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.

Personal injury claims can be stretched out and troublesome. Not only is there the actual personal injury to contend with, but also the emotion and legal impact that comes with such a traumatic incident. In the months following a personal injury, you will probably visit a psychologist or counsellor on a regular bases.

The court system often engages counselling professionals as experts during litigation. They will have to assess the emotional symptoms that result from traumatic personal injury, such as chronic pain, post traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. In the case of head injuries that coincide with other physical injuries, psychologists will evaluate cognitive impairment and  memory issues using neuropsychological assessment strategies.

Another area of practice in which personal injury psychologists work, is employment law. These psychologists will assess issues of sexual and other types of harassment, discrimination and psychological disability issues in the workplace. In this arena, they may be hired for remedial purposes.

While the litigation of personal injury is important, caring for the victim of the trauma should be a priority. Therapy allows a safe place for the person to express his or her emotions and receive help with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, fear and anger. In the case of debilitating physical injuries, the therapist will help the victim to work through the adjustments on an emotional level. The therapist will also help the victim to reframe perceptions to create an optimistic outlook that will stand him or her in good stead to move forward. Psychologists and counsellors use a range of therapeutic approaches to reach the desired outcomes for their patients.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers counselling approaches to address your personal injury issues, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.