Supporting Affected Others: Recognizing and Responding to Gambling Harm (Fall 2026)

This training examines how gambling problems create a ripple effect, impacting the gambler’s family and others close to them, referred to as affected others. Participants will learn about the financial, social, and health harms that affected others may experience, and how the impact can vary depending on the relationship to the gambler. This training introduces the Stress-Strain-Coping-Support model and the 5-Step Method as frameworks for understanding affected others’ experiences and guiding interventions. Finally, this training will explore practical strategies that affected others can use to manage gambling harm, strengthen resilience, and promote overall well-being. You must stay the full length of the training to receive CE credit.

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Number of CE(s): 1.0

Instructional Level: Introductory

Agenda:

1. Introduction to affected others and gambling harm
2. Overview of financial, social, and health harms
3. Activity: Case vignette discussion
4. Understanding, recognizing, and responding to gambling harm
5. Practical strategies affected others can use to manage harm and promote well-being

Learning Objectives:

As a result of completing this training, you will be better prepared to…

1. Explain the financial, social, and health harms of gambling on affected others, and how these harms may differ depending on the relationship to the gambler.
2. Apply the Stress-Strain-Coping-Support model and the 5-Step Method as frameworks to understand affected others’ experiences and guide interventions.
3. Identify strategies that affected others can use to manage gambling harm and promote well-being.

Instructor Bios:

Instructor #1: Kira Landauer, MPH. Kira 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 6 years of experience working in the field of addiction, with a focus on gambling. Kira 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, grassroots initiative started by the Division on Addiction to encourage screening for Gambling Disorder. Kira 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 and completed a Learning Design and Technology Graduate Certificate from Harvard Extension School.

Instructor #2: Shantel Mercedes, MPH. Shantel is a Program Associate at Health Resources in Action and works on the Training and Education team for M-TAC. She has 3 years of experience working in the gambling addiction field and has facilitated online trainings on a variety of trainings related to Gambling Disorder. She is particularly interested in the cultural significance and influence regarding common problem gambling behaviors. She has a BA in Public Health and Health Equity from Mills College and an MPH from Simmons University.

Instructor #3: Glimar Rodriguez Parrilla, LICSW, LADCI; Glimar “Glee” Rodriguez Parrilla is a bilingual educator and clinician dedicated to promoting health equity and supporting marginalized communities. With over a decade of experience in substance use disorder (SUD) counseling, she is a compassionate advocate and member of a collective of experts in the field. As a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADCI) and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Glee specializes in treating individuals with co-occurring disorders across various clinical settings. Identifying as a professional in recovery and a trained recovery coach, she uses her personal experiences to empower clients and foster resilience within communities. Glee earned her Master of Social Work from Simmons University, where she received advanced training in medical social work and addiction medicine through the SIMPACT-SOWEP Grant. This foundation informs her innovative approaches to behavioral healthcare. Her commitment to community advocacy drives her to educate others about equitable care and trauma-informed practices, actively collaborating with stakeholders to improve health outcomes for underserved populations.

Approval Statements:

• 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 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hour for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D 20295. 
• 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 1.0 continuing education credits.

Funding Statement: The Division on Addiction and Health Resources in Action collaborate to produce M-TAC trainings, courses, and resources, which are 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.