Philosophy of Service
There are still limited resources
for the treatment and support of problem gamblers and their families in
the United Kingdom. By offering telephone counselling along with advice
and information, the Helpline helps the caller engage in the counselling
process, possibly for the first time. The caller makes a significant start
by addressing a gambling problem on the Helpline and developing insights
for future counselling work.
If the caller wants to have
individual or couple face-to-face counselling, the caller can phone the
GamCare Counselling Service and arrange for an assessment session(s).
In 2000, 77 per cent of all counselling referrals came through initial
contact with the Helpline.
The main aims of counselling
are to:
-
help reduce the frequency
of problem gambling
-
develop ways of coping
with problem gambling behaviour
-
understand some of the
underlying reasons why gambling has become a problem, and
-
address associated issues
and behaviours.
The counselling is integrative
and uses a range of therapeutic interventions relevant to the needs of
each person. The most effective approach is found to be a combination
of cognitive behavioural therapy, which helps reduce or stop problem gambling,
and developing coping skills and psychodynamic therapy, which helps clients
gain insight into the reasons for their behaviour.
Profiles of our Services
Staff
The Helpline is staffed by
GamCare trained and supervised Helpline counsellors. They are employed
largely on a volunteer basis. Some have counselling or counselling skills
training, others have personal problem gambling experience and some have
both. The counselling service staff are qualified counsellors or psychotherapists
and have extensive client experience. They are paid on a sessional basis.
Description of our clients
Typically, both callers to
the Helpline and clients attending face-to-face counselling have long-standing
gambling problems. These problems have often resulted in substantial financial
loss, the breakdown or near breakdown of relationships, and impaired physical
and psychological health. In 2000, only a small percentage of callers
and clients were female problem gamblers. Clients under 35 tended to access
the Helpline while the counselling service attracted a slightly older
group. Twenty-seven per cent of clients who met with counsellors face-to-face
were from ethnic minority communities.
Slot machines and on and off
course betting were the most common modes of problem gambling, representing
92 per cent of calls to the Helpline and 89 per cent of counselling work.
Other problem areas were casino table games, scratch cards, private card
games and spread sports, and financial betting.
Programme Evaluations and
Research Involvement
At assessment, clients have
a semi-structured interview covering the DSM-IV criteria for pathological
gambling and the South Oaks Gambling Screen. They are also evaluated across
different areas of client functioning. At closure, and again at follow-up,
the extent of the client's resolution or improvement across all domains
is measured.
At present, there is no research
involvement.
Outcomes
During 2000, 77 per cent of
clients at closure had either stopped or reduced their problem gambling
behaviour. There were also considerable improvements across areas of client
functioning. During follow-up, many clients who had regressed in their
gambling reported prior deterioration in their problem area(s) of day-to-day
functioning as well.
Adrian Scarfe
Counselling
Manager, GamCare
This Service Profile was
not peer-reviewed.
Submitted: April 10, 2001
The Electronic Journal
of Gambling Issues: eGambling invites clinicians from around the world
to tell our readers about their problem gambling treatment programs.
To make a submission, please contact the editor at Phil_Lange@camh.net.
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