Introduction to Screening & Assessment for Gambling Disorder Part I (Screening)

This interactive training will introduce participants to screening and assessment for Gambling Disorder among clients seeking mental health or addiction treatment. This training is Part I of a two-part series. Part I focuses on screening for Gambling Disorder. In this training, participants will be introduced to various Gambling Disorder screening tools and learn how to select a tool that best fits their organization’s needs. Participants will also learn how to initiate conversations with clients about gambling and how to effectively screen for Gambling Disorder. Finally, participants will have the opportunity to practice screening for Gambling Disorder.

Although it is not required, we strongly encourage participants to attend both Part I and Part II of this training series.

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Number of CEs: 1.5

Instructional Level: Introductory. This training includes breakout group activities and interactive elements that participants need to engage in to receive full credit. This training counts toward the MA PGS Certificate Core Competency Coursework. 

Learning Objectives

• Explain the importance of screening clients seeking mental health or addiction treatment for Gambling Disorder.
• Identify important factors to consider when choosing between Gambling Disorder screening tools.
• Recognize important factors to consider when choosing between Gambling Disorder screening tools.
• Articulate and apply best practices in screening for Gambling Disorder.

Agenda

• Introduction to screening for Gambling Disorder
• Screening tools for Gambling Disorder
• Activity: Selecting a screening tool
• Best practices for screening for Gambling Disorder
• Skills practice: Role play activity

Instructor Bios

Instructor #1: Kira Landauer, MPH: Ms. Landauer is a Community Health Educator Supervisor at the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance and is part of M-TAC’s Training and Education team. She has 5+ years of experience working in the field of addiction, with a focus on gambling. Ms. Landauer has developed and facilitated live trainings and online courses, provided technical assistance and capacity building services, and created educational materials for allied health professionals, recovery and support providers, and others. She manages Gambling Disorder Screening Day – an international event started by the Division on Addiction to encourage screening for Gambling Disorder. She is also a Senior Editor of the Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS; https://basisonline.org/) research blog. Ms. Landauer is particularly interested in the impacts of gambling harm–and addiction more broadly–on affected others. She earned her MPH from the Boston University School of Public Health.

Instructor #2: Elizabeth Bice, BA: Elizabeth is a Program Manager for Health Resources in Action and works on the Training and Education team for M-TAC.  She has 4+ years of experience working in the gambling addiction field and has developed and facilitated online trainings on a variety of topics pertaining to Gambling Disorder.  She is particularly interested in sports betting and the covert ways gambling has been normalized in everyday life. Elizabeth also hosted a presentation on avoiding gambling harm in recovery at the 2024 Massachusetts Problem Gambling Conference: Equity in Action. She received her BA in Community Health from Tufts University.

Instructor #3: Maya A. Williams-Bond-Jackson, LMHC, CCTP-II, MA PGS II, ADHD-CCSP, CCATP: Maya is an Integrative Clinical Therapist who advantageously became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 10 years of experience working with various populations nationwide. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the illustrious Clark Atlanta University, a historically black college and university (HBCU) in Atlanta, Georgia. Maya then sought to earn her master’s degree in clinical psychology and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Maya provides integrative therapeutic care at her private practice with an emphasis on neurodivergency, complexities of trauma, gender and sexual identity, affirmation, and expression, anxiety and mood disorders, chronic medical conditions, and impulsivity. As a Clinical Consultant for the M-TAC organization, she supports and develops educational contact primarily focusing on psychoeducation about Gambling Disorder and its biopsychosocial layers.

Approval Statements

• American Psychological Association (APA) – The Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
• NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals – This course has been approved by the Division on Addiction, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #84058, the Division on Addiction is responsible for all aspects of the programing.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – This program has been approved for 1.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D 92179-1.
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) – The Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment is authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to sponsor, conduct or approve continuing education programs for alcohol and drug counselors/assistants (LADCs). This program offers 1.5 continuing education credits.

Funding Statement: The Division on Addiction and Health Resources in Action collaborated to produce this M-TAC training/course, which is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services. The instructors have no financial interests that might create a conflict of interest in the development or delivery of this training. Click here to access our full list of our funders and conflict of interest/grievance policies and procedures.