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 ”Building Discrepancy”. 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: Deborah Rodriguez, LICSW. Ms. Rodriguez is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 16 years of experience working with at-risk populations and co-occurring disorders in the Greater Springfield area. She is a doctoral candidate from Simmons University in Boston and earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Her varied professional experience with behavioral health ranges from community mental health services and advocacy to extensive relationship-building with community members and leaders. Ms. Rodriguez is an adjunct professor for Our Lady of Elms Social Work Program, and is providing direct care through her private practice Faros Counseling.

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) – The Division on Addiction is a NAADAC Approved Distance Learning Provider (provider number 84058). Application for this specific program has been submitted. Please contact us at hgray@cha.harvard.edu for the status of application.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at hgray@cha.harvard.edu.edu 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 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.