Gambling Addiction & Problem Gambling - A Case Study

Naomi is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology Honours) from Monash University and has been trained in a variety of therapies for individuals, couples, and families.

Having worked in both public settings and private practice, Naomi has the experience and training to assist her clients with a range of concerns, including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, addictions, trauma, stress, self-esteem and relationships. Part of Naomi’s approach is to explore how her clients’ present issues have been influenced by their previous experiences.

When working with couples, Naomi aims to bring her clients into a space in which they can be oriented towards caring for, and empathising with, one another. She draws on Family Systems and Attachment theories to inform her approach, and she has been formally trained in Gottman Therapy.

Naomi also has a particular interest in perinatal mental health. She is a recognised provider of perinatal non-directive counselling, and her training in this area has provided her with the expertise to support individuals experiencing mental health issues before, during and after pregnancy.

Naomi’s personal therapeutic approach is warm, empathic and client-centred. She assists clients by drawing on their strengths and helping them develop the necessary skills required to overcome their difficulties, and improve coping.

Wade is a Counsellor and Psychotherapist, registered with PACFA. He holds a Bachelor of Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and a Graduate Diploma of Mental Health and Neuroscience from the University of the Sunshine Coast, with extensive advanced training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.

Wade’s career began in hospital and community mental health settings, including several years leading a therapeutic program and multidisciplinary team. This gave him broad experience supporting people through a wide range of life challenges before he moved into private practice.

Since moving into private practice, Wade works with individuals, supporting them with a range of concerns including anxiety, stress and burnout, low mood, grief, relationship and attachment difficulties, and past trauma. He has a particular interest in trauma, attachment, men’s health and addiction-related concerns.

Wade’s approach draws primarily on Internal Family Systems, integrating trauma-informed, attachment-based, psychodynamic, EMDR, and polyvagal-informed techniques. He works deeply and relationally with his clients, taking the time to understand what’s beneath the surface and build a genuine sense of trust and connection. He believes lasting change comes through the relationship itself, not just the techniques used within it.

Wade describes his style as clear, honest and human, creating a space paced to each client where they can explore what’s present for them without judgement or pressure.

Sue is a Registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist and a member of PACFA (Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia). She holds a Graduate Diploma in Counselling from ACAP University College in which she was National DUX, and a Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Prior to starting a private practice, Sue worked in hospital settings where she gained significant experience in a broad range of presentations including trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and relationship issues. In this role she facilitated group therapy sessions as well as one-on-one trauma-informed psychotherapy sessions, and also facilitated patient workshops and lectures. Sue has also worked with renowned experiential trauma programme facilitators across the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

When working with clients, Sue takes an integrative, trauma-informed and person-centered approach. She also uses a psychodynamic relational model and employs the dynamic interplay between internal world and relational experiences. At times, Sue will also engage creative techniques, narrative therapy and Gestalt therapies to facilitate new ways of processing and expressing feelings.

Prior to her work as a counsellor, Sue worked for 25 years running creative businesses in both design and recruitment where she honed her ability to tailor innovative solutions to individual needs, and build trust-based relationships - skills she now brings to her therapeutic practice.

Sue is compassionate and an authentic counsellor, focussed on creating a supportive environment for her clients to promote personal growth and recovery. Sue is passionate about helping her clients reconnect with their sense of self and purpose.

Petra is a Registered Counsellor and member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) with experience in various roles across the healthcare industry. She holds a Diploma from the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors and a Graduate Diploma in Relationship Counselling, as well as advanced accreditations in grief & loss, addiction, abuse and eating disorders.

Petra has worked extensively with a diverse range of individuals across multiple organisations in both the aged care, clinical and charity sectors. Through her time at the Butterfly Foundation, Petra empowered her clients through evidence-based therapy to help them overcome negative eating patterns. Petra also has specific experience treating complex mental health in elderly clients, supporting them through issues such as trauma, grief and cognitive decline. Prior to her commencing a career in counselling, Petra worked in various roles within the corporate space, collaborating and liaising with an assortment of professionals, helping shape the person-centred approach she utlises in therapy today.

In private practice, Petra’s focus is to meet and understand where individuals are at in their lives, and best support them using a variety of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solutions Focused Therapy, ACT, Strengths Based Therapy and Narrative Therapy. In her sessions, Petra assists her clients in a range of concerns, including anger management, depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief & loss, self-esteem issues, workplace stress, as well as more complex mental health including eating disorders and addiction.

Petra is an insightful and altruistic counsellor, who believes everyone is unique in their counselling needs and, as such, aims to personalise each session to the individual. Creating safe, supportive and confidential spaces for people to engage, Petra uses empathy and understanding to support her clients in their mental health journey and onto more fulfilling lives.

Alexandra is a highly experienced Registered Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Relationship Counsellor, who holds a Bachelor of Counselling, Psychotherapy and Human Change, as well as various diplomas in Group Work and Facilitation, Problem Gambling and Couples Counselling.

Alexandra has worked extensively with complex and diverse clients providing psychoeducation within government and non-government settings, working mainly for non-profit organisations. She has worked as a bilingual cross-cultural counsellor for NSW Health, speaking both English and Greek, and has worked in counselling and group therapy roles for St Vincents de Paul, Nepean Local Health District and Relationships Australia.

Alexandra has an emotionally client-centred perspective to her therapeutic process, creating safe, respectful and confidential environments to conduct her counselling sessions. Drawing on a variety of modalities, she uses a systematic approach based on Attachment Theory, Solution Focused Behavioural Therapy, as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Through her years of experience, Alexandra assists her clients in a wide array of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress management, grief & loss, work related issues, as well as more complex mental health such as trauma, abuse, schizophrenia and chronic pain management.

