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Specialist Psychology · Sports Betting & Gambling
Is gambling controlling or ruining your life?
Do you have a compulsive urge to punt?
Sports betting/punting is like an addiction without a drug. Willpower alone isn’t enough when the emotional triggers and urges remain. We help men break the cycle of sports betting and gambling using evidence-informed psychology – including CBT and EMDR – delivered with genuine understanding of sporting culture.
Face-to-face in East Melbourne · Virtual sessions Australia-wide
You're not alone.
Do you have a punting problem?
Take the following self-assessment.
Many gamblers are unaware of the underlying emotional triggers behind their desire to punt.
The following questionnaire is based on the DSM-5, which is designed to measure the severity of a gambling addiction.
Please note that your answers are confidential and will not be shared with anyone.
Scoring guidance
- 0–6: Low risk indicators
- 7–13: Moderate — some signs worth monitoring or discussing with a professional
- 14–20: Higher risk — signs consistent with problem gambling; a professional assessment is highly recommended
OUR APPROACH
Beyond talk therapy.
"EMDR helps de-power the memories,
urges and triggers that lead to relapse."
Reference image only — illustrative, not an actual client.
OUR EXPERTISE
Meet the practitioners.
Specialist, deep expertise in an addiction without a drug — backed by research and our own published book, Exiting the Gambling Addiction.
Colin Beames
PSYCH MAPS
Registered Psychologist (Medicare Number: 6356011K), with a wealth of professional counselling experience including: change and transitions, careers, stress and anxiety, as well as addictions.
Jan Beames
PACFA CLIN.
EMDRAA MEM.
Clinical Member, PACFA. Member, EMDRAA. Specialist in EMDR, with extensive experience supporting professional and amateur athletes.
Rooted in Australian sport.
Colin is the son of Percy Beames, AFL Hall of Fame member and Sheffield Shield cricketer. Jan is the niece of Keith Miller, one of Australia’s greatest Test cricketers and a VFL footballer with St Kilda. It gives us a genuine, insider understanding of the culture, pressure and pull of the sporting world — we speak your language.
Understanding the Cycle
The three phases of gambling.
Knowing where you sit on this sequence is often the first step toward exiting it.
Initiation
Early wins create excitement, arousal and a sense of belonging — the hook that draws people in.
→Chasing
Losses mount. The urge to “win it back” takes hold, and betting shifts from a game to a compulsion.
→Crisis point
Debt, secrecy and strain on relationships. This is where most people finally reach out for help.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
- — In a weird way, I used to gamble until I lost all of my money, which then provided me with a sense of relief – it was the only way I could stop!
- — If I don’t gamble, I feel bored! I craved the excitement and adrenaline when I gambled.
- — My gambling has caused hurt to my family, more than the money that I’ve lost, as a result of my lying and betrayal.
- — I feel a deep sense of shame from what I have put my family and friends through with my gambling.
- — My gambling was out of control – I couldn’t stop – I would gamble on overseas horse races, even though I didn’t know any of the horses!
Real recoveries, in their own words, from champion AFL players.
I saw Jan once a fortnight and it was instantly effective. I felt a burden lifting. I didn’t gamble for years after that.
Sam Docherty
As well as sorting out my gambling, Jan helped me resolve other areas of my life. I saw four other counsellors before her — none were remotely effective.
Jake Stringer
Jan Beames has played an incredible role in my recovery from all sorts of addictive behaviour, not just gambling. Seeing Jan was the best investment I ever made.
David Schwarz
Resources
Want to Find Out More?
Exiting the Gambling Addiction
Authored by Colin and Jan Beames — years of research and clinical practice mapping the three phases of gambling and the blueprint for exit.
The GES Article Library
Free articles available for download:
GET IN TOUCH
Your enquiry is completely confidential.
Whether you have a question about our approach or are ready to start, we’re here to
help.
We value your privacy. Your information is never shared with third parties or sporting organisations without your explicit consent.
DIRECT
0411 484 923 (click-to-call)
CLINIC
Eastbourne Professional Suites
62 Wellington Street, East Melbourne, VIC 3002
Conveniently located with parking and public transport access nearby.
All enquiries are confidential. We value your privacy and information will never be shared with third parties or sporting organisations without your explicit consent.
If you are in immediate crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Gambling Exit Solutions
Specialist psychology for men breaking the cycle of sports betting and gambling.
© 2026 Gambling Exit Solutions