Video Game Addiction Therapy in Florida
Is gaming starting to feel less like fun and more like something you can’t fully control?
Counseling to help you:
Regain Self Control
Improve productivity
Feel less anxious
Build a fuller life outside the screen
Therapy for Video Game Addiction
I’m Joseph Brooks. I work with adults in Gainesville and across Florida who want support around gaming overuse in a way that feels calm, practical, and nonjudgmental.
Some people want to quit entirely. Others want to just reduce gaming and regain balance. I support people with both goals, whether you feel addicted or just stuck in a habit that no longer feels healthy.
“I look up and realize I skipped the whole night.”
“I keep negotiating with myself and losing.”
“I game to avoid stress, but it makes my stress worse.”
“I am falling behind and I know this is part of it.”
“I hide how much I play because I am embarrassed.”
“I do not like who I become when I am stuck in this loop.”
This pattern can leave you exhausted, discouraged, and feeling like you’re carrying a private struggle.
How video game addiction treatment works:
This is practical, action-based therapy for real life change, not just endless talking. Every week you will make one or two small changes in your life and see what works.
I don’t want you to be dependent on therapy. I want you to leave with new skills and self trust so that you can handle the hard moments on your own.
How People Describe Progress in Gaming Addiction Therapy
People often come to therapy wanting relief, clarity, and a sense of control again.
While I can’t guarantee anything, over time many notice:
Less urges with better tools to ride them out
More self trust and self respect
A calmer baseline in your nervous system
More consistent routines that hold up in real life
More motivation for offline goals and relationships
What to expect in Gaming Addiction Therapy:
Step 1:
Before making changes, we gain clarity on what is actually happening.
Vulnerability Check
We look at sleep, stress, boredom, loneliness, and unstructured time that make gaming harder to stop.Pattern and Payoff Map
We identify what gaming is doing for you in the moment: escape, stimulation, connection, accomplishment, or relief.Values and Goals Plan
We clarify what you want more of: focus, energy, progress, relationships, confidence, or rest.
In my work, I see gaming become compelling because it meets real needs quickly.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting these things. The difficulty is that those quick bursts can crowd out the slower, deeper forms of satisfaction that come from connection, meaning, and real-life progress.
Step 2:
Once we have clarity, we build a simple plan for the moments you usually lose.
Typical Focus Areas:
Step 3:
Begin changes in your real life.
This is where things start to feel different. You’ll test small routine changes and practice skills in real moments. We keep it manageable and steady, so progress can build over time.
Simple cycle:
Test a small change in real life
Notice what helped and what didn’t
Adjust the plan for your hardest windows
Repeat and build on what works
We’re building something you can keep using long after therapy: skills, routines, and self trust.
A note from Joe:
I’m glad you found your way here.
I also want you to know you’re not alone in this. I’ve had my own seasons of feeling stuck in patterns I didn’t feel proud of. Getting support in therapy helped change my life and lead me down this current path.
My approach is not about shaming or lecturing. This is practical therapy for a practical problem.
This work focuses on self improvement, and giving you things to work on in your own life outside of sessions.
I do not want you to be dependent on therapy. I want you to leave with skills and self trust so you can handle hard moments on your own.
More on how I work:
A nonjudgmental alliance with accountability
A consistent place to be honest, track patterns, and reset quickly when you get off track.
Evidence informed, skills based approach
Practical tools you can use under stress, not just insight that makes sense on a good day.Between session structure
Small weekly experiments and routine changes so progress continues outside the therapy room.Self improvement, not just “stop gaming”
Building a life you actually want to show up for, so gaming takes up less space over time.
Joseph Brooks, MA, RMHCI
Founder and Owner, Brooks Counseling & Wellness
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Florida registration status: Active
Clear Through: 10/2030
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (IMH28583)
Supervised by Jorelle Degen, LMHC (MH14882)
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling
Therapy for Video Game Addiction- What to Expect in the First Session
Therapy is available in person and through secure telehealth across Florida.
Sessions are 50 minutes and $80 per session, self-pay only.
Some people want just a few sessions to get some clarity, others stay for longer term therapy. Both are completely OK.
During a First Session:
Explore what’s been going on
We talk about your gaming habits, late-night patterns, and the stress or pressure behind them. You can share at whatever pace feels right.Noticing what you want from support
You don’t need a clear goal. We explore whether you want to quit, cut back, or simply feel more balanced.Finding a rhythm that fits your life
We start shaping a plan that feels realistic — small steps, steadier routines, and changes that don’t feel overwhelming.
If you’d like support with quitting gaming, cutting back, or finding a healthier balance, you can easily book a session at a time that works for you.
Quick FAQs
Do I have to give up gaming completely?
No. You decide what balance looks like. Many people want gaming to stay in their life — just without the exhaustion or late-night cycles.
How do I know if my gaming is becoming “too much”?
If it’s affecting sleep, energy, motivation, or meaningful parts of life, support may help. You don’t need a diagnosis to reach out. Some people find it helpful to look at common patterns of gaming or screen overuse, without needing to label it as an addiction.
What if gaming is my main coping tool?
That’s very common. Therapy can help you build more ways to feel grounded and connected, so gaming isn’t the only place that feels good.
What if I struggle with focus, ADHD, or motivation outside of gaming?
Many of my clients have ADHD or focus issues, and we can take time to understand them together.
What if I’m looking for gaming addiction treatment near me, but don’t live close by?
You don’t have to be nearby to get help quitting gaming, I work with anyone located in Florida. Telehealth sessions are confidential, private, and flexible, so you can meet from home, your car, or any quiet space that feels comfortable.
Is it okay if I only want a few sessions?
Absolutely. Some people come for short-term clarity. Others prefer ongoing support. You choose what feels right.