable. It’s not about forcing someone into treatment; it’s about giving the whole family the tools to support recovery and stop the patterns that keep everyone stuck. Ask in the Parents Standing Together Facebook support group or at support meetings for recommendations.
If Your Child Isn’t Ready
This is more common than you’d think. Your kid might refuse therapy, insist they don’t have a problem, or agree to go and then back out. It’s frustrating. It’s heartbreaking. And it doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Go yourself. It’s not giving up on your kid—it’s making sure you can keep showing up for them. A therapist who understands gambling addiction and family dynamics can help you figure out how to respond, how to set boundaries that actually stick, and how to take care of yourself through all of this.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. And you don’t have to wait until your child is ready to find help for yourself.
Parents Standing Together provides peer support only – not therapy, medical care, counseling, or legal advice. No professional services or treatment are offered. For any medical, legal, financial, or mental health concerns, please consult a qualified professional. If you or your child is in crisis, call 988 and seek professional help immediately.