Real-Time Course

starting on January 10, 2025.

CGAC I Precertification for ICD-PG Specialists entails FOUR virtual meetings with instructors and fellow learners on Friday mornings, starting on January 10, 2025. Meetings are held between 9 am and 1 pm PT. The course also includes self-paced lessons in between the meetings. The course is approved by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB) and the Mental Health & Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) for 15 continuing education (CE) hours. To earn CE hours, you will need to 1) attend all course sessions and complete all required course activities and 2) complete the course evaluation survey. A certificate of attendance will be made available on the Student Dashboard upon course completion and upon the receipt of evaluation survey responses.

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome!

    2. How to navigate this course

    3. Course Overview

    4. Course Objectives

    5. Continuing Education Credits

    6. Before we continue...

    7. Your Professional Background

    1. Introduction

    2. Learning Objectives

    3. Relevant Core Competencies

    4. OHA Problem Gambling Assessment

    5. Getting Real about Gambling Disorder-The ASAM Criteria

    6. Video: Session 1 Recording

    1. Introduction

    2. Overview

    3. Learning Objectives

    4. Additional Resource: Handouts for Clients on Gambling and the Brain

    5. Additional Resource: Online Resource for Clients

    6. Optional Reading: NCRG Monograph on Gambling and the Brain

    1. Learning Objectives

    2. Additional Resource: IGD 20 Screening Tool

    3. Optional Reading: Treatments for Internet Gaming Disorder and Internet Addiction - Systemic Review

    4. Video: Session 2 Recording

    1. Introduction

    2. Learning Objectives

    3. Relevant Core Competencies

    4. Presentation: Slide Deck

    5. Handout: Instructor Slide Deck

    6. Additional Resource: Values Activity

    7. Additional Resource: Mindfulness Activities

    8. Additional Resource: ACT Matrix

    9. Additional Resource: Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention in Problem Gambling

    1. Overview

    2. Objectives

    3. Competencies Related to Psychoeducation

    4. Additional Resource: Problem Gambling: The Issues, The Options - camh Psychoeducation Resource for Clients

    5. Additional Resources: Facilitator Outlines for Psychoeducation Groups

    6. Additional Resource: Problem Gambling Multifamily Group Facilitator's Guide

    7. Additional Resources: Online Resources

    8. Additional Resources: Oregon Factsheets

    9. Additional Resource: A Guide For Families

    10. Video: Session 3 Recording

About this course

  • $99.00
  • 55 lessons
  • 21.5 hours of video content

Instructors

Instructor Dave Hsiao

Dave Hsiao, MA, LPC, CADC III, CGAC II is Residential and Extended Care Management Unit Manager with the Oregon Health Authority. With more than 20 years of experience in counseling, he specializes in substance use disorders, problem gambling, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Dave is committed to improving outcomes through culturally responsive practice, with a focus on serving vulnerable populations and their families. His work includes training and supervising recovery mentors and counselors and leading outreach efforts across the Portland area and the Oregon coast.

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.

Instructor Alberto Lepe-Romero

Alberto Lepe-