Robert Ladouceur’s cognitive-behavioural conception of therapy for pathological gamblers

The aim of this paper is to present a model of psychotherapy for people diagnosed with pathological gambling, which was developed by Robert Ladouceur within the cognitive-behavioural approach. The main premise of this model is addressing patients’ erroneous beliefs, as well as providing them with behavioural strategies that they can use to avoid situations conducive to gambling. The presented model can be applied to either individual or group therapy. There are recommendations provided for each of them concerning the course and content of the individual sessions. The paper also presents a short case study showing the use of this approach in the therapy of a patient with a pathological gambling problem.