ACORN
Advanced Career Online Resource Network
Are CE Credits Available?
Yes! Continuing Education credits are available.
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ACORN is approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7274. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. ACORN is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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ACORN is approved by the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO), Provider ID: 26-0044, to provide continuing education courses.
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ACORN courses on problem gambling treatment and supervision are approved for continuing education hours by the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (IPGGC).
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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.
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Continuing education hours and accreditation details are listed on each course page.
Where Should I Start?
Click below to explore featured courses and course bundles, or use the menu above to browse key content areas.
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Advanced Problem Gambling Counselor Workshop, Fall 2026
Real-time workshop. 15 CE hours. Nov. 6, 7, 20 & 21, 2026. Build advanced skills for treating problem gambling while meeting Oregon certification requirements. Grounded in Problem Gambling Treatment Provider Core Competencies.
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Suicide Prevention: Responding with Care
4.9 average rating (154 reviews)On-demand. 3 CE hours. In this course, you’ll learn practical, compassionate ways to recognize suicide risk, ask directly about suicidal thoughts, connect people to support, and follow up within your role. Free, courtesy of Oregon Health Authority.
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Working with Families in Problem Gambling Treatment
On-demand. 30 CE hours. This series of 10 courses 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.
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Orientation for New Problem Gambling Counselors
On-demand. 23 CE Hours. This series of 11 courses guides new problem gambling counselors through key treatment issues, including assessment, treatment planning, problem gambling theories, and more.
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Eating Disorders in Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment
4.9 average rating (23 reviews)On-demand. 0.75 CE hour. In this course, you’ll explore eating disorders in co-occurring disorders treatment, including screening, early intervention, and integrated care. Free, courtesy of Oregon Health Authority ICD initiative.
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Supervision of Problem Gambling Treatment Course Bundle
On-demand. 12 CE Hours. This collection of 6 courses is designed to be as convenient as possible for busy supervisors of problem gambling treatment. Topics range from problem gambling theories to practical considerations.
Why ACORN?
The reasons are many, including:
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ACORN courses are created by expert instructors, including leaders in family therapy and experts in problem gambling.
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Updates are continually made to ensure courses reflect current information and best practices.
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A wide range of on-demand courses is available, allowing you to learn on your own schedule, at your pace and convenience.
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More than just slides, most ACORN courses feature immersive case studies and practical skills demonstrations.
Who Are ACORN Instructors?
Senior Instructor Teresa McDowell
Teresa McDowell, EdD, LMFT is professor emerita at Lewis & Clark, where she served as department chair and co-founded the college’s Problem Gambling Services. With over 40 years of experience as a clinician, educator, administrator, and consultant, Teresa focuses on workforce development, equity-based clinical practice, integrated treatment for problem gambling, and clinical supervision. She is a social researcher, program evaluator, and consultant with Partners in Social Research and Senior Instructor for ACORN. Dr. McDowell has authored more than 50 scholarly publications and is lead author of Socioculturally Attuned Family Therapy: Applying Third Order Thinking to Theory and Practice (3rd Ed., 2026).
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Senior Instructor Carmen Knudson-Martin
Carmen Knudson-Martin, PhD is professor emerita of marriage and family therapy at Lewis & Clark College’s Graduate School of Education and Counseling. She is an AAMFT clinical fellow, approved supervisor, and licensed marriage and family therapist, and a longtime member of the American Family Therapy Academy. An influential scholar in family therapy, Dr. Knudson-Martin has edited numerous books, published widely, and presented internationally on sociocultural attunement, power, and equity. She is co-author of Socioculturally Attuned Family Therapy and a founder of Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy (SERT).
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Instructor Brandie Lyday
Brandie Lyday, MA, LMFT, CGAC II, CADC III owns and manages True Heart Therapy, a mental health group practice. She is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and serves as adjunct faculty providing family therapy supervision for Lewis & Clark’s Problem Gambling Services. Brandie previously worked as an Oregon Health Authority Problem Gambling Treatment Program Development Analyst and has extensive experience as an outpatient addiction treatment specialist, delivering individual, group, couple, and family therapies, including work with clients involved in the criminal legal system.
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Is ACORN Right for You?
ACORN courses are designed for behavioral health professionals, supervisors, administrators, educators, and other learners seeking practical training and continuing education. Courses may help you:
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Earn continuing education hours for license renewal or recertification.
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Prepare for or advance professional certification, including problem gambling counselor certification.
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Strengthen clinical skills in areas such as problem gambling, co-occurring disorders, family therapy, sociocultural attunement, ethics, and suicide prevention.
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Develop supervision, consultation, and program leadership skills.
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Expand your knowledge and skills for use in behavioral health practice and related settings.
