Ask an Expert: Module 3

Welcome to Ask an Expert: Learning about Problem Gambling from Researchers, Clinicians, Advocates, and People with Lived Experience. In Module 3: Treatment Part 2: Evidence-based Approaches to Treating Problem Gambling, you will learn from three experts on the topics of (1) individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy for problem gambling, (2) pharmacotherapy for gambling, and (3) personalized feedback interventions for problem gambling. Module 3 includes 3 videos and a 10-question quiz. These videos have been professionally captioned, and we recommend watching them with closed captions turned on.

Learners will earn 1.0 hour of continuing education (CE) credit for completing each module, which includes passing a 10-question post-module quiz..

About the Experts

Dr. Robert Ladouceur, PhD, is a Professor Emeritus at the School of Psychology at Laval University in Quebec, Canada. He completed postdoctoral studies at Temple University in Philadelphia. Dr. Ladouceur’s main interest is in the cognitive dimensions of gambling, including the fundamental aspects of why people gamble, the prevention of excessive gambling, and the treatment of disordered gambling. He developed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for gambling-related problems, which is widely used today. On two occasions, he was invited to present his work to the members of the United States Presidential Commission on the impacts of gambling. In 1996, he received a Research Award from the National Council on Problem Gambling, a distinction given to highlight the best researcher in this field. In 2003, he received the Senior Research Award from Harvard Medical School, being recognized as the most distinguished international researcher involved with research on problem gambling. Dr. Ladouceur has presented at conferences and led training workshops in several Canadian provinces, American states, and Asian and European countries, including Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland. During his academic career, he has published over 400 scientific papers and written and edited five books.

Dr. Marc Potenza, MD, PhD, is a board-certified psychiatrist with sub-specialty training and certification in addiction psychiatry. He trained at Yale University, receiving a combined BS/MS with Honors in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics and a PhD in Cell Biology, the latter concurrent with the MD through the Medical Scientist Training Program. He completed internship, psychiatric residency and addiction psychiatry fellowship training at Yale. Currently, he is a Professor of Psychiatry in the Child Study Center and of Neuroscience at the Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Potenza is Director of the Division on Addictions Research at Yale, the Center of Excellence in Gambling Research, the Yale Research Program on Impulsivity and Impulse Control Disorders, and the Women and Addictive Disorders Core of Women’s Health Research at Yale. He is also a Senior Scientist at the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling. He has received multiple national and international awards for excellence in research and clinical care and has consulted to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Registry of Effective Programs, National Institutes of Health, American Psychiatric Association and World Health Organization on matters of addiction.

Dr. Samuel C. Peter, PhD, is a postdoctoral psychology fellow at the Durham VA’s Women’s Health Clinic, focusing on trauma recovery. He received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Memphis in 2021, with a concentration in addiction and trauma research. His research has generally focused on the experience of gambling disorder, the effectiveness of psychotherapy, and factors related to engagement in helping services for trauma and addiction-related concerns. 

Continuing Education (CE) credits

• American Psychological Association (APA) – The Division on Addiction is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Division on Addiction maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program offers 1.0 hour of continuing education (CE) credit.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D91244.
• 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 hour of continuing education (CE) credit.
• National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) – This course has been approved by the Division on Addiction, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1 continuing education (CE) credit. NAADAC Provider #84058, the Division on Addiction is responsible for all aspects of its programming.
• The Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification (MBSACC) – MBSACC does not accredit online trainings but will recognize most online trainings approved by NASW.