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The Counselling Process
Following an initial phone contact, clients are invited to make an appointment to see a counsellor. Every effort is made to encourage participation by the client and the client’s partner or family in counselling sessions, as it is vital that all involved parties understand the issues relating to problem gambling. In the initial counselling session, the client’s main concerns are identified and their goals are discussed. An assessment of the client’s situation is then undertaken, including gambling type, pattern, history, financial, family, social situation and mental and emotional state. The counsellor and client may then agree on counselling strategies and the number of counselling sessions.
Wesley Gambling Counselling Service provides an individually tailored counselling program, which may include personal counselling, financial counselling, family support and legal services.
Clients are encouraged and supported to negotiate with their creditors when experiencing financial difficulties. However, in some cases, a client may be so overwhelmed by the particular circumstances that direct negotiations may be required to be undertaken by the gambling counsellor on the client’s behalf. This is only a short-term assistance as all clients are encouraged and assisted to regain control of their own lives.
In certain instances, creditor negotiations fail and assistance with bankruptcy proceedings may be required by the client. In other cases, clients may require specialist legal advice on particular matters.
This is where our integrated, team approach to counselling comes to the fore - the counsellor and the lawyer working together with the client and the client’s family with the goal of resolving the problems facing the client and the family, and providing a sound basis for dealing with the incidence of problem gambling in the future.
