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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting video game addiction counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 6 therapists in Tennessee available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Video game addiction counseling

What is Video game addiction counseling?

Thriveworks video game addiction counseling in Johnson City, TN helps people who have an obsession with playing video games as well as with the more severe internet gaming disorder. People may have mild, moderate, or severe internet gaming disorder if they struggle to control how often or how long they game. The symptoms of internet gaming disorder may include deceiving loved ones about when and how often they play, thinking constantly about gaming, and using video games as a distraction from real-world problems.

How does Video game addiction counseling work?

Thriveworks video game addiction counseling in Johnson City helps those who suffer by assisting them in regaining control over video gaming. In addition, it can help them cope with the negative effects of video game addiction counseling from anxiety to depression, insomnia, and more.

Is Video game addiction counseling conducted in person or online?

Video game addiction counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and through Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does Video game addiction counseling last?

The length of video game addiction counseling depends on the individual's needs as well as the extent and severity of their problem and those that might stem from it. That said, people can make meaningful progress in the first weeks to months of therapy.

Need more help deciding?

Kendall started playing video games with his friends in college—they would play for hours together. When he started his first job and moved into his own apartment, he kept playing—just by himself. Kendall comes home most days and plays until he falls asleep. Recently, he has been turning down invitations to go out with friends so he can keep gaming. The other week, he played video games throughout the night and then had to go to work without any sleep. Kendall knows this is becoming a problem; he’s having difficulty stopping and wonders if he may have a video game addiction.

Not all addictions are chemical dependencies; some are behavior compulsions, such as a gambling addiction. The research is not definitive on whether video games fit the strict definition of an addiction, but many mental health professionals agree that many people can begin struggling with impulse control regarding their use of video games. Whether the label is addiction or not, many people are replacing their real-world connections with friends and family with their emotional attachment to video games.

Thriveworks Johnson City offers therapy for video game addiction, and our therapists have helped many people regain control over their use of video games and learn healthy coping skills for handling life’s challenges.

Internet Gaming Disorder

What many people refer to as a video game addition, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) addresses as an internet gaming disorder. The DSM-5 calls for more research to be conducted before internet gaming disorder is acknowledged as an official disorder. But the DSM-5 gives criteria for diagnosing internet gaming disorder as well as severity modifiers. A person may have a mild, moderate, or severe internet gaming disorder, depending upon how many symptoms they present.

Symptoms may include…

  • Developing a gaming tolerance—playing for longer periods of time in order to feel satisfied.
  • Obsessing about games.
  • Using video games to soothe difficult emotions such as guilt, sadness, anxiety, or fear.
  • Playing video games to avoid real-life problems.
  • When playing less or trying to stop gaming, feeling withdrawal symptoms—moodiness, irritability, restlessness, or depression.
  • Passing on time with loved ones or professional/educational opportunities in order to game.
  • Lying about how much and when one plays.

Parents, especially, should know about these signs for their children:

    • Sleeping during the day or at school—general lethargy.
    • Not completing school assignments.
    • Poor/declining school performance.
    • Lost interest/quitting previously beloved activities and sports.
    • Gaming by themselves.

These behaviors may signal that someone is losing control of their gaming. Video game addictions and internet gaming disorders are about control: whether or not a person can control when, where, and how long they play video games.

Causes of Internet Gaming Disorder

There is much research to be conducted on why people develop compulsive gaming use, but one possible cause is the use of core loops within games. Social networking games, massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), and mobile games have compulsion, or core loops, within their game’s narrative. These loops draw people further into the game through challenges and rewards that release dopamine within a player’s brain, and thus the loops connect gaming and satisfaction.

For example, in Monster Hunter, when players battle and defeat one monster, they are rewarded with more powers and then presented with the opportunity to battle a stronger monster with their new powers. Once that stronger monster is defeated, then even more powers are rewarded, and more powerful monsters are presented, and so forth. With each cycle, players also receive a release of dopamine.

Seeking Help for Compulsive Gaming

Compulsive gaming can greatly affect a person’s life—causing relational, emotional, and physical challenges:

  • Relational: Lying about video game use, spending too much money on gaming, or prioritizing gaming over time with loved ones can drive relational wedges between people who struggle with compulsive gaming and their loved ones.
  • Emotional: Having a double life online with an alter-ego or avatar can lead to depression or an anxiety disorder in real life.
  • Physical: Health problems can plague people who cannot control their gaming. They may experience sleep disturbances, dry eyes, severe headaches, back pain, and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.

Are you experiencing these challenges because of your gaming? Is your child or someone you love experiencing these challenges? Help is available. Thriveworks Johnson City offers therapy for internet gaming disorder.

If you are ready to overcome the disruptions in your life that gaming is causing, know that when you call Thriveworks Johnson City, you may be able to meet with a therapist within 24 hours—many new clients do. We also accept many insurance plans.

Are you ready to overcome your compulsive gaming habits? We are ready to help. Call Thriveworks Johnson City today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Johnson City therapists and counselors accept 21 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee | BCBS

  • BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

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Self-pay costs at Johnson City
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Thriveworks Johnson City reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
I have met with MJ ( Marissa) Jordan at the Johnson City,TN location for 5-6 sessions. My main issue is gaining understanding and knowledge of how and why I act the way I do, and what changes I need to make. Her ability to help me understand and change without feeling bad about myself is amazing! She uses enlightening personal examples that make it easy for me to comprehend. I am learning so much about how making a few positive changes will allow me to become a better person. I highly suggest MJ if you're looking for help with personal issues!
Read more I have met with MJ ( Marissa) Jordan at the Johnson City,TN location for 5-6 sessions. My main issue is gaining understanding and knowledge of how and why I act the way I do, and what changes I need to make. Her ability to help me understand and change without feeling bad about myself is amazing! She uses enlightening personal examples that make it easy for me to comprehend. I am learning so much about how making a few positive changes will allow me to become a better person. I highly suggest MJ if you're looking for help with personal issues!
Johnson Apr 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling Johnson City, TN is located off of W Springbrook Dr, right before the intersection of Mimosa and Springbrook. We also share a building with several other businesses, including Sylvan Learning and Addus HomeCare. Our neighbors are Talbot’s, Peerless Properties and Development, and Holiday Inn Johnson City. Parking is available directly in front of our office, and the closest bus stop is Springbrook - Holiday Inn.

Phone number

(423) 556-4554

Languages spoken by TN providers

  • English
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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