Comparison of two versions of psychological therapy for gambling disorder

INTERVENTION: A cognitively‐focused treatment (referred to as Cognitive Deconstructional Therapy, or CDT) focusing on helping clients understand how their erroneous cognitions about how their preferred form of gambling operate result in their gambling behaviour. It then provides corrective information, as well as helping clients better understand their motivation to gamble. CDT contains 8 modules: (a) early experiences with gambling, (b) stages of change in gambling behaviour, (c) theories of winning at gambling, (d) randomness and unpredictability; (e) return to player percentage and value; (f) temporality and futility of gambling; (g) non‐financial motivations to gamble, and (h) review and relapse prevention. The treatment will include use of multi‐media materials to visualise concepts of randomness, unpredictability and return‐to‐player percentage that have been developed at the University of Sydney Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic. These materials will comprise of short animations, mathematical simulations and spreadsheets, and will be presented via computer during face‐to‐face therapy sessions. Treatment will be delivered by intern psychologists and registered psychologists who have been trained in the treatment of problem gambling. Session will be delivered individually and face‐to‐face. Participants will attend a minimum of 8 one hour sessions, once a week, although treatment may be extended for individual participants if necessary. Treatment will occur at the University of Sydney's Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic, or at one of it's outreach locations at Parramatta and Campbelltown. Sessions will be recorded to monitor treatment adherence. CONDITION: Gambling Disorder PRIMARY OUTCOME: Attitudes towards gambling, assessed by: Gambling Beliefs Questionnaire (Steenbergh et al, 2002) ; Gambling behaviour. Assessed by: ; a) Problem Gambling Severity Index (Ferris & Wynne, 2001) ; b) Time and Money Gambling Questionnaire (developed in‐house) ; Knowledge about gambling, assessed by: Gambling Knowledge Questionnaire (developed in‐house) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Gambling related harm, assessed by Gambling Effects Measure (developed in‐house) ; Urges to gamble, assessed by: Gambling Urge Scale (Raylu & Oei, 2004) ; INCLUSION CRITERIA: a) Have self‐presented to the Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic for assistance in reducing or stopping their gambling b) Have gambled within the past month