Find a Mental Health Professional for Gambling & Behavioural Addictions

About Gambling & Behavioural Addictions support

Behavioural addictions can be just as disruptive and distressing as substance addictions, yet they often attract less understanding and fewer targeted services. This category covers gambling disorder, gaming disorder, compulsive internet use, compulsive sexual behaviour, and compulsive spending, all of which involve a loss of control over behaviours despite negative consequences to relationships, finances, and wellbeing. People experiencing behavioural addictions often feel significant shame, which can delay help-seeking. These conditions are recognised clinical presentations that respond well to treatment. Approaches include CBT for gambling and other behavioural addictions, Motivational Interviewing, and 12-step adapted frameworks for non-substance addictions. Many practitioners also address underlying factors such as depression, anxiety, and trauma that commonly co-occur. In Australia, the National Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) and Gambling Help Online provide free support and referrals. Medicare rebates apply where behavioural addictions are linked to a mental health condition under a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan. NDIS may fund support in some circumstances. Many practitioners offer telehealth, which can be particularly helpful for people managing shame or geographic isolation. Search the directory to find a practitioner experienced in behavioural addictions.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a therapist or counsellor for gambling or gaming addiction in Australia?

The National Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) can provide free referrals to problem gambling counselling services, many of which are government-funded and available at no cost. You can also search this directory filtering for the behavioural addictions category. For gaming or other behavioural addictions, a GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan can connect you with a psychologist experienced in this area.

Is treatment for gambling or behavioural addictions covered by Medicare?

Problem gambling counselling through state-funded services is often free and does not require Medicare. For private sessions, a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan provides Medicare rebates where there is a co-occurring mental health condition (such as depression or anxiety), with eligible practitioners including registered psychologists, accredited mental health social workers, and mental health occupational therapists. Counsellors who are not AHPRA-registered are not Medicare-covered, though many gambling support services use counsellors funded through other means at no cost to you. Some states also have specialist problem gambling services that are publicly funded and accept self-referrals.

What does therapy for a behavioural addiction actually involve?

Therapy typically begins with understanding the patterns, triggers, and functions of the behaviour, and building motivation for change. CBT for gambling, for example, focuses on identifying and challenging cognitive distortions (such as the gambler's fallacy), developing coping strategies for urges, and addressing the practical and relational consequences of gambling. Treatment also commonly addresses any underlying anxiety, depression, or trauma that contributes to the behaviour.