Find a Therapist for Gambling in Columbus

Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025
Written by the MiResource team

If you’re seeking Gambling Addiction help in Columbus, you’re in the right place. Find trusted local support, counseling, and treatment resources to start recovery. We connect Columbus residents with compassionate care for gambling problems, tailored to your needs and available near you.

  • Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC, Sport Psychologist

    Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC

    Sport Psychologist

    Remote only

    Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 30 years. They treat Gambling, Alcohol Use, Bullying.

    Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist — services for mental health care & performance enhancement

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  • Jacob Cooper, Sport Psychologist

    Jacob Cooper

    Sport Psychologist

    Remote only

    Jacob Cooper is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined. They treat Gambling, Parenting Concerns, Perfectionism.

    Dr. Cooper is an authentic and relational sport psychologist with 10+ years of experience with professional athletes, olympians, and US. special forces.

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  • Shelly Reed, Psychologist

    Shelly Reed

    Psychologist

    1845 South Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202

    Shelly Reed is a Psychologist in Mesa, Arizona and has been in practice for 17 years. They treat Gambling, Alcohol Use, Childhood Abuse.

    Don't be shy...I've heard it all ;) I offer a warm and non-judgmental space to work through the things that have been holding you back.

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  • Scott Goldman, Sport Psychologist

    Scott Goldman

    Sport Psychologist

    Remote only

    Scott Goldman is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined. They treat Gambling, Self-Esteem, Athletic/Sports performance.

    Performance and Clinical Psychology is about understanding and amplifying human behavior and human interaction.

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  • Lynn Luna Jones, Counselor

    Lynn Luna Jones

    Counselor, Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Licensed Psychological Examiner-Independent

    9826 East Washington Street, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023

    Lynn Luna Jones is a Counselor in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and has been in practice for 20 years. They treat Gambling, Narcissistic Personality, Insomnia.

    I am a licensed psychologist who specializes in assessment. I am able to administer many types of psychological tests.

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  • Monica Myers, Counselor

    Monica Myers

    Counselor, Psychotherapist, Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Independent Substance Abuse Counselor

    591 Boston Mills Road, Hudson, Ohio 44236

    Monica Myers is a Counselor in Hudson, Ohio and has been in practice for 7 years. They treat Gambling, Performance Anxiety, Men's Issues.

    I believe that in some point of everyone’s life, a therapist can be beneficial, even if it is to have an objective person to listen without judgement.

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How to Get Help for Gambling in Columbus 

Facing Gambling Addiction can feel isolating, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re seeking help in Columbus, MiResource makes it simple to find a therapist who fits your needs—by specialty, insurance, budget, language, and availability. Our trusted directory features verified providers, clear profiles, and easy ways to reach out, so you can take the first step without confusion or long waitlists. Start by answering a few quick questions, compare your best matches, and connect with support that meets you where you are. Take control today: explore MiResource to find compassionate, evidence-based care in Columbus and begin your path to recovery from Gambling Addiction. 

Finding Licensed Gambling Therapists in Your State

Choosing a therapist licensed in your state helps ensure care complies with state laws and maximizes eligibility for telehealth and insurance coverage. MiResource lets you filter providers by state licensure so you only see clinicians authorized where you live, including those serving clients in Columbus. All listed professionals are verified, qualified, and legally able to provide care. 

Exploring Local Community Resources for Gambling in Columbus 

Columbus’s sports pride and entertainment scene—from Buckeye Saturdays near Ohio Stadium to evenings at Hollywood Casino Columbus on Georgesville Road and Eldorado Scioto Downs on S High Street—can normalize betting and make recovery feel complicated. Faith communities, student life around The Ohio State University, and tight-knit neighborhoods like Linden and the Hilltop shape how people talk about money, stress, and stigma, which can affect how and when someone seeks help. Meeting in person with a therapist in the Short North, German Village, or Grandview Heights offers a grounded, private space away from triggers; many offices sit near familiar landmarks like North Market, the Scioto Mile, or the Statehouse. Practical tip: plan around I-70/I-71 split traffic at rush hour, use COTA routes running along High Street and Broad Street, and look for garages at Columbus Commons or Goodale Garage, plus metered parking on High Street and Parsons Avenue.

Local help is close by. Maryhaven’s Gambling addiction Intervention Program provides specialized treatment in Columbus. The ADAMH Board of Franklin County lists problem gambling services and referrals. For immediate support, call the Ohio Problem Gambling addiction Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or visit Ohio for Responsible Gambling addiction. Peer groups meet regularly through Gamblers Anonymous and family support via Gam-Anon. The Ohio Casino Control Commission also offers responsible gambling resources and self-exclusion information. 

