Training Institute Clock Hours/Continuing Education Units- 32

Training Institute
Clock Hours/Continuing Education Units- 32
Date & Time: April 3rd 5th 10th 12th 17th 19th 24th 26th (4 weeks of classes)
Tuesdays & Thursdays 6 pm – 10 pm
Region: Boston
Location: Courtyard by Marriott South Boston 63R Boston Street Boston, Ma. 02125 The McCormick Meeting Room
Presenters: Dot Duda, Amy Gabrilla, Jodie Nealley, Brenda Westberry & Amanda Winters
Cost: $275 .00
*includes application fee for MA Problem Gambling Specialist Certificate

Description:
The Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling Training Institute’s goal is to increase the number of services providers in the treatment and service of Gambling Disorders; increase the community’s access to comprehensive and competent care, increase service and treatment delivery, and improve treatment outcomes.

The Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling Training Institute provides a comprehensive delivery of gambling specific trainings for social services providers in order to build the capacity of knowledge in the area of Gambling Disorders. The training institute meets from 6pm-10pm, twice per week for four weeks. At the conclusion of the four-week training process, individuals will be able to meet the MA PGS training standards and certificate training requirements.

Courses: (4 weeks of classes)
Course 1 of 8: Introduction to Problem Gambling
Presenter: Jodie Nealley
In the era of expanding gambling, providers are encouraged to increase their base of knowledge in order to provide service and support to service recipients. This introductory training is aimed to increase current social service providers’ knowledge in identifying problem gambling behavior within clinical and social service practice. Social service providers will learn how to incorporate problem gambling information and treatment skills into their area of practice.

Objectives:
• Identify stages, signs, symptoms and progression of problem gambling
• Identify and discuss research reports of prevalence rates with respect to problem gambling
• Explain risk factors associated with gambling disorder
• Discuss history & development of the problem gambling field; with emphasis on state of MA and the field of addiction
• Discuss a public health framework for addressing disordered gambling
991 Providence Highway, Suite 200 Norwood, Massachusetts 02065
Phone: 617-426-4554 Helpline: 800-426-1234 Website: www.masscompulsivegambling.org
An affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling, Inc.

Training Institute
Course 2 of 8: Working with Special Populations: African-Americans and Latinos
Presenter: Brenda Westberry
This training will discuss African-American and Latino/as cultural issues and its relationship to problem gambling. It will explore barriers to prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery, and discuss strategies and techniques that promote wellness. The workshop will discuss and review African-American and Latino/as cultural characteristics and its relevance to social services practice. Also, service providers will gain education,
resources, and current outreach efforts.

Objectives:
• Explain gambling in the African-American and Latino/as community
• Explain barriers to prevention and care
• Understand the cultural characteristics of African-American and Latino/as
• Identify effective strategies and techniques
• Identify resources and current initiatives
Course 3 of 8: Assessment and Diagnosis
Presenter: Dot Duda

This training will focus on the assessment and diagnosis of gambling disorder as a behavioral addiction. The process of the therapeutic alliance and other engagement practices will be considered as important components of the assessment process. The evaluation of major depressive disorder and the risk for suicidality will be highlighted as important aspects of the assessment process with a a person with gambling disorder. The development of a safety plan will be discussed as a consideration for the protection of the problem gambler.

Objectives:
• Describe DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Gambling Disorder
• Describe suicidal rates and common clinical presentation of problem gamblers
• Describe strategies in risk assessment and safety planning
• Describe strategies in establishing a therapeutic alliance
Course 4 of 8: Gambling as a Co-Occurring Disorder
Presenter: Brenda Westberry

This training will explore the similarities and differences of gambling disorder with substance use and mental health disorders. This training will discuss and explore the various challenges in identifying disordered gambling within client care. Also, this training will introduce the addiction syndrome model, as well as strategies in identifying and screening of gambling disorder.

Objectives:
• Describe similarities and differences with substance use and mental health disorders
• Describe the various challenges in identifying disordered gambling
• Describe the Addiction Syndrome Model
• Recognize strategies in identifying and screening of gambling disorder
991 Providence Highway, Suite 200 Norwood, Massachusetts 02065
Phone: 617-426-4554 Helpline: 800-426-1234 Website: www.masscompulsivegambling.org
An affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling, Inc.

Training Institute
Course 5 of 8: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other Evidence-Based Treatment Modalities for Gambling Disorder
Presenter: Dot Duda
The treatment of gambling disorder as a behavioral addiction has its unique challenges. This training will explore the various clinical challenges that can be present when working with problem gamblers. Also, this training will provide an introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence based treatment modalities for the treatment of gambling disorder. A review and discussion of CBT will provide practical information that will allow clinical insight into treating the problem gambler.
Objectives:
• Identify various clinical challenges of working with problem gamblers
• Explain CBT in the treatment of gambling disorder
• Identify evidence-based treatment modalities for gambling disorder
• Identify treatment and clinical resources
Course 6 of 8: Integrating Recovery Supports into Clinical Practice
Presenter: Jodie Nealley
Recovery support services are an integral part of a recovery-oriented system of care. The questions then become, which supports to use and how to integrate them into a treatment process. This session will discuss several recovery support services, offer suggestions as to who should be offering them, and discuss how services can be integrated into the treatment of clients with gambling disorder.

Objectives:
• Identify signs and symptoms of problem gambling
• Identify recovery support services
• Explain recovery supports and integrating strategies
• Identify resources for assessment, referrals and resources
Course 7 of 8: Prevention and Problem Gambling
Presenters: Amy Gabrila and Amanda Winters

Many clinicians have received little formal training on the science of prevention. Yet, in the day to day delivery of their craft, many are indeed decreasing risk factors and increasing protective factors for their clients, the client’s families and the community. These are major components of prevention work. This training will cover the key components of successful prevention work and discuss how clinicians can enhance their own prevention efforts all within the rubric of their clinical practice.

Learning Objectives:
• Participants will identify what the harm reduction model is and how it relates to gambling.
•Participants will apply harm reduction principles to help all clients keep gaming fun
• Identify techniques in integrating prevention strategies
• Identify prevention resources and supports
991 Providence Highway, Suite 200 Norwood, Massachusetts 02065
Phone: 617-426-4554 Helpline: 800-426-1234 Website: www.masscompulsivegambling.org
An affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling, Inc.

Training Institute
Course 8 of 8: Gambling Disorder: A Review of Our Learning
Presenter: Jodie Nealley
This training will be a review of information from prior weeks. This session will highlight the various aspects of gambling disorder, as well as the various challenges and opportunities in the era of expanded gambling in Massachusetts. Resources will be discussed and shared.

Learning Objectives:
• Explain themes of gambling disorder
• Identify clinical challenges associated in the treatment of gambling disorder
• Identify resources for the treatment and services of problem gambling
If you have any questions please contact Jodie Nealley at: jodie@masscompulsivegambling.org
or
617-426-4554 (phone)