Gambling harms service

The service is a clinical team made up of psychologists, therapists, mental health practitioners and psychiatrists. Within the team there are ‘experts by experience’ – people who have recovered from a gambling addiction themselves.

It is free and confidential to people who are registered with a GP in the East Midlands and can be accessed directly via self-referral or through a professional referral such as from your GP.

Once you  refer yourself  or contact the team, you can expect to receive a response from one of the team within 72 hours. You will be asked for some basic information, including some personal details. You will also be provided with details of other organisations that can offer immediate support and advice.

You will then be sent, by email or post, a questionnaire to complete. This is so the team can find out more about your gambling problems and any other issues you may be facing.

 

There are various treatment and support options including Preparation for Change workshops, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy and help with other difficulties you may experience alongside gambling such as debt, alcohol and substance misuse issues, stress, depression, anxiety and trauma.

 

Where you and the clinical team agree it is the right thing to do, you will be put in touch with other organisations and services that can help you. In certain cases, you may also be offered other specific therapies to help address your needs.

 

The service is managed by  Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust , and receives support from some of the Trust’s partner organisations. It is one of a number of NHS gambling services now in operation across the country, funded by NHS England as part of the  NHS Long Term Plan . 

The video below explains more about the service