What You Need to Know About Gambling 

Gambling addiction happens when someone feels unable to stop betting or playing games of chance, even when it harms their money, time, health, or relationships. In Columbus, where access to casinos, sportsbooks, and online betting is easy, the risks can feel especially close to home. Gambling struggles can affect finances, sleep, work, school, and trust with loved ones—but with the right support, recovery and balance are possible.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Gambling 

  • Constantly thinking about gambling, even during work, classes at Ohio State, or family time
  • Feeling the need to place bigger bets at Hollywood Casino Columbus, Scioto Downs, or on sports apps to get the same thrill
  • Trying to cut back but finding it hard to stop
  • Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when you can’t gamble
  • Chasing losses—returning to bets in hopes of winning money back
  • Hiding gambling from friends or family in Columbus or lying about money spent
  • Spending far more time gambling than intended, sometimes losing track of hours
  • Borrowing money, maxing out credit cards, or selling belongings to keep playing
  • Unpaid bills, overdrawn accounts, or unexplained financial struggles
  • Tension at home, arguments, or avoiding loved ones to gamble instead
  • Missing work shifts, OSU classes, or important plans because of gambling
  • Mood swings, guilt, shame, or hopelessness after gambling losses
  • Trouble sleeping, headaches, stomach issues, or appetite changes from stress
  • Using gambling as a way to escape worry, loneliness, grief, or depression
  • Neglecting hobbies, church, or community activities once enjoyed
  • Breaking personal values, such as betting money meant for rent or bills
  • Frequent visits to casinos, sportsbooks, or betting apps during downtime
  • Turning to alcohol or drugs while gambling or after losing money
  • Legal or job troubles linked to debts or gambling behavior

If some of these signs feel familiar to you or someone close to you in Columbus, you are not alone—help is available in your community.

Causes and Risk Factors for Gambling

Gambling addiction develops from a mix of biological, emotional, and environmental influences. For some in Columbus, having a family history of addiction or high brain sensitivity to rewards can increase risk. Stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma can fuel gambling as a way of coping. Easy access to casinos, horse racing, and sports betting in Columbus—along with nonstop ads and stories of big wins—can make urges harder to resist. Personality traits like impulsivity or using gambling to escape loneliness, grief, or financial pressure can also contribute. It’s important to remember: gambling addiction is a health condition, not a personal failing—and support in Columbus is here when you’re ready.

How Gambling Can Affect Daily Life 

Gambling addiction can create ripple effects across daily routines, relationships, and responsibilities. Trust at home may break down if money and time are hidden from partners, children, or friends. At work or school, gambling can take priority, leading to missed deadlines, skipped classes at OSU, or calling off shifts after staying up all night placing bets. Stress builds as bills pile up or social plans are canceled, leaving a cycle of guilt, worry, and isolation. For example, someone in Columbus might skip a family gathering in German Village to chase losses at Hollywood Casino, or use rent money meant for a Short North apartment to gamble—later feeling ashamed and disconnected. Over time, quality of life declines, but recovery is possible with the right care and community support.

Treatment and Support Options for Gambling 

Effective treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to change gambling thoughts/behaviors, motivational interviewing to boost readiness for change, and, when needed, medication to address co‑occurring conditions like depression or anxiety; some benefit from financial counseling and relapse‑prevention planning. Support systems include individual or group therapy, family therapy, self‑exclusion programs, and peer groups such as Gamblers Anonymous (12‑step) or SMART Recovery. Self‑help strategies—setting money/time limits, blocking gambling sites/apps, tracking urges, and building alternative rewarding activities—can reinforce recovery. Seek help through licensed clinicians, certified gambling counselors, local helplines, and reputable online tools/directories to find specialized, evidence‑based care. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1) What is Gambling Addiction and how is it diagnosed?

Gambling Addiction is a pattern of gambling that becomes hard to control and starts causing problems with money, relationships, work, or health. Diagnosis usually involves a conversation about your habits, impacts on your life, and any urges or attempts to cut back. Clinicians use criteria from the DSM-5 and brief screens like the Lie/Bet or PGSI to guide assessment. A licensed mental health professional, addiction specialist, or trained medical provider in Columbus can make an official diagnosis.

2) Who is most likely to experience Gambling Addiction?

Anyone can develop Gambling Addiction, regardless of age, income, background, or education. Risk factors can include family history of addiction, big life stressors, access to gambling, depression or anxiety, and impulsivity, but none of these mean someone is at fault. Online betting and easy access to casinos and sports books in Columbus can increase risk for some people. Support and effective care are available to all.

3) How common is Gambling Addiction?

In the U.S., about 0.2–0.3% of adults meet criteria for Gambling Addiction in a given year, with a larger group (roughly 2–3%) experiencing problem gambling that still causes harm. That means you are not alone, even if it feels isolating. Rates are similar in many cities, including in Columbus. Early support can prevent problems from getting worse.

4) Can Gambling Addiction be prevented?

Prevention is possible by setting time and money limits, avoiding gambling when stressed or using substances, and keeping finances transparent with trusted supports. Learning warning signs and using blocking tools or self-exclusion programs can help, including Ohio’s voluntary exclusion program through the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Building healthy routines, managing stress, and staying connected to supportive people are protective factors. If you’re concerned in Columbus, a brief conversation with a counselor can help you plan ahead.

5) What should I do if I think I have Gambling Addiction?

Reach out for a confidential assessment with a licensed therapist or addiction specialist in Columbus; MiResource can help you find providers who fit your needs and insurance. Consider calling 1-800-GAMBLER or the Ohio Problem Gambling addiction Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 for 24/7 support and referrals. Ask your primary care provider about local treatment options, and consider Gamblers Anonymous meetings in Columbus for peer support. If you’re in immediate crisis, call or text 988.

6) How can I talk to others about my Gambling Addiction?

Choose a trusted person and share what you’re comfortable with, using simple “I” statements (for example, “I’m getting help for Gambling Addiction and would appreciate support”). Let them know how they can help—such as not inviting you to gambling activities, helping you stick to boundaries, or checking in. Set clear limits about money and conversations, and remember you don’t have to share details that feel private. You can also offer resources, like MiResource or 1-800-GAMBLER, to guide the discussion. 

Find care for you

Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.

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