Addressing Co-occurring Disorders in Practice

This training will provide participants with knowledge and skills to manage Gambling Disorder and co-occurring disorders. We will start with a brief overview of common gambling comorbidities and discuss treatment considerations for clients with multiple behavioral health diagnoses. Then, participants will learn evidence-based treatment approaches, including a consideration of the comparative effectiveness of concurrent vs. sequential treatment. Participants will engage in a case study activity to practice using these approaches in the context of treating a client with Gambling Disorder and other behavioral health concerns. Participants will leave with an understanding of how to address Gambling Disorder and co-occurring disorders with their clients. This training is interactive. We expect participants to come to the training prepared to engage in creative discussion, ideally with cameras on and microphones functioning. You must stay the full length of the training to receive CE credit.

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Number of CE(s): 2.5

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Agenda:

1. Review of content from previous Introduction to Gambling & Co-occurring Disorders training 
2. Treatment considerations, including sequential versus concurrent treatment and steps for making a treatment and safety plan)
3. Case study activity and group discussion 
4. Additional considerations in the management of gambling and co-occurring disorders
5. Closing 

Learning Objectives: 

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

1. Explain treatment considerations for clients experiencing Gambling Disorder and at least one other co-occurring disorder and describe how you would engage in shared decision making about the management of co-occurring conditions. 
2. Discuss with clients about how their behavioral health condition(s) contribute to their gambling behavior and vice versa. 
3. Select and apply evidence-based approaches for treating gambling and other behavioral health concerns.

Instructor Bios:

Instructor #1: Heather M. Gray, PhD; Dr. Gray is the Director of Academic Affairs at the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance, an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and leads the Division on Addiction’s efforts to develop and implement M-TAC. She has been working in the addiction research and education field for over 15 years. Her research focuses on the development of, and recovery from, addictive disorders. Dr. Gray’s recent research includes examining the link between problem gambling and self-harm, and how people gamble and respond to interventions designed to promote responsible gambling. She is Editor-In-Chief of the Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS; https://basisonline.org/) research blog. Dr. Gray earned her PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship with the Boston University Health and Disability Research Institute.

Instructor #2: Anupria Davenport, MPH, CHES; Senior Manager for Training & Education on the Strategic Planning & Organizational Effectiveness team. In this role, she will support HRiA’s problem gambling projects – M-TAC and PBU. Prior to joining HRiA, Anupria worked as a Consultant for the Center for Research & Evaluation at the University of Mississippi. Anupria is passionate about advancing public health, committed to improving outcomes with data-driven solutions, and interested in creating innovative pathways to systems change. Based in Houston, TX, Anupria is a Certified Health Education Specialist and currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health at The University of Texas. She has a master’s degree in epidemiology from Jackson State 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 2.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D10214.
• 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 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.