Elizabeth Thielen - Nicasa Behavioral Health

Episode 139 of the The Broke Girl Society Podcast podcast, hosted by Christina Cook - The Broke Girl Society, titled "Elizabeth Thielen - Nicasa Behavioral Health" was published on March 20, 2026 and runs 56 minutes.

March 20, 2026 ·56m · The Broke Girl Society Podcast

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Summary

In this episode of The Broke Girl Society Podcast, Christina sits down with Liz Thielen, who joins on behalf of Nicasa, to talk about the powerful intersection of lived experience, professional work, and recovery support in the gambling space.Liz shares her personal story of how gambling became woven into family, identity, loss, trauma, and adrenaline, and how even working in the addiction field did not protect her from developing harmful gambling behaviors. Together, Christina and Liz explore the difference between abstinence and recovery, the role of shame, the importance of women-centered recovery spaces, and why softer, curiosity-based support can be so impactful.They also talk about the gaps that still exist in the broader addiction field, the importance of gambling-specific training for clinicians, how technology is changing both gambling and recovery, and why support needs to be more accessible, individualized, and compassionate.Connect with Christina Cook and The Broke Girl SocietyChristina Cook is the founder of The Broke Girl Society, a recovery-focused community and platform supporting women impacted by gambling harm.Website: https://thebrokegirlsociety.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebrokegirlsocietyEmail: [email protected] SPONSORS:The Better Institute (PA Residents) Where people go to get better. ⁠https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/⁠Evive An app designed to help you better understand your relationship with gambling and support your recovery journey. ⁠GetEvive.com⁠Nicasa Behavioral Health Services (Illinois Residents) Since 2002, Nicasa has been helping individuals in Illinois address gambling behaviors through awareness, outreach, and treatment services. Learn more at ⁠N-I-C-A-S-A.org⁠Adult Gambling Treatment ⁠https://nicasa.org/program/adult-gambling-treatment/⁠Youth Gambling Treatment ⁠https://nicasa.org/program/youth-gambling-treatment/⁠**Important note: If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self-harm, please seek the help of trained professionals. We speak only from our own experiences. This podcast is meant to encourage and support your recovery journey, not replace professional care.Resources:BGS Resource Book ⁠https://bgs-media.com/resources/⁠GamFin Financial counseling with professionals who understand the impact gambling can have on your financial health and goals. (U.S. residents only)⁠ ⁠https://www.gamfin.org/⁠⁠Birches Health Find a certified gambling therapist through telehealth and attend sessions from the comfort of your home. ⁠https://bircheshealth.com/brokegirlsociety⁠IPGGC: https://ipggc.org/directory/ Find a gambling certified therapistGamblers Anonymous ⁠https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/⁠24/7 Meetings Worldwide ⁠https://gamblersinrecovery.com/⁠Recovery Road Online Meetings ⁠https://recoveryroadonline.com/⁠Women’s gambling recovery support outside the U.S.:UKBetknowmore UK – New Beginningshttps://www.betknowmoreuk.org/support-information/new-beginningsGambleAware / Breakeven – WINGShttps://www.gambleaware.org/tools-and-support/support-in-your-area/service-finder-results/wings-women-in-need-of-gambling-support/GamCare – Women’s Pathwayhttps://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/womens-pathway/Thrivin’ Togetherhttps://www.thrivintogether.org.uk/IrelandExtern – Women’s Gambling Support Networkhttps://www.extern.org/our-services/problem-gambling/women-s-gambling-support-networkAustraliaThe Untangle Projecthttps://www.theuntangleprojectaus.net/Gambling Help Online – Peer Support Communityhttps://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/tools-resources/join-communityCanadaResponsible Gambling Council – Help for Canadianshttps://responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/problem-gambling-help/help-for-canadians/CAMH – Problem Gambling Supporthttps://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/problem-gambling

Episode Description

In this episode of The Broke Girl Society Podcast, Christina sits down with Liz Thielen, who joins on behalf of Nicasa, to talk about the powerful intersection of lived experience, professional work, and recovery support in the gambling space.

Liz shares her personal story of how gambling became woven into family, identity, loss, trauma, and adrenaline, and how even working in the addiction field did not protect her from developing harmful gambling behaviors. Together, Christina and Liz explore the difference between abstinence and recovery, the role of shame, the importance of women-centered recovery spaces, and why softer, curiosity-based support can be so impactful.

They also talk about the gaps that still exist in the broader addiction field, the importance of gambling-specific training for clinicians, how technology is changing both gambling and recovery, and why support needs to be more accessible, individualized, and compassionate.

Connect with Christina Cook and The Broke Girl Society

Christina Cook is the founder of The Broke Girl Society, a recovery-focused community and platform supporting women impacted by gambling harm.

Website: https://thebrokegirlsociety.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebrokegirlsocietyEmail: [email protected]

PODCAST SPONSORS:

The Better Institute (PA Residents) Where people go to get better. ⁠https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/⁠

Evive An app designed to help you better understand your relationship with gambling and support your recovery journey. ⁠GetEvive.com⁠

Nicasa Behavioral Health Services (Illinois Residents) Since 2002, Nicasa has been helping individuals in Illinois address gambling behaviors through awareness, outreach, and treatment services. Learn more at ⁠N-I-C-A-S-A.org⁠

Adult Gambling Treatment ⁠https://nicasa.org/program/adult-gambling-treatment/⁠
Youth Gambling Treatment ⁠https://nicasa.org/program/youth-gambling-treatment/⁠

**Important note: If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self-harm, please seek the help of trained professionals. We speak only from our own experiences. This podcast is meant to encourage and support your recovery journey, not replace professional care.

Resources:

BGS Resource Book ⁠https://bgs-media.com/resources/⁠

GamFin Financial counseling with professionals who understand the impact gambling can have on your financial health and goals. (U.S. residents only)⁠ ⁠https://www.gamfin.org/⁠⁠

Birches Health Find a certified gambling therapist through telehealth and attend sessions from the comfort of your home. ⁠https://bircheshealth.com/brokegirlsociety⁠

IPGGC: https://ipggc.org/directory/ Find a gambling certified therapist

Gamblers Anonymous ⁠https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/⁠

24/7 Meetings Worldwide ⁠https://gamblersinrecovery.com/⁠

Recovery Road Online Meetings ⁠https://recoveryroadonline.com/⁠

Women’s gambling recovery support outside the U.S.:

Betknowmore UK – New Beginningshttps://www.betknowmoreuk.org/support-information/new-beginnings

GambleAware / Breakeven – WINGShttps://www.gambleaware.org/tools-and-support/support-in-your-area/service-finder-results/wings-women-in-need-of-gambling-support/

GamCare – Women’s Pathwayhttps://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/womens-pathway/

Thrivin’ Togetherhttps://www.thrivintogether.org.uk/

Ireland

Extern – Women’s Gambling Support Networkhttps://www.extern.org/our-services/problem-gambling/women-s-gambling-support-network

Australia