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Sports Betting Treatment Considerations
Description:
Sports betting has become increasingly popular over the past few years and can cause meaningful harm, similar to other types of gambling. However, sports bettors are a unique group of gamblers with specialized needs. This clinical-based training will dive into the distinctive risk factors that can impact sports bettors at the individual, interpersonal, and environmental levels. Following this overview, we will outline concrete treatment interventions that can be used to address these risk factors in your own practice. Participants will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the treatment strategies by engaging in a small group activity. To wrap up the training, we will discuss the very tragic reality of self-harm in gambling, including implications for clinical practice. Please come prepared to participate in this training, ideally with cameras on and microphones functioning! Prior to attending this training, we recommend registering for our Introduction to Sports Betting training for an overview of the sports betting landscape.
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Number of CE(s): 1.5
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Agenda:
- Welcome and background of sports betting (terms, rapid expansion, technological advancements, involvement of athletes)
- Problem gambling risk factors
- Clinical interventions to address problem gambling risk factors
- Breakout room activity (identifying triggers, thoughts, behaviors related to sports betting and swapping behaviors for more adaptive coping strategies)
- Large group shareback
- Suicide and gambling and clinical implications
- Closing and key takeaways
Learning Objectives:
As a result of completing this training, you will be better prepared to…
- List at least one risk factor for problematic sports betting at the individual, interpersonal, and environmental level.
- Identify at least one evidence-based strategy that can be used to treat sports bettors experiencing problem gambling.
- Explain how to reduce the occurrence of suicidal ideation among sports bettors by addressing perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness.
Instructor Bios:
Instructor #1: Nakita Sconsoni, MSW; Nakita is a Community Health Educator, Continuing Education Specialist, at the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance and is part of M-TAC’s Training and Education team. She has 3+ years of experience working in the field of addiction, with a focus on gambling. Ms. Sconsoni has developed and facilitated live trainings and online courses, and created educational materials for allied health professionals, recovery and support providers, and others. She is also a Content Manager of the Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS; https://basisonline.org/) research blog. Ms. Sconsoni has also worked as a mental health therapist for adults comorbidly diagnosed with a developmental disability and a mental health condition. Ms. Sconsoni is particularly interested in the intersectionality between addiction and other social identities. She earned her MSW from the University of New Hampshire.
Instructor #2: Elizabeth Bice, BA; Elizabeth 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 #3: Glimar Rodriguez Parrilla, LICSW, LADC;: 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 1.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D10615-1.
- 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.