Gambling Disorder Treatment in Practice

This training uses a flipped classroom model. The flipped classroom model is sometimes referred to as “active learning” where participants engage with educational content to learn basic knowledge and key concepts of the training topic prior to attending the training. This educational content could be in the form of watching videos, reading research articles, and preparing discussion questions.

Participants are expected to complete all independent work listed below and will receive CE credit for both their independent work and time attending the live training. The estimated time for independent work (50 minutes) and the live training content (100 minutes) will equal a combined total of 150 minutes (2.5 CE credits). 

Participants should complete the independent work prior to the live training session. The time between 10:00-10:50am is allotted for independent work. At 9:50am, participants should log on to the Zoom link to attend the live training session, with their independent work already completed. 

This interactive training will begin with a discussion of cognitive distortions and a review of the case study. Following this, participants will have the opportunity to apply Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) strategies in the context of treating a client with Gambling Disorder. Participants will engage in a role-play exercise as either a clinician or client to demonstrate their understanding of treatment interventions, drawing on the knowledge gained from the independent work, information they learned from previous gambling-related treatment trainings, and their own clinical experience. We recommend that participants complete the Introduction to Gambling Disorder Treatment Best Practices training prior to this training to build a foundational understanding of Gambling Disorder treatment interventions. Participants must complete all independent work and attend the entire live training session in order to receive CE credit.

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Number of CE(s): 2.5

Instructional Level: Intermediate.  This is highly interactive and clinically focused, recommended only for clinicians or those with clinical capacity. This training counts toward the MA PGS Certificate Core Competency Coursework.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify specific therapeutic interventions that can be used when working with a client with gambling-related problems. 
2. Using role-play and discussion activities, increase knowledge of how to implement CBT/MI interventions into real life practice.
3. Participants will be able to define the term “cognitive distortion” and identify specific examples of distortions related to gambling.

Agenda:

Independent Work to be done prior to the live session (50 minutes – 9:00-9:50am)

• Read “Motivational Interviewing in Problem Gambling Counseling” by Letty Tumbaga, Lukas Ryan, and Elissa Macaw. Participants will be provided with the .pdf via email. (5,600 words)
• On this website, read the following sections: “How do I put this evidence into practice,” “Health equity considerations,” and “Clinical Simulation” (500 words)
• Watch “Clinical Simulation” video (7 minutes)
• Read the supplemental worksheet ”Changing Your Thinking”. (300 words). Participants will be provided with a .pdf of the worksheet via email.
• Answer required quiz questions based on independent work material. (not graded – 5 minutes)

Live Session (100 minutes – 9:50am-11:30pm)

• Cognitive distortion activity
• Introduction to therapist and client role-play activity, including demonstration from facilitators
• Brief Q&A with clinical consultant
• Breakout room role-play activity
• Group discussion of role-play activity
• Wrap-up and key takeaways

Instructor Bios:

Instructor #1: Elizabeth Bice, BA; 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 #2: Nakita Sconsoni, MSW; Community Health Educator at the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance. Ms. Sconsoni completed her graduate level internship at the Center for Life Management in Derry, NH where she worked as a mental health therapist for adults comorbidly diagnosed with an developmental disability and a mental health condition. She has also developed and facilitated in-person and online trainings on a variety of topics pertaining to Gambling Disorder (including treatment best practices) for Massachusetts social workers, mental health and addiction specialists, healthcare specialists, and peer recovery specialists and support staff.

Approval Statements:

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 2.5 continuing education credits.

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) – Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at [email protected] for the status of social work CE accreditation.

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 2.5 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.