Gambling Disorder Treatment in Practice

This training counts toward the MA PGS Certificate Clinical Core Competency Coursework.

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 pre-training work and will receive CE credit for both their pre-training work and time attending the training. The estimated time for pre-training work (50 minutes) and the live training content (70 minutes) will equal a combined total of 120 minutes, (2 CE credits). As a result of adapting this model, we are setting a higher expectation for participants and anticipate that they will come to the training prepared to engage in creative discussion, ideally with cameras on and microphones functioning.

This interactive training will give participants the opportunity to practice using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing strategies in the context of treating a client with Gambling Disorder.

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Number of CE(s): 2

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives

• Identify specific therapeutic interventions that can be used when working with a client with gambling-related problems.
• Using role-play and discussion activities, increase knowledge of how to implement CBT/MI interventions into real life practice.
• 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 (45 minutes)

• Read “Motivational Interviewing in Problem Gambling Counseling” by Letty Tumbaga, Lukas Ryan, and Elissa Macaw. Participants will be provided with the pdf.
• Read the “Clinical Simulation” paragraph (70 words) and watch “Clinical Simulation” video
• Read the supplemental worksheet ”Change Your Thinking”. Participants will be provided with a .pdf of the worksheet.
• Read the supplemental worksheet “Socratic Questions”. Participants will be provided with a .pdf of the worksheet.
• Answer required quiz questions based on independent work material.

Live Session (75 minutes)

• Cognitive distortion activity
• Introduction to therapist and client role-play activity
• Breakout room role-play activity
• Group discussion of role-play activity

Instructor Bios

Instructor #1: Elizabeth Bice, BA; Program Coordinator for the Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment and Program Coordinator at Health Resources in Action. Ms. Bice has developed and facilitated online training on a variety of topics pertaining to Gambling Disorder (including promoting problem gambling services) for Massachusetts social workers, mental health and addiction specialists, and healthcare specialists.

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.

Instructor #3: Glimar Rodriguez Parrilla, LADCI, LCSW; Program Manager at Boston ASAP. Glimar brings over 16 years of experience in various medical and social service positions in behavioral health care. In her current role at Boston ASAP, she is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of systems that are used to provide services used in the day-to-day operations. Glimar also provides clinical services through the various programs offered in the Community Clinic. She earned her BA in Social Psychology at University of Massachusetts Boston, a Masters in Clinical Social Work at Simmons University where she was part of the SIMPACT-SOWEP Scholar program, SIMPACT-SOWEP (Simmons Opioid Workforce Expansion Program) aims to increase the number of social workers with competencies in evidence-based OUD and other SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services in high demand, high need areas through the enhancement of community-based experiential training and faculty development. For the last 11 years, Glimar has dedicated her direct service practice in the field of mental health and substance use to at-risk and high need populations through the continuum of care from inpatient transitional services to community services and engagement. In addition, for the past 7 years, she has been credentialed in various training curricula for clinicians and employees within other community partners agencies, the Community Clinic, as well as The Champions Network (Doc Wayne).

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 continuing education credits.
• National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) –  This course has been approved by the Division on Addiction, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 2.0 CEs. 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 2.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D 92533.
• 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 continuing education credits.

Funding Statement: The Division on Addiction and Health Resources in Action collaborated to produce this M-TAC training/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.