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Gambling Addiction Counseling in Tampa & St. Petersburg

Compassionate gambling addiction therapist providing counseling in Tampa and St. Petersburg at IBWHC

Are gambling habits impacting your relationships, financial stability, or emotional health? Whether it’s casino gambling, sports betting, or online apps, IBW offers specialized, confidential gambling addiction treatment designed specifically for Tampa Bay residents. It’s time to regain control—one courageous step at a time.

Who is Gambling Addiction Therapy For?

Gambling addiction doesn’t define who you are, it’s a pattern that can be understood, healed, and transformed. At IBW, we recognize that the same traits that fuel gambling (such as determination, risk tolerance, and strategic thinking) are often the very qualities that make people incredibly successful in life.

We see you not as broken, but as someone whose strengths have been redirected in a way that no longer serves you. And we’re here to help you reclaim them.

Our clients are high-functioning, intelligent, and deeply motivated individuals who generally never imagined they’d need this type of support. But they found the courage to reach out, and that’s where recovery begins.

We help:

  • Executives, attorneys, and physicians providing the highest level of discretion while facing the emotional toll of hidden gambling habits while juggling high-stakes responsibilities

  • Parents and caregivers who carry the weight of financial pressure and family strain due to mounting debt and secrecy

  • Individuals struggling in silence with compulsive use of online poker and fantasy sports betting

  • Partners and spouses navigating the pain of betrayal, secrecy, and trust ruptures within their relationships

You’re not alone. You're not beyond help. And when you reach out to the IBW team, you're met with compassion, discretion, and tools that actually work.

What Problems Does Gambling Addiction Counseling Solve?

Gambling addiction impacts your nervous system, your relationships, and your sense of self. At IBW, we go beyond just the surface behaviors to treat the emotional and psychological roots of addiction for individuals across Florida.

How Therapy can help

  • Impulsivity & Emotional Regulation Challenges - One of the most painful symptoms can be the "all-or-nothing" thinking - therapy builds tools for resilience and self-control

  • Trauma Linked to Gambling Loss - Through EMDR and trauma-focused therapy, we help you process shame, loss, and self-blame so you can move forward

  • Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions - Many clients also experience ADHD, anxiety, depression, or past trauma that fuel compulsive behaviors

  • Financial Stress & Anxiety - Constant worry about debt, credit damage, or hiding spending habits from loved ones.

Why Tampa Bay Chooses IBW for Gambling Addiction Therapy

At It Begins Within , we do more than help you stop gambling—we help you understand the why behind it and empower you to rewrite your story. Here’s what sets us apart from online directories and insurance-driven clinics:

Personalized & Discreet
Free from insurance restrictions, we have the ability to offer extended and flexible sessions, without the requirement of applying a “diagnosis” or submitting notes to anyone.

Advanced EMDR Therapy for Gambling-Related Trauma
We specialize in EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), clinically proven to significantly reduce urges and emotional distress related to gambling addiction.

Convenient Locations
Visit our calming, discreet offices or engage via secure telehealth. See our locations on the embedded maps below.

Local Support Groups
Attend our confidential gambling recovery group meetings hosted regularly

Silhouetted family at sunset on a Tampa beach, symbolizing healing and recovery from gambling addiction through therapy at IBW

Meet Our Expert Gambling Addiction Therapists

  • Paris McDonald, LMHC – licensed mental health counselor specializing in anxiety and gambling addiction therapy at IBWHC in Tampa

    Paris McDonald, MA, LMHC

    Specializing in Anxiety, Trauma, and Addiction Recovery | Tampa & Telehealth

    Paris brings deep expertise in supporting clients through the emotional roots of compulsive behaviors—including gambling, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. With a warm, non-judgmental approach, she integrates trauma-informed therapy and emotion regulation skills to help clients rebuild from shame, secrecy, and self-sabotage.

  • Amanda Farris, LCSW – EMDR therapist for gambling-related trauma and financial stress recovery in St. Petersburg

    Amanda Farris, MS, LCSW

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker | EMDR & Gambling-Related Trauma Specialist

    Amanda is a sought-after therapist in St. Petersburg for clients navigating the hidden toll of gambling addiction—especially professionals juggling career stress and family demands. She uses EMDR and strengths-based therapy to help clients process financial trauma, rebuild trust in relationships, and reclaim emotional control.

  • Tyler MacDonald, LMHC – holistic therapist for men’s mental health and gambling addiction recovery in Florida

    Tyler MacDonald, MA, LMHC

    Men’s Mental Health & Holistic Therapy for Gambling Addiction | St. Pete & Statewide

    Tyler helps men overcome impulsive behaviors, anxiety, and the silent shame that often drives gambling. He’s known for his relatable, down-to-earth style and holistic methods that support long-term transformation—without judgment or diagnosis pressure. Tyler works with clients across Florida via secure telehealth.

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Comprehensive Gambling Addiction Recovery Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is therapy for gambling addiction actually effective?

Yes. Evidence-based therapies like EMDR, CBT, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) are highly effective in treating the emotional roots of gambling addiction. In fact in a well known study, it was found that people who sought formal treatment for gambling disorder were over 2.5 times more likely to be in recovery compared to those who attempted to recover without treatment.

How do I know if I need gambling addiction counseling?

If gambling is affecting your finances, relationships, or mental health (even in subtle ways) it’s time to talk to someone. Common signs include hiding gambling behavior, chasing losses, feeling anxious about money, or gambling to cope with stress. Therapy helps you get clarity, not judgment.

Can gambling addiction therapy help my marriage or family?

Absolutely. Gambling often damages trust within families. At IBW, we offer couples therapy and family support alongside individual treatment. We help loved ones understand the addiction, repair communication, and set healthy boundaries for healing together.

Take the Courageous First Step Today

You don’t have to face gambling addiction alone. Schedule your free, confidential consultation today.