Through her career at Relationships Australia, Alexandra has extensive experience working with couples, from both traditional and same sex relationships, with a focus on issues like communication, intimacy problems, parenting difficulties and infidelity.

Alexandra instills a ‘come as you are’ mantra, often using a holistic approach to tailor her sessions to her clients’ personal needs for the best possible outcome, as well as supporting them moving forward with their lives.

Paul is a Registered Psychologist and a SIRA-accredited practitioner. He holds both a Graduate and Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychology from the University of New England and Charles Sturt University respectively, as well as a Diploma of Psychological Practice and a Masters of Business Administration from Macquarie University.

Prior to moving into the mental health industry, Paul worked within the corporate space for over two decades, managing teams in both the financial and communications sectors. From his time at various banking and media companies, Paul coordinated and collaborated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping shape his personalised approach to therapy today. Using such experiences with complex workplace dynamics, Paul has also tailored psychological interventions and assessments for workers compensation clients in their journey to recovery.

In private practice, Paul is passionate about supporting individuals through difficult life transitions and mental health challenges. Utilising a range of modalities, Paul primarily focuses on the Person-Centred approach in therapy, also drawing on elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed training. Within his sessions, Paul assists his clients in anxiety, depression, stress, perfectionism, workplace issues, relationships, as well as more complex presentations such as trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For those clients presenting with trauma-related concerns, Paul is also trained to provide EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).

Paul is an empathetic and personable psychologist, dedicated to making meaningful changes to the lives of his clients. Through helping individuals better understand themselves and how they operate within their environment, Paul enables his patients toward positive change and personal growth.

Dinah is a Registered Counsellor and member of the Australian Counselling Association. She holds both a Graduate Diploma in Psychological Sciences from the Australian College of Applied Professions and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling from the University of New England, as well as a Bachelor in Biomedical Science from the University of Technology Sydney.

Having worked in the medical and mental health space for a number of years, Dinah has supported individuals experiencing moderate to severe mental health concerns, providing acute care and support for those in crisis. Through her time in both private and non-government organisations, Dinah has used evidence-based therapies to empower patients on their mental health journey.

Within private practice, Dinah has a holistic, person-centred approach to her counselling, building personal strategies and developing positive thinking through empathy to strengthen her clients’ interpersonal skills. Using a range of therapeutic approaches, Dinah has a particular focus on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness Strategies. During her sessions, Dinah assists her clients in a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, self-esteem and phobias, as well as more complex mental health such as addiction and eating disorders. Dinah has a special interest in supporting clients with issues surrounding sexuality and gender identity.

Working with couples, Dinah has a broad range of experience with both traditional and non-traditional relationships, focusing on issues including arguments and communication, intimacy and sex, infidelity and stagnation.

Dinah is an empathetic and optimistic practitioner, taking a client-focused approach during her sessions. Working in partnership with her patients, Dinah aims to empower and bring about positive change as her clients move forward with their lives.

Christine is a professional counsellor and psychotherapist. She holds a Bachelor in Social Science, a Graduate Certificate in Psychotherapy Studies and is a member of the Australian Somatic Psychotherapy Association and the Australian Hypnotherapist’s Association.

Christine has over 20 years experience as a clinical counsellor in the public sector (for the NSW Police and Women’s Health) and in private practice. She has experience working with a range of client presentations, including self-esteem, trauma, grief, sexual abuse, domestic violence, parenting, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, post natal depression, workplace stress, disorders of the self and addictive behaviour.

Whilst Christine’s underlying framework is psychodynamic and humanist, she takes a client-centred approach to her therapeutic interventions and utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches depending on the client’s specific issues and emotional capacity. Christine believes that each person’s requirements are unique and her therapy is guided by that belief. This is a collaborative approach, whereby Christine works together with the client to form a therapeutic alliance.

Both conscious and unconscious processes are explored as people are helped to manage their thoughts and emotions, and challenge patterns of behavior - enabling change, where desired, and better ways of being and living. When Christine works with couples, she uses a combined approach drawing on intra-psychic and systemic modalities, understanding the individuals and what happens between them as a system of relating.

Christine works with the client as a whole person, rather than as a set of ‘symptoms’ or ‘pathologies’ to be treated. People manifest their emotional difficulties in different forms in an effort to adapt. Christine focuses her therapy on what works and the resources people have within to draw from and help them to understand that they can make changes and improve their experience of life.

Jenna is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Relationship Therapist with over 15 years experience supporting individuals, couples and families. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Melbourne and is endorsed as a Specialist Couple Therapist by Relationships Australia (Victoria).

Jenna's career began in family services, supporting vulnerable children and families across a range of community and health settings. This included developing group programs for mothers experiencing mental health difficulties and social isolation, giving her broad experience across the different stages of family life. She now works in private practice where she works with clients from a broad cross section of the community.

Jenna supports both individuals and couples experiencing a wide range of issues including anxiety and depression, attachment and connection, historical or intergenerational trauma, sexual and intimacy issues, affairs, family conflict and communication difficulties. She has particular experience supporting neurodivergent clients, and holds a special interest in perinatal mental health, including the transition to parenthood, parent-child attachment, and birth trauma.

Jenna draws on a strengths-based, attachment, family-systems and trauma-informed framework, tailoring her approach to the needs of each client. She integrates Internal Family Systems therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Gottman Method couple therapy, and is a qualified Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator, drawing on this when working with parents of young children.

Jenna works with individuals and couples to build an authentic, safe and trusting relationship in which to understand the challenges they face, helping clients build resilience and form deeper, more secure connections with themselves and others.