Gambling Counselling in West Sussex – Eleos Counselling

Gambling can quietly move from something that feels manageable into a pattern that causes distress, secrecy, and loss of control. For many people, the turning point comes when gambling begins to affect emotional wellbeing, finances, work, or relationships. Gambling counselling in West Sussex with Eleos Counselling offers a confidential and compassionate space to explore what is happening beneath the behaviour and to begin creating meaningful, sustainable change.

At Eleos Counselling, gambling difficulties are understood as a response to emotional pressure rather than a failure of willpower. Counselling focuses on helping individuals understand their triggers, reduce harmful patterns, and rebuild a sense of stability, dignity, and choice.

Understanding Problem Gambling and Compulsive Gambling

Gambling counselling supports people experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including online betting, casino gambling, slot machines, gaming-related gambling, and compulsive or impulsive betting behaviours. While the form of gambling may vary, many people share similar emotional experiences beneath the surface.

Often, gambling becomes a way of coping with stress, anxiety, loneliness, boredom, unresolved grief, or feelings of inadequacy. Over time, the behaviour can shift from being enjoyable to feeling driven, repetitive, or uncontrollable. As a result, people may experience shame, irritability, low mood, sleep problems, or constant worry about money and secrecy.

Gambling counselling provides a structured yet supportive space to slow things down. By understanding how gambling fits into your emotional world, it becomes possible to loosen its grip and respond differently when urges arise.

How Gambling Counselling Can Help

Gambling counselling at Eleos Counselling in West Sussex is tailored to the individual rather than following a one-size-fits-all programme. Sessions are collaborative and paced to meet you where you are. Importantly, counselling does not focus solely on stopping gambling but on understanding why it has become necessary.

Through counselling, you may begin to:

• Identify emotional and situational triggers linked to gambling

• Understand cycles of urge, relief, guilt, and repetition

• Develop healthier ways to manage stress, anxiety, or emotional pain

• Reduce compulsive behaviours and increase self-control

• Rebuild trust in yourself and others

• Strengthen emotional resilience and self-compassion

Change is approached with care and realism. Progress often comes through insight, honesty, and small but consistent shifts rather than pressure or judgement.

A Compassionate and Ethical Counselling Approach

Eleos Counselling works in line with established UK ethical standards. All therapists are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and are also affiliated with Addiction Professionals, the UK’s leading organisation for those working with addiction and behavioural dependency.

This means gambling counselling is delivered with professionalism, integrity, and respect for client autonomy. Confidentiality is taken seriously and is only broken if there is a significant risk of harm, which would always be discussed openly and sensitively.

The counselling relationship itself is central to change. Feeling heard, understood, and not judged often allows people to speak honestly about gambling for the first time.

Emotional Wellbeing and Gambling Behaviour

Although gambling may be the main concern, counselling often reveals deeper emotional themes. Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, identity struggles, and relationship difficulties frequently sit alongside gambling behaviour. Addressing these underlying experiences can significantly reduce the intensity and frequency of urges.

Rather than treating gambling in isolation, Eleos Counselling takes a holistic view of emotional wellbeing. This approach supports longer-term change and helps clients feel more grounded, stable, and emotionally connected.

Professional Standards and Experience

Eleos Counselling is committed to high professional and ethical standards. Our therapists are experienced in working with addiction, emotional regulation, trauma, and co-occurring mental health difficulties. In addition, Eleos Counselling is a registered member of Addiction Professionals, the leading UK membership organisation for professionals working with addictive behaviours.

This membership reflects a commitment to ongoing training, ethical practice, and evidence-informed approaches to addiction counselling. Clients can feel reassured that they are receiving support grounded in professional accountability and current best practice.

Support for Relationships Affected by Gambling

Gambling rarely affects only one person. Partners and family members may experience anger, confusion, mistrust, or emotional exhaustion. Gambling counselling can support individuals whose lives have been impacted by someone else’s gambling, as well as offer relationship-focused sessions where appropriate.

Counselling can help couples or families:

• Improve communication and honesty

• Understand the emotional impact of gambling

• Rebuild trust at a manageable pace

• Establish healthier boundaries and expectations

These conversations are handled with sensitivity, ensuring that all parties feel respected and emotionally safe.

Gambling Counselling in West Sussex

Eleos Counselling offers private gambling counselling in West Sussex for adults seeking confidential and professional support. Whether gambling has become a recent concern or a long-standing struggle, counselling provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and begin moving forward with support.

Reaching out can feel daunting, especially when gambling has been accompanied by shame or secrecy. However, asking for help is often the first step toward regaining balance and self-respect.

Crisis and Immediate Support

If you are at immediate risk or experiencing severe distress:

• Call 999 in an emergency

• Contact your GP or local NHS urgent mental health service

• Call Samaritans on 116 123 (UK, free, 24/7)

Alcohol addiction counselling is not a substitute for emergency care but can form an important part of longer-term recovery and emotional stability.

Taking the First Step

If gambling is affecting your wellbeing or causing concern, you do not have to face it alone. An initial consultation with Eleos Counselling allows you to discuss what is happening, ask questions, and decide whether counselling feels right for you.

Change does not require perfection. It begins with understanding, support, and compassion.

Related Support Options in West Sussex

If you’re exploring recovery from alcohol use, you may also find these pages helpful. Many people look into nearby support, such as alcohol addiction counselling in Petworth, alcohol support in Billingshurst, or options for online addiction therapy across West Sussex. If stress, trauma, or difficult life events contribute to your drinking, you may also want to read more about substance misuse counselling or trauma and PTSD therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions – Gambling Addiction Counselling at Eleos Counselling West Sussex

UK Agencies Supporting Gambling Addiction

Here are key UK national agencies and services that help people affected by gambling addiction, including links to self-exclusion (“self-barring”) resources you can use on your webpage:

 National Support & Treatment Providers

1. GamCare – National Gambling Helpline
Provides free, confidential advice, support, counselling and information for anyone affected by gambling harms (you or someone else).
🔗 https://www.gamcare.org.uk/ — National Gambling Helpline and support resources

2. GambleAware
Offers free, confidential advice, self-assessment tools, support information and a national service finder to locate local counselling and treatment services.
🔗 https://www.gambleaware.org/ — Tools, info and service finder

3. National Gambling Support Network (NHS and partners)
Connects people to free telephone, online and face-to-face treatment services across Great Britain.

4. Citizens Advice
Advice on gambling problems, dealing with debt, self-exclusion options and practical help for individuals and families.
🔗 https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/gambling-problems/get-help-with-gambling-problems/

5. Gordon Moody
UK charity providing residential treatment and supported recovery programmes for people with gambling-related harm.
🔗 https://gordonmoody.org.uk — Treatment and recovery support

Self-Exclusion / Self-Barring Schemes

Self-exclusion lets you commit to stopping gambling with licensed operators for a defined period of time. Operators must legally refuse service once you register.

▶ GAMSTOP – National online self-exclusion scheme
A free UK-wide register you can use to block access to licensed online gambling sites and apps.
🔗 https://www.gamstop.co.uk — Self-exclude from online gambling in the UK

▶ MOSES / Gamstop Betting Shops – Land-based self-exclusion
Register to self-exclude from multiple UK betting shops and bookmakers with one request.

Other Useful Notes

• You can also ask your bank to block gambling payments or use software like Gamban to block access to gambling sites, which strengthens self-exclusion efforts.

• If you are in immediate distress at any time, Samaritans offers emotional support in the UK and Ireland: 116 123(free phone).

Disclaimer
The organisations listed above are provided for information and signposting purposes only. Eleos Counselling is not affiliated with, nor responsible for, the content, availability, or services offered by external organisations. Inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement. If you are in immediate danger or crisis, please contact emergency services, your GP, or NHS urgent mental health services.