Are you curious about whether video gaming or gambling is creating a problem for yourself or a loved one?
Want to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff persons? Not sure if you are wanting or needing treatment?
Peopleworks is offering half hour consults by phone at NO COST and NO OBLIGATION. Our funders through Responsible Gaming Programs in NM have provided funding to be able to offer these services at no charge to the public.
FEEL FREE TO BOOK HERE IF:
You have concerns about video gaming:
- You’re a parent who is concerned about the time your tween or teen spends video gaming
- You’re a parent who sees your tween or teen become disinterested in usual activities but spends more time video gaming
- You’re a parent who finds sudden charges on your credit card from your tween/teen’s gaming which you did not authorize or went beyond established limits
- You find yourself losing track of time or money spent in video games
- You are obsessed with the games and have trouble concentrating on other things
- You are having difficulty stopping
You have concerns about any type of gambling (lottery, casino, horse racing, sports betting, online apps)
- You’ve been losing sleep from late night gambling
- You are having trouble paying bills due to gambling
- You are missing work due to gambling
- You are obsessed with your next gambling experience
- You place bets online throughout the day
- You aren’t honest with others about the amount you are gambling
- You are having difficulty quitting or reducing your gambling
- Your relationships are becoming more distant due to your gambling
- Your phone apps are driving you crazy
- You aren’t getting the healthcare or dental care you need
- You are feeling desperate, or that life isn’t worth living
Friends, Relatives or Anyone with Concerns about Gambling
- You are a friend or relative or neighbor concerned about someone else’s gambling or video gaming
- You notice their unpaid bills or debt collectors calling
- You notice them giving lavish gifts suddenly, and intermittently
- You notice the loved one’s distancing or irritability
- You notice loss of interest in usual activities
- In general, when your loved one’s financial problems don’t make sense
What Peopleworks Can Do
We can do a brief screening, or just chat about the problems you or your loved one are experiencing. We can also provide referrals, or point you to self help materials for your own journey.
Our staff are licensed professionals, and we are bound by HIPAA (privacy) laws, even if we are not providing treatment. Please note that we will consider harm to self or others as a viable threat to your or others’ wellbeing, and will need to take steps for protection.
Susie Koestner, LPCC
Available Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Lunch Hour generally
Susie is a licensed mental health counselor who has career experience with college populations. As a parent of elementary aged children, Susie understands how technology impacts our life. Susie is highly concerned about the impact of video gaming and sports betting in youth and young adults. She is also fluent in Spanish, and is able to help native Spanish speakers. Susie has approximately 50 hours of training in problem gambling and is here to help.
Cindy Anderson, LCSW
Tues/Wed Late afternoon
Even though Cindy is in the Executive Director role at Peopleworks, she takes time to speak with people about their challenges with gambling, whether a family member or the person who is struggling. Cindy also continues to provide therapy for a handful of clients and understands that often there are co-occurring problems besides gambling. Cindy has significant expertise about problem gambling as an internationally certified gambling counselor, which she combines with doses of compassion.
Lojann Hooee, LADAC
Availability varies, with weeknight evenings, weekends possible.
Lojann is a strong advocate for persons experiencing harms from gambling, and has an advanced knowledge of problem gambling. As a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, Lojann has helped many persons through the years from teens through adulthood. She is a tribal member who networks frequently throughout tribal communities, and yet is able to relate to people of all ethnicities and backgrounds.
You may also access the following help:
National Hotline – 1-800-Gambler (800-426-2537)
NM Crisis Line – 1-855-662-7474
Brain Connections (Canada)
Gamban – blocks websites or apps for gambling on your devices
Evive app
Self Help Groups, some online – Gamblers Anonymous, Smart Recovery
Podcasts on Problem Gambling: Fold Em; Hello My Name is Craig; and The Broke Girl Society
