Problem Gambling: A Guide for Helping Professionals

Problem Gambling: A Guide for Helping Professionals
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Talking about Gambling
As a helping professional, you probably provide services to people
with gambling problems. People with gambling problems often access
services for health, social, emotional, marital or financial concerns well
before seeking counselling for a gambling problem.
You are in a position to identify people who may be experiencing
problems with gambling, to support their efforts to change and to
connect them to problem gambling resources.
how you can help
• Make it routine practice to talk about gambling with every person seeking
your assistance.
• Establish a rapport that invites disclosure and motivates change.
• Be alert to the signs and indicators of problem gambling.
• Make information on problem gambling available and link people to
specialized services.
• Explore clients’ concerns and provide accurate information about problem
gambling counselling, emphasizing the benefits of counselling.
• Help clients develop workable budgets and manage their debts in ways
that relieve financial pressure. This reduces an important gambling trigger.
• Help clients and their families protect their remaining assets from further
gambling losses.
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