Problem Gambling Treatment
on-demand and real-time continuing education courses
ACORN is a leader in continuing education on problem gambling treatment. Developed by expert clinicians and researchers, and continually updated with the latest information, ACORN trainings are accredited for continuing education hours. With funding by Oregon Health Authority Problem Gambling services, most ACORN trainings are available free of charge to learners around the globe.
-
Problem Gambling Overview
Course4.9 average rating (60 reviews)On-demand. 2 CE hours. Covers the theories of problem gambling and the basics of problem gambling treatment, including assessment and diagnosis of disordered gambling. Free, courtesy of Oregon Health Authority Problem Gambling Services.
Free
-
Initial Engagement in Problem Gambling Treatment
Course4.9 average rating (29 reviews)On-demand. 2 CE hours. Shows how to engage clients who are struggling with gambling, from the first phone call through the initial session. Treatment barriers and motivational interviewing are explored. Free, courtesy of OHA PGS.
Free
-
Problem Gambling Assessment and Treatment Planning
Course4.7 average rating (25 reviews)On-demand. 2 CE hours. Provides guidance on screening for disordered gambling, assessing and setting goals for treatment, and developing treatment plans. Addresses the dream world and peer mentorship. Free, courtesy of OHA PGS.
Free
-
Problem Gambling and Money
Course4.9 average rating (37 reviews)On-demand. 2 CE hours. Features persons in recovery talking about their relationship with money and counselors about discussing way to establish money barriers. Free, courtesy of Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Problem Gambling Services (PGS).
Free
-
Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in Problem Gambling Treatment
Course4.9 average rating (46 reviews)On-demand. 3 CE hours. Reviews core cognitive and behavioral interventions frequently used in problem gambling treatment, including tracking and intervening in gambling action cycles and exposing and challenging cognitive distortions.
Free
-
Family Treatment for Problem Gambling
Course4.7 average rating (21 reviews)On-demand. 2 CE hours. Introduces the “why and how” of including family members in problem gambling treatment. Covers screening for intimate partner violence and engaging families in disclosing debt. Free, courtesy of OHA PGS.
Free
ACORN
is committed to excellence.
ACORN has been approved by the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification (IGCCB) and the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) to provide continuing education courses. Additionally, ACORN has been 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.
What Is Included
Resources
Each course includes a series of topics, also known as modules. Videos, presentations, readings, and/or sample handouts are provided under each module. You are free to take as much time as you need to review these resources. Once you have reviewed and mastered the content of each module, you will be required to pass a short quiz before proceeding to the next module. You must pass all of the quizzes before you are eligible for verification that you have successfully completed a course.
Time
We suggest you take your time, view content as many times as you like, and access suggested readings and resources when possible. It is not necessary to complete a course in a single sitting. You are free to open and close a course as many times as you like.
Open attitude
We ask you to have an open attitude as you go through ACORN course. At times it may seem as if we are reviewing what you already know. However, paying close attention is likely to provide an opportunity to realize subtle differences and important nuances in mental health treatment and supervision. Finally, we hope you enjoy this learning format and that ACORN courses support your many contributions to mental health clinicians, clients, and agencies.
Who Should Attend
ACORN trainings are recommended for:
-
mental health counselors (MHC/LPC), marriage and family therapists (MFT/LMFT), art therapists (AT/LAT), social workers (SW/LSW/LCSW), psychologists, and other mental health providers;
-
those providing or preparing to provide treatment for problem/disordered gambling;
-
co-occurring disorder treatment specialists;
-
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC);
-
Certified Gambling Addiction Counselors (CGAC);
-
prevention specialists;
-
clinical supervisors; and
-
agency administrators and program managers.
National Leader
ACORN is the “go to” source for continuing education in problem gambling treatment. Drs. Teresa McDowell and Iva Kosutic work closely with the Oregon Health Authority Problem Gambling Services—including Problem Gambling Services Manager Greta Coe, Treatment Program Development Analyst David Corse, and Treatment and Recovery Specialist Brandie Lyday—to identify the needs of those who are working in the field in order to develop training opportunities to meet those needs. Their working relationships are built on over a decade of collaboration on problem gambling workforce development in Oregon. This group has worked together, along with master clinicians working in problem gambling treatment, including Rick Berman and others, to advance the field of problem gambling treatment through research, clinical skill evaluation, development of core competencies, resource development, and program implementation and evaluation. Following are some examples of their extensive collective work in this area:
Kosutic, I. & McDowell, T. (2022). A Guide to Core Competencies for Problem Gambling Prevention Professionals.
Christensen, J., Kosutic, I. & McDowell, T. (2022). A Study of the Scholarly Discourse on Psychological and Relational Approaches to Gambling Disorder Treatment: Part I, Critical Gambling Studies, 3(1): 35-46.
Kosutic, I., Christensen, J. & McDowell, T. (2022). A Study of the Scholarly Discourse on Psychological and Relational Approaches to Gambling Disorder Treatment: Part II, Critical Gambling Studies, 3(1), 47-57.
McDowell, T. (October 21, 2021). Working with Families in Problem Gambling Treatment. Connecticut Conference on Problem Gambling.
McDowell, T. & Coe, G. (2020). Using Core Competencies to Guide Problem Gambling Service Systems. National Council on Problem Gambling 34th National Conference (virtual due to Covid-19).
McDowell, T., Christensen, J. & Kosutic, I. (2020). Core competencies in problem gambling counseling: A modified Delphi Study. Journal of Gambling Issues, 45/46: 1-37.
McDowell, T. & Kosutic, I. (2020). A Guide to the Core Competencies for Problem Gambling Treatment Providers.
McDowell, T. (2019). Working with Families in Problem Gambling Treatment. Manual prepared for Oregon Health Authority Problem Gambling Services.
Berman, R. & McDowell, T. (2018). Core Competencies in Problem Gambling Treatment. Northwest Institute of Addiction Studies, Portland, Oregon.
McDowell, T. (2018). Core Competencies in Problem Gambling Family Treatment. Focus on the Future regional conference, Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, Vancouver, WA, May 1.
McDowell, T., Berman, E, & Iñiguez, J. (2017). Working with Families in Problem Gambling Treatment. National Council on Problem Gambling Conference, Portland, OR.
McDowell, T. & Berman, E. (2016). Best of Both Worlds: Integrating Relational Models into Problem Gambling Treatment. National Council on Problem Gambling Conference, Terrytown, NY, USA.
New Course Announcements
Add your email to the mailing list to get the latest updates.
