About this course

Gambling-related harm presents a significant and growing challenge for mental health and addiction services. In line with current NICE guidance, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the recommended first-line psychological treatment for Gambling Disorder. This full-day, in-person workshop provides clinicians with a practical introduction to delivering evidence-based CBT interventions for people experiencing gambling-related difficulties.


The workshop focuses on the core components of CBT for gambling, moving from collaborative assessment and case formulation through to treatment planning and intervention. Participants will explore strategies for enhancing motivation to change, developing behavioural alternatives to gambling, and addressing common gambling-related beliefs and cognitive biases. The training will also demonstrate how principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be integrated with CBT to strengthen treatment and support long-term recovery.


The day is highly interactive, with learning centred around a detailed clinical case study. Through guided formulation exercises, small-group discussions, skills practice, and clinical examples, participants will have the opportunity to apply CBT principles to realistic treatment scenarios and develop confidence in using these approaches within their own practice.


A working knowledge of the CBT model and foundational CBT skills is recommended to gain maximum benefit from this workshop. 

 

Skills You will Learn

  • Develop an individualised CBT formulation for Gambling Disorder.
  • Apply motivational strategies to enhance engagement and readiness for change.
  • Use behavioural interventions to reduce gambling and increase meaningful alternative activities.
  • Identify and work therapeutically with gambling-related thoughts, beliefs, and cognitive distortions.
  • Integrate selected ACT-informed techniques alongside CBT to increase psychological flexibility and improve treatment outcomes.

 

Location

CNWL Trust Headquarters
350 Euston Road
Regent’s Place
London NW1 3AX

Dates

5 February 2027

Time

09:30 am - 04:30 pm

Duration

Full day

Setting

Face to face

Cost

£75

CBT for Gambling Disorder: A Practical Skills Workshop

£75.00


The trainer

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Dr Venetia Leonidaki is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the National Centre for Behavioural Addictions, part of Central and North West London Foundation NHS Trust (CNWL).

Dr Leonidaki is a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist and supervisor and teaches on postgraduate CBT and behavioural addiction training programmes across England.

Dr Leonidaki has delivered workshops and invited teaching on CBT, gambling-related harms, and behavioural addictions for organisations including the BABCP, the British Psychological Society, and the National Centre for Behavioural Addictions. She is co-editor of the self-help CBT book Breaking Free: How to Stop Gambling and has published peer-reviewed research and book chapters on addiction and psychotherapy. She regularly presents her work at national and international professional conferences.