Each person’s treatment is tailored to meet their individual goals and situation. The Gambling Clinic is gambling neutral, which means that the client decides what changes they want to make. In consultation with their therapist, a client might choose to set a goal to refrain from gambling completely. Or, the client could set a moderation goal focused on limiting how much money they will risk gambling, how frequently they will gamble, and/or how long a gambling session will last. For example, a client might set a moderation goal of gambling at most one day a week, for no more than one hour, and risking a maximum of $150.

Once the client and the therapist have worked together to set a goal, they explore tools and strategies for the client to use to work toward this goal. With a goal that is specific and measurable, they are able to see whether the methods the client is using are successful for controlling their gambling and to adjust as needed.

The Gambling Clinic treatment team uses cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT), teachable skills and strategies that focus on the way a person’s thoughts, emotions, and environment influence their actions. When a person understands what leads to their behaviors, they’re better able to make changes and develop behaviors that are healthier and more productive. CBT for gambling also involves exploring the function that gambling serves in the client’s life and looking for other ways that function can be served.

TGC-MCBT has five phases, and it usually takes between eight and ten sessions to complete. The client meets individually with their therapist, and sessions last about an hour. Most people meet weekly initially and then meet a little less frequently in later phases to allow more time for practicing new skills between sessions. The specific schedule is up to the client and their therapist based on the client’s schedule and their individual needs and preferences.

As soon as a client makes that first call to The Gambling Clinic and schedules an appointment with a therapist, the client is connected with a peer recovery specialist. A peer knows firsthand about overcoming addiction and is available by phone or text in between sessions to serve as a resource.

Peers can help clients with practical matters like helping them self-exclude from a sports betting app or find debt counseling. Clients can also reach out to their peer if they have an urge to gamble or if they have a setback and are unsure how to get back on track.

Once a person starts treatment with The Gambling Clinic, we are with them every step of the way.

As part of the TGC-MCBT program, the client’s therapist and peer may introduce them to tools to help them pursue their goals and make changes in their gambling and their life. Here are some examples of tools we offer:

• Timeline Rewind for the client to track and reflect on their past gambling
• Self-exclusion guide for the client to control their access to sports betting apps and/or casinos
• Ad and content-blocking guide for the client to limit the gambling content they see on social media, in email, and on the web, in order to avoid content that may evoke the urge to gamble
• Urge surfing guide (Bowen et al., 2021) for using mindfulness to manage cravings for gambling

These are just a few examples of our tools. We will work with the client to identify tools and resources that can help them achieve their goals and make the changes they want.

If you’re concerned about your gambling or wondering whether you may have a gambling addiction, you can use our screener to get feedback on your gambling. We also invite you to contact us to discuss whether The Gambling Clinic’s treatment could be right for you.

If you’re concerned about a friend or family member’s gambling, you can read more about supporting them here and find a screening form here. You are also welcome to contact The Gambling Clinic to learn more about our treatment or to get guidance on talking with your friend or family member.

We also offer therapy for the partners or other family members of people experiencing problem gambling. Give us a call to discuss how we can support you.

You may be interested in some of the following resources:

• The Gambling Clinic’s web page for healthcare providers and mental health professionals
• Our handbook, Problem Gambling and Gambling Disorder (a new edition is forthcoming in 2026, previous edition currently available here)
• Blog post about researcher’s meta-analyses on CBT for problem gambling
• Blog post about CBT for gambling
• Self-exclusion guide for an individual to control their own access to sports betting apps and/or casinos
• Ad and content-blocking guide for a person to limit the gambling content they see on social media, in email, and on the web, in order to avoid content that may evoke the urge to gamble

The Gambling Clinic has more than 25 years’ experience helping people get control of their gambling and make the changes they want in their lives. Our TGC-MCBT program is based on what we have learned from our work with clients over the years and on research conducted by us and others about gambling, addiction, and related topics. Our program is effective for helping people overcome problem gambling. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, we hope you’ll reach out so we can discuss how we could help you too.