Blog - The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association

ANZMHA Podcast: Tony Clarkson

Written by Lorien Stoetzel | Sep 12, 2022 11:17:25 PM

Recognition of gambling addiction and the harm it causes has come a long way.

Gone are the days when public and even clinical perceptions of gambling addiction focused on the personal responsibility paradigm.

But in terms of treatment, support, prevention and even stigma we still have a long way to go.

This week’s guest Tony Clarkson is the Vice-President of the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia and a board member with the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, where he also chairs the Clinical & Community Council.

He currently works as the Principal Clinical Advisor at the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, where he provides clinical advice for a state-wide gambling addiction service system. He also continues to work in private practice as a psychotherapist with long term patients who present with trauma, addiction, and relationship issues.

Stay tuned as Tony joins me to explore where we are in terms of screening, treating, preventing, and understanding gambling harm; where it sits within the AOD and mental health systems and if is this the right place for it.