Gambling Counselling
About Us
We are a specialised counselling service that provides free and confidential help and support for gamblers and those close to them. We operate from the Samaritans Neighbourhood and Information Centre in Vincent St Cessnock and also travel to the Maitland, Singleton and Muswellbrook regions to meet you. Our aim is to help people understand and change gambling behaviour when it is causing problems.
The service is one of over 40 Gambling Help face to face services that are funded by the Responsible Gambling Fund on behalf of the NSW Government. Other Gambling Help services not operated by Samaritans include phone counselling and on line services. Details at www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au
Gambling Counselling
Gambling counselling looks at the reasons for excessive gambling and helps you to understand and change your gambling behaviour. Gambling can be a form of harmless recreation but if it gets out of control it can lead to emotional distress, damaged relationships, anxiety, feelings of guilt and a reduction in other interests. Gambling counselling not only helps with practical strategies to reduce the impacts but can help you to resolve any underlying issues that might be driving the gambling. Gambling Counselling can involve individual personal counselling, relationship counselling, family counselling and counselling for grief and loss. You will not be judged, you will be supported to find your own solutions and it is confidential.
Financial Counselling
Excessive gambling usually leads to debt and other financial problems. Financial counselling can help you restore financial stability and the counsellor might be able to negotiate with creditors on your behalf to help you to find a way ahead. Budgeting, payment plans, money management and information on bankruptcy are all part of financial counselling.
If you are affected by the gambling of someone else...
There are things you can do to improve the situation both for the gambler and you. You could be facing some serious consequences because of the gambling and it is important to recognise that you did not cause the problem. It can be very helpful talking to a gambling counsellor.
Early warning signs that there could be a problem...
- More time or money spent on gambling than before.
- Chasing losses
- Feeling down or irritable after gambling
- Lying to others about your gambling
- Withdrawing from other activities and friends or family.
- Money hassles caused by gambling.
Contact Us
Phone: 4993 3455
Mob: 0409 038 248
Monday-Friday 8.00am-4.00pm (after hours by arrangement)
Free and confidential.
