GAMBLER COUNSELING SERVICES LOUISVILLE KY  Click To Call 502-896-8006

Gambler Counseling Services in Louisville Ky 
The Problem Gambler Recovery Program at Dave Harmon and Associates, Inc. is designed to assist and treat problem gamblers and to assess the direct or indirect affect on family and friends. The Gambler Recovery Program begins with an evaluation of the problem gambler including a mental status and bio-psycho-social evaluation. A treatment plan is then developed that individualizes the problem gambler's needs.
 
The Problem Gambler Recovery Program varies in length; consisting of individual, group, educational, self-help sessions with written assignments. The program primarily focuses  on:

• Understanding compulsive gambling.
• Helping the problem gambler understand the cycle of compulsive gambling.
• Understanding  the power issues involved in compulsive gambling.
• Assisting the problem gambler in coping with circumstances.
• Helping the problem gambler understand the effects on their loved ones.

​All problem gamblers are strongly encouraged to prepare written safety plans for themselves and their families.The  program is based  on the following premises regarding problem gamblers, compulsive gambling, and the effects of  compulsive gambling on the family members and friends:

• Compulsive Gambling constitutes a health hazard for the problem gambler, family members, and friends who may experience short and long term effects from the behavior of the compulsive gambler.
• Immediate and long term cessation of  all forms of compulsive gambling is the pimary purpose for treatment. Compulsive gambling in its various forms is a progressive, destructive illness/ behavior.
• Our gambler counseling services are designed to enhance and promote the safety of all identified and identifiable problem gamblers, family members, and friends. 
• Family members and friends are not responsible for the compulsive gambler's behavior and our services encourage  the compulsive gambler taking full responsibility for his/her compulsive gambling behavior.
• Problem gamblers are accountable for their own behavior in relation to their compulsive gambling which is the product of individual choice and learned traits. 
• The compulsive gambler's psycho-pathology, substance abuse, other disorders, or cultural background are not explanatory causes of the offenses but can influence the gambler's behavior. 
• Cooperation and service coordination between the following are necessary to assure effective treatment:   the problem gamblers family and friends, the compulsive gambling counselor, law enforcementofficials, the courts, probation and parole agencies, the Department for Social Services, spouse abuse centers, employers, victim advocates, chemical dependency professionals, and other mental health professionals, as well as  Gamblers Anonymous members and our program professionals 

The philosophy of Dave Harmon and Associates, Inc. is to support, instill, and respect the individual worth and dignity of all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, handicap, or veteran status.
 
Professional assistance for each problem gambler, family member, and friend demands that the provider cares for and respects each problem gambler in a safe environment.
 
Each problem gambler at our Louisville gambler counseling services will receive a personalized treatment plan that is compulsive gambling specific and defines needs and goals. Quality service and personal assistance serves the interest of  both the compulsive gambler's family, and friends and best ensures the successful treatment and/or education of each.
 
Personal caring and  interaction between staff and problem gamblers, and their family and friends  creates a  therapeutically sound environment in which both the problem gambler, his family, and their friends create a more sustainable recovery environment.
 
                                            PRIMARY GOALS

• CESSATION OF ALL GAMBLING - To provide a safe  environment for the problem gamblers to bring about the immediate and permanent cessation of all compulsive gambling behaviors. 
• RESPONSIBILITY - To have the problem gambler take full responsibility for the gambling behavior and attitudes in relation to the compulsive gambling and to have the problem gambler further develop both coping skills and cognitive behavioral skills in order to prevent relapse of gambling behavior. 
• ASSESSMENT - To address through referral or treatment all the therapeutic  needs of the gambler, and his family. 
• EMPATHY - To increase the gambler's sense of empathy for other problem gamblers, family members,and friends, as well as to develop a sense of empathy for society as a whole. 
• RELAPSE PREVENTION PLAN - To assist the problem gambler in developing and implementing a relapse prevention plan. 
• ​AFTERCARE PLAN - To assist the problem gambler in developing and implementing an aftercare plan to assure their safety.

The length of the Compulsive Gambling Recovery Program varies, but usually lasts from 6 to 12 months. Within that time frame, a problem gambler is encouraged to attend all educational sessions, as well as both group and individual sessions. In addition, the problem gambler is encouraged to participate in all assignments consisting of the following:

• Initial Problem Gambler Screening Interview: This interview introduces the problem gambler to the Problem Gambler Recovery Program, and is utilized to assess suitability for participation. 
• Initial Compulsive Gambling Assessment Interview: The assessment Interview is for the purpose of evaluating the compulsive gambler's personal risks, treatment needs, as well as assessing the need for other mental health and/or substance abuse treatment. Often within a similar period the family and significant others are also evaluated to determine their treatment needs. The  treatment needs of all are addressed through treatment and or referral to appropriate services.  
• Weekly Treatment Groups: Each problem gambler participates in weekly treatment groups, which also include specific bio-psycho-social educational information, discussion topics,  evaluation of lethality and progress in treatment. 
• Individual Progress Review Sessions: Individual Progress Review Sessions are held with the problem gambler to discuss progress, provide encouragement, guide the offender towards positive change and achievement of all treatment goals.
• Written Treatment Task: All problem gamblers are required to complete seven (7) major program treatment task assignments (homework). If a problem gambler has attended 20 group meetings, but has not completed all 7 treatment task assignments to the satisfaction of the counselor, he/she is required to continue attending group meetings until they have completed all treatment task assignments. 
• Relapse Prevention Plan: A Relapse Prevention Plan is developed with each  participant before completion of the program, which outlines in detail, the steps the client will take to deal with the desire to gamble. The plan will include: who he will call if the desire to gamble is present, meetings he will attend, sponsors he will attain, meditation, and journaling.  This plan will be written and accessible for review at all times.
• Aftercare/Discharge Planning Session: An Aftercare/Discharge Planning Session is held with each client before final completion to: review progress, to ensure that the Compulsive Gambling Relapse Prevention Plan and the Aftercare Plan is complete. The session will also document completion of the compulsive gambling program for the appropriate Court, Probation/Parole Office, Child Protective Service Agency, and (if appropriate)  to say goodbye, unless the compulsive gambler chooses to continue in voluntary treatment. 

If you are looking for gambling addiction treatment in Louisville Ky, then we are ready to help.