This might be for you if you notice
- Thinking about gambling much of the day
- Betting more money, or more often, to get the same feeling
- Going back to try to win back what you lost
- Hiding bets, apps or losses from people you love
- Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down
- Gambling with money you need for other things
Gambling problems are more than a money problem
Problem gambling is gambling behavior that is damaging to a person or their family. It is an emotional problem that has financial and other consequences, so paying off a debt does not settle everything else. The good news is that emotional patterns can change, and counseling is built for that.
Warning signs include thinking about gambling all the time, needing to bet more money and more often, chasing losses, feeling unable to control it, and gambling despite negative consequences. These can be signs of a gambling problem. They are not a measure of your worth or your willpower.
How often you gamble does not decide whether there is a problem, and neither does the amount you have won or lost. What matters is whether gambling is getting in the way of your relationships, work, health or peace of mind.
How gambling counseling works
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the treatment options used for gambling problems. In CBT, you and your therapist look at the thoughts and situations that come right before a bet, and practice different ways to respond.
Therapists on our team also use motivational interviewing. It is a respectful, unhurried conversation about what you want your life to look like and what is pulling you in the other direction. There are no lectures and no shame.
Counseling can also make room for the practical side: talking with a partner about what has happened, planning around paydays, and deciding what to do when an urge shows up late at night on your phone.
Anxiety and depression can show up alongside gambling problems. If either is part of your picture, your therapist can work on it with you. See our depression therapy and anxiety therapy pages to learn more.
What online sessions look like
Every session is a secure video visit. There is no office and no waiting room, which can make a private topic easier to talk about. You join from any quiet place where you can speak freely.
You need to be physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia or Arizona during each session. Evening and weekend appointments are available, and exact times depend on the therapist.
Sessions are confidential, with legal exceptions for risk of serious harm to yourself or others and for suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult.
The right level of care, and extra support
We want you to have the care that fits, so here is exactly what we provide and where else you can turn.
Good to know
- We offer outpatient counseling only. We do not offer intensive outpatient or residential programs, and we do not prescribe medication.
- If you need a higher level of care, we will help you find one.
- The National Problem Gambling Helpline, operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling, is 1-800-MY-RESET. It connects people with help in their state by call, text or online chat.
- Self-help support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous are another option that some people use alongside counseling.
- In extreme cases, problem gambling can lead to thoughts of suicide. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services. See our crisis resources page for more.
Getting started
Gambling problems tend to get worse when they are left alone, and people can do very well with the right treatment. Telling one person the truth can be the hardest part, and it can also be where things begin to feel lighter.
- Book a free consultationStart with a free 15-minute consultation. You can book online or call 267-573-9817. You decide how much to share.
- Get matched with a therapistWe match you with a therapist who is licensed in the state where you live.
- Check your coverageWe are in-network with many plans, and self-pay is available. See insurance and fees or ask us to verify your benefits.
- Take a first stepYou and your therapist set goals and choose one change to try before your next session.
Therapists for gambling addiction counseling
These therapists describe related experience in their own profiles. We will help you find the best fit and confirm who is licensed in your state.
Questions people ask
How do I know if my gambling is a problem?
Warning signs include thinking about gambling all the time, betting more money and more often, going back to win back losses, feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down, and gambling despite negative consequences. If you recognize some of these, a conversation with a therapist can help you sort out what is going on. Only a qualified professional can make a diagnosis.
Can I have a gambling problem if I do not gamble every day?
Yes. How often a person gambles does not determine whether there is a problem, and neither does the amount of money won or lost. Gambling becomes a concern when it interferes with relationships, work, health or other parts of life. Occasional gambling can still have real emotional and financial effects.
How does online gambling counseling work?
Sessions are secure video visits with a licensed therapist. You join from a private place, and you need to be physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia or Arizona at the time. In sessions you talk about urges, triggers and what has been happening with money and relationships, and you practice skills to use between visits.
Does insurance cover gambling addiction counseling?
We are in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Highmark, Independence Blue Cross, Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, Geisinger, Optum, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. We do not accept Medicaid. Coverage depends on your plan and your state, and plans differ in how they cover gambling-related care, so please check our insurance and fees page or ask us to verify your benefits. Self-pay is also available.
Will counseling fix my debts?
Counseling is not financial advice, and we cannot resolve debts for you. What it can do is help with the emotional side that keeps the cycle going: the urges, the secrecy and the stress. Problem gambling is an emotional problem with financial consequences, so working on the emotional part can make the practical steps easier to take.
Do you offer an intensive or residential gambling program?
No. Locascio Wellness offers outpatient counseling only. We do not provide intensive outpatient or residential programs, and we do not prescribe medication. If you and your therapist decide that a higher level of care would serve you better, we will help you find one.
My spouse gambles. Can I get help for myself or for us?
Yes. A gambling problem affects the whole household, and partners often carry a great deal of worry and broken trust. Our team works with individuals, couples and families. You can ask about couples therapy or sessions for yourself when you book, and we will match you with a therapist licensed in your state.
Sources
Published by Locascio Wellness. Last updated October 9, 2026. Clinically reviewed by Anthony Locascio, PsyD, LPC. This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.