availability-icon

Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer help for video game addiction in Austin, TX

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance.

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you
Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

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

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

No current openings

All TX providers are fully booked, but check back tomorrow — sessions become available daily!

Starting Video game addiction counseling

What is video game addiction counseling?

Thriveworks video game addiction counseling in Austin, TX helps people who have an obsession with playing video games as well as with 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 Austin 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?

When Javen’s parents restricted his access to the computer, and thus his favorite online game, they were worried about him. He used to love soccer and school, but since he started playing, Counter-Strike, Javen has been obsessed. He does not want to do anything else except play. They even caught him playing by himself in the middle of the night. Once Javen’s parents implemented the restrictions, their concerns continued to grow. Javen became despondent without being able to play the game. Then, his parents found out he lied to them—playing at a friend’s house when he was supposed to be at soccer practice. Exasperated, Javen’s parents do not know what else to do, and they are nervous that he might have a video game addiction.

Research is still being conducted to determine if what people popularly call video game addiction fits the formal definition of addiction, but a few things are abundantly clear: a lot of people play video games compulsively and experience addiction-like symptoms that may be comparable to other behavior addictions such as gambling.

Another similarity exists between addictions and compulsive video game use: their treatment. Several 12-step programs have been developed to help gamers, and these programs are modeled after alcoholics anonymous. Many people are also looking to a mental health professional for help as they regain control over their video game habits.

The therapists at Thriveworks Austin have helped many people who struggle with compulsive video game play. Our professionals know what it takes to establish self-control again.

What Is Video Game Addiction?

People commonly speak of video game addiction, and The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) addresses this behavior as internet gaming disorder. Similar to other behavior addiction such as gambling, internet gaming disorder is an impulse control disorder: people have difficulty regulating their gaming.

DSM-5 outlines the criteria for internet gaming disorder, gives severity modifiers. The disorder is also classified within the section, “Conditions for Further Study.” DSM-5 calls for more research before it classifies internet gaming disorder as an official disorder.

According to DSM-5’s diagnostic criteria, people may have mild, moderate, or severe internet gaming disorder depending upon how many of the following symptoms they display:

  • Attempting to stop playing but without success.
  • Lying to friends, family, and/or therapists about game use.
  • Allowing video games to consume one’s life, while playing or not.
  • Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal (irritability, depression, moodiness, aggressiveness, or restlessness) when trying to stop playing or being unable to play.
  • Soothing uncomfortable feeling by gaming (guilt, sadness, shame, loneliness, anxiety, depression, disappointment, et cetera).
  • Missing opportunities to further one’s education or career because of video game use.
  • Prioritizing time gaming over time with friends or family.
  • Playing more and more to experiencing the same feelings of satisfaction.
  • Gaming to avoid real-world problems or responsibilities.
  • For parents, watch for these additional signs in children:
    • Incomplete school work.
    • Drowsiness and lethargy during the day.
    • Falling grades.
    • Apathy about activities they previously enjoyed.
    • Playing video games alone.

Potential Effects of Compulsive Gaming

Just as with other compulsive behaviors, internet gaming disorder can lead to devastating effects within a person’s life. Without appropriate interventions, compulsive gaming often causes physical, relational, and emotional difficulties:

  • Physical difficulties: Excessive video game play can distract people from caring for their bodies in appropriately, and often people let sleeping, eating, and hygiene slide. Gaming can also directly cause Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, headaches, and dry eyes.
  • Relational difficulties: Many of the behaviors video game addicts engage in are harmful to their loved ones. When people lie about their gaming, choose time playing over time with loved ones, or spend excessive money on video game equipment/fees, their relationships may suffer.
  • Emotional difficulties: When video games distract people from their challenging emotions, those feelings are never addressed and resolved. Instead, the emotional problems, often anxiety or depression, grow more challenging the longer they are left unaddressed.

Treatment for Internet Gaming Disorder at Thriveworks Austin

Do you recognize any of the signs of video game addiction in your own life or in your child’s? If video games are in control, know that help and support are available. Gaming does not have to cause emotional, relational, and physical difficulties. Many people are seeking out interventions that help them regain control of their gaming habits.

The mental health professionals at Thriveworks Austin offer treatment for internet gaming disorder, and we have appointments available. We work with adolescents and adults.

If you are ready to meet with a therapist, know that most new clients at Thriveworks Austin have their first appointment within 24 hours of their first call. We offer weekend and evening sessions, and we work with most insurance companies.

If you want to take back control of your video game habits, we are ready to help. Call Thriveworks Austin to get started.

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 Austin therapists and counselors accept 43 insurance plans

  • APEX Memorial Hermann

  • ARIA | Covenant Management Systems

  • Aetna

  • Ambetter by Superior Health Plan

  • Auto Club Enterprises (Employers Health Network)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Buist Byars and Taylor (Employers Health Network)

  • Carelon

  • Christus Health Plan Exchange

  • Christus Health Plan Medicare Advantage

Show more
Self-pay costs at Austin
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

3.7 Thriveworks Austin reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Amazing!!! I am beyond happy with the services provided by Dr. Nunez. She has been so amazing with my children and I am beyond grateful for her and ThriveWorks. I’d recommend her to anyone. She is incredibly talented and listens without judgement. If I could I’d give her a zillion stars for having the most positive, profound impact on our lives!
Read more Amazing!!! I am beyond happy with the services provided by Dr. Nunez. She has been so amazing with my children and I am beyond grateful for her and ThriveWorks. I’d recommend her to anyone. She is incredibly talented and listens without judgement. If I could I’d give her a zillion stars for having the most positive, profound impact on our lives!
West Lake Hills Sep 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I needed someone who was strong, kind, listened and was action oriented who had the experience to deal with the trauma I was struck with when I experienced severe loss of a loved one in 2016. Linda was and is present, intelligent, professional, human, warm and kind and at every session she has offered me practical solutions to face my life and my day to day activities. I highly recommend her. She Is so good it is very hard to get an appointment with her but if you can get one keep it. She is fabulous and will heal your spirit and soul in a safe and loving place. I love her strength more than anything and her optimism that anyone can get to a better place and not be stuck in pain and hopelessness. She is healing my heart and I feel like I have found a person who truly cares. This is a very good place.
Read more I needed someone who was strong, kind, listened and was action oriented who had the experience to deal with the trauma I was struck with when I experienced severe loss of a loved one in 2016. Linda was and is present, intelligent, professional, human, warm and kind and at every session she has offered me practical solutions to face my life and my day to day activities. I highly recommend her. She Is so good it is very hard to get an appointment with her but if you can get one keep it. She is fabulous and will heal your spirit and soul in a safe and loving place. I love her strength more than anything and her optimism that anyone can get to a better place and not be stuck in pain and hopelessness. She is healing my heart and I feel like I have found a person who truly cares. This is a very good place.
West Lake Hills Sep 2017
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I am gonna cry as I write this review... I have been working with Linda M. since I was married to my abusive ex husband and through my single time and my time meeting and marrying my current very wonderful husband. She has pushed me to be the very best person I can be and literally saved my life on several occasions. I'm moving to VA so I can't see Linda anymore and I'm telling you, this is my hardest goodbye. This woman is beyond amazing. She has forced me to take a good hard look at myself and work on everything: anxiety, borderline and PTSD to make me be a better person. You CANNOT go wrong with Linda. It's amazing how much one person and one session can change your life. I've tried therapy before, many times, with no luck until I got dragged to Thriveworks by someone close to me who wanted therapy to fix me! Well it didn't "fix me" it made me a totally new person. A happier, more confident person willing to take on the world. I even wanted Linda to come to my wedding, but knew she couldn't as she is very professional and this is against policy. But I would have had her there in a heart beat!
Read more I am gonna cry as I write this review... I have been working with Linda M. since I was married to my abusive ex husband and through my single time and my time meeting and marrying my current very wonderful husband. She has pushed me to be the very best person I can be and literally saved my life on several occasions. I'm moving to VA so I can't see Linda anymore and I'm telling you, this is my hardest goodbye. This woman is beyond amazing. She has forced me to take a good hard look at myself and work on everything: anxiety, borderline and PTSD to make me be a better person. You CANNOT go wrong with Linda. It's amazing how much one person and one session can change your life. I've tried therapy before, many times, with no luck until I got dragged to Thriveworks by someone close to me who wanted therapy to fix me! Well it didn't "fix me" it made me a totally new person. A happier, more confident person willing to take on the world. I even wanted Linda to come to my wedding, but knew she couldn't as she is very professional and this is against policy. But I would have had her there in a heart beat!
West Lake Hills Apr 2017
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
The office is quiet and peaceful. It is hard to beat an appointment within 24 hours and no waiting once you get there.
Read more The office is quiet and peaceful. It is hard to beat an appointment within 24 hours and no waiting once you get there.
West Lake Hills Mar 2017
Review left on Thriveworks.com
☆☆☆☆
Sadly, I was in at vulnerable time and felt taken advantage of with Lisa. She was late for appointments and cut appointments short with no apology. I had been charged for full appointments. If the patient is late or misses, we are charged regardless of the circumstances. Unfortunately, it doesn't go the other way with the therapists. I felt she was defended by Thriveworks for her actions. I can only hope that for the sake of the patients this will change.
Read more Sadly, I was in at vulnerable time and felt taken advantage of with Lisa. She was late for appointments and cut appointments short with no apology. I had been charged for full appointments. If the patient is late or misses, we are charged regardless of the circumstances. Unfortunately, it doesn't go the other way with the therapists. I felt she was defended by Thriveworks for her actions. I can only hope that for the sake of the patients this will change.
West Lake Hills Jun 2015
Review left on Thriveworks.com
☆☆☆☆
My teenage daughter with diagnosed social anxiety and anxiety and depression was dropped because your counselor could not meet at times that worked for the patient. No other doctor was recommended. A nice note was written but now I’m empty handed with a serious situation. And you all dumped us.
Read more My teenage daughter with diagnosed social anxiety and anxiety and depression was dropped because your counselor could not meet at times that worked for the patient. No other doctor was recommended. A nice note was written but now I’m empty handed with a serious situation. And you all dumped us.
West Lake Hills Apr 2015
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Austin is located in the same building as Detect Lab, Oakin Adams & Kilmer LLP, Actum Processing, MaQro Advisors, Cobalt Group Inc., Tribe Design Group, Virtus Financial Group, and Ecolab. Across the street is Hill Country Animal Hospital. We are near the intersection of Bee Cave Rd and St Stephens School Rd S, which has a Texaco nearby, as well as Rob Roy Chevron and Half Off Fireworks.

Phone number

(512) 601-5098

Languages spoken by TX providers

  • English
  • Spanish
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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

Shown in CT

Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
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

Shown in CT

12 photos