Addictions - Gambling, LGBTQ Issues, Professional Burnout Counsellors

Gambling addiction, as other addictions, starts innocently and escalates to uncontrollable levels. Whether the habit involves online gambling or casino games, it can be harmful and lead to financial and relationship ruin. Gambling addiction can turn a very honest person into someone who steals money to fund the habit.  Like other addictions, gambling addiction features a lack of self-control which results in a lack of control in various other areas of a person's life. Recognising the danger signs and acknowledging the problem is the first step to healing.

Gambling addiction is an invisible disease, in the sense that there are no physical symptoms. The first sign of gambling addiction is the urge to gamble, despite the desire to quit. Most problem gamblers will deny or trivialize their addiction. However, they will often sneak around to feed their addiction, or lie about it. The condition affects their loved ones, from whom they will usually withdraw.

If you feel the need to hide your gambling habits, or lie about it, or if you want to stop gambling, but can't, you may have a gambling addiction. It's common for gamblers to want to up bets to win back their lost money, and to want to gamble even when there is no money left.

Psychotherapists offer a range of psychodynamic therapies to deal with uncontrollable, self-destructive and impulsive behaviors, including gambling addiction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been found to be effective in dealing with gambling addiction but therapists often use other approaches as well. The therapists in this directory use a range of different approaches, including counselling, peer support, self-help programs, and step-based programs.

If you need a counsellor or psychologist to help you address the effects of gambling addiction, you can search the directory below to find a professional with the approach best suited to your situation.

Counselling for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer individuals makes the transition to living true to yourself easier. While acceptance of GLBTQ people is on the rise, it can still be stressful for some. Speaking to someone about your fears and struggles can make the transition easier.

While GLBTQ people are more easily accepted than years ago, there are still some homophobic elements that discriminate against the movement and people who form part of it.

Despite the strides made in public acceptance by the GLBTQ community, they still face many issues that require psychological or counselling intervention. Depression caused by discrimination is one of the main issues that counselling addresses, as well as religious abuse, homophobic work and living conditions, self-destructive behavior, assault, and family estrangement or rejection.

HIV and AIDS issues are serious concerns faced by gay people who might be in denial and practice unsafe sex. Some people will develop anxiety about being tested, and coping with results, while others might face the trauma of caring for a loved one with AIDS.

In the past, GLBTQ counselling was not as freely available as it is today, but the demand has risen as the community realised that it offers a safe and non-judgmental environment for people to get help. Today, counselling helps thousands of people to live freely and healthily without a fear of judgment, through specific support services and counselling that helps Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer people as well as their friends and families to live harmoniously.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who works with the GLBTQ commuity you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Professional burnout is becoming more common in people who have to carve careers in this competitive economy. While there are more and better opportunities for people to advance their careers, there are also more issues that add to stress in the workplace.

Typically, professional burnout is caused by issues such as endless tasks, under-employment, inadequate pay, difficult clients, bureaucracy, conflicting roles, and perfectionism. Some of the more difficult causes include deficits in emotional and social skills and conflicts between workplace and personal values.

A person who is dealing with professional burnout will usually feel extreme physical and emotional exhaustion, as the result of prolonged stressed. Cynicism and low levels of career satisfaction, or even indifference are common symptoms of professional burnout. People with professional burnout will struggle to concentrate and have poor problem solving abilities.

Professional burnout can cause a range of health problems as a result of chronic stress, and symptoms may include insomnia, headaches, and frequent colds. People often self-medicate and start using substances such as sleeping pills, alcohol, mood elevators or cigarettes, which pose more serious health risks.

A therapists who offers professional burnout will be able to help the person to identify issues that could lead to burnout. He or she will help identify stressors and find solutions, or even help you define the best career for you by using standardized tests that measure strengths and weaknesses.

Some careers predispose people to professional burnout, such as police officers, customer care consultants, lawyers, nurses, social workers and teachers. Emotional involvement in high stress environments make professional burnout prevalent in these professions.  

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers professional burnout counselling and other career-related issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.