ACORN
Advanced Career Online Resource Network
and accredited continuing education courses for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, alcohol and drug counselors, social workers, art therapists, problem gambling treatment providers, prevention specialists, supervisors, agency administrators, educators, and other learners around the globe.
Created by expert instructors, ACORN courses are continually updated with the latest information.
ACORN's on-demand courses, which you may complete at your own pace and convenience, include immersive case studies and video recordings of skill demonstrations, as well as presentations, readings, research snapshots, and knowledge checks.
ACORN's synchronous (live) courses are conducted in real time, with instructors holding virtual meetings at specified dates and times.
Course webpages indicate whether a course is synchronous (live) or on-demand.
Real-time. Oct 17 - Dec 12, 2025. Provides the 30 hours required for initial certification as a Gambling Addictions Counselor I (CGAC I). Content is informed by the Problem Gambling Treatment Provider Core Competencies. Approved for 30 CE hours.
On-demand. 3 CE hours. Builds knowledge, skills, and abilities required to screen for suicide risk and to identify and access resources for referral. Free of charge, courtesy of Oregon Health Authority.
Free
On-demand. 30 CE hours. This training series introduces family therapy concepts and offers a guided tour for how to engage families and important others in treatment. Developed by a leading family therapist. Accredited by NBCC and IPGGC. Free.
Free
This series of 11 courses guides new problem gambling counselors through key treatment issues, including assessment, treatment planning, problem gambling theories, and much more. Free of charge. Accredited for up to 23 CE hours.
Free
On-demand. 0.75 CE hour. Reviews the relevance and impact of eating disorders among those with co-occurring disorders. Free, courtesy of OHA Integrated Co-occurring Disorders (ICD) initiative.
Free
ACORN offers 6 courses for problem gambling treatment clinical supervisors, consultants, agency administrators, and program managers. These on-demand, online trainings are accredited for CE hours/CEUs by NBCC, IGCCB, and MHACBO. Free.
Free
Yes! CE / CEU credits are available.
ACORN has been approved by the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (IPGGC), the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO), and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (NBCC ACEP No. 7274). Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. ACORN is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
ACORN additionally houses Oregon Health Authority (OHA) courses for counselors and prevention specialists. OHA courses are taught by OHA instructors and are approved by MHACBO, but not by IPGGC or NBCC.
Continuing education hours for each course are listed on the course webpage.
ACORN courses are designed to provide professional education for those seeking:
initial and advanced certification (CGAC I, ICGC I, CGAC II, ICGC II) and training in problem gambling treatment/treatment of disordered gambling;
training and specialization in treating integrated cooccurring disorders (ICOD);
required continuing education (CE / CEU) for disordered/problem gambling and alcohol and drug treatment provider re-certification;
required continuing education (CE / CEU) for maintaining professional mental health related licensure (e.g., LMFT, LPC) in Oregon and many other states;
advanced skills in the treatment of disordered gambling, working with families, treating cooccurring disorders, and/or sociocultural attunement;
training in mental health and problem/disordered gambling treatment supervision and consultation;
a broader spectrum of counseling and therapy skills and knowledge to integrate into clinical practice; and
knowledge that informs the administration of disordered/problem gambling, cooccurring disorders, and other mental health programs.
Courses funded by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) typically focus on treatment, supervision, consultation, and prevention practices within the State of Oregon. They, nonetheless, provide information that is relevant to practitioners across a variety of regional contexts and practice settings, and they advance education for the global workforce. Other content areas covered by ACORN courses include the following:
treatment of co-occurring disorders and conditions,
behavioral health and aging,
family therapy,
sociocultural attunement, and
suicide prevention.