This module counts toward the MA PGS Certificate Clinical Core Competency Coursework
Ask an Expert: Module 2
Welcome to Ask an Expert: Learning about Problem Gambling from Researchers, Clinicians, Advocates, and People with Lived Experience. In Module 2: Treatment Part 1: Identifying High-Risk Gambling and Engaging in Treatment, you will learn from three experts on the topics of (1) problem gambling risk factors and absent treatment demand in Massachusetts, (2) primary motivations for, and barriers to, treatment for problem gambling, and (3) concrete suggestions for engaging individuals in treatment for problem gambling. Module 2 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. Rachel Volberg, PhD, has been involved in epidemiological research on gambling and problem gambling since 1985 and has directed and consulted on numerous gambling studies throughout the world. In 1988, Dr. Volberg was the first investigator to receive funding from the National Institutes of Health to study the prevalence of problem gambling in the general population. Dr. Volberg is currently the Principal Investigator on two major studies funded by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission: the Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA) study and the Massachusetts Gambling Impact Cohort (MAGIC) study. In addition to her work in Massachusetts, Dr. Volberg is studying the impacts of policy changes related to problem gambling treatment provision in Sweden. Dr. Volberg is also a member of a research team based at Rutgers University studying the impacts of the introduction of online gambling in New Jersey. Dr. Volberg has published extensively, presented at national and international conferences, and testified before legislative committees throughout North America.
Dr. Rory Pfund, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow at the Center on Alcohol, Substance Use, And Addictions at the University of New Mexico. His program of research focuses broadly on how mechanisms and processes of psychological treatment influence outcomes for addictive behaviors. During graduate school, Dr. Pfund primarily examined what constitutes an adequate treatment dose among individuals with Gambling Disorder. During clinical internship, he studied the mechanisms and processes influencing substance use disorder treatment outcomes and collaborated on multiple studies of contingency management treatment. As a postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Pfund examines what constitutes an adequate treatment dose among individuals with alcohol use disorder from a precision medicine perspective.
Ms. Johanna Loy is an addiction researcher who is currently pursuing her PhD at the Institute for Therapy Research in Munich, where she also teaches social psychology at the university. Her research projects are focused on Gambling Disorder and the epidemiology of adolescent alcohol use. She is particularly interested in research on self-exclusion and on the associations between drinking/gambling motives and alcohol/gambling-related problems.
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.
Learning Objectives
As a result of completing Module 2, you will be better prepared to:
- Describe predictors of gambling-related problems as identified in the Massachusetts SEIGMA and MAGIC studies
- Identify subgroups that might be particularly at risk or vulnerable to the development of gambling problems in Massachusetts communities
- Identify evidence-based ways to reduce common barriers to engaging in problem gambling treatment
- Identify the percentage of clients who discontinue psychotherapy treatment for problem/disordered gambling before completion
- Increase the likelihood that clients will appear for their first problem gambling treatment session using a letter based on motivational interviewing principles
- Use other practical suggestions for maximizing problem gambling treatment engagement
Funding Statement: The Division on Addiction and Health Resources in Action collaborated to produce this M-TAC 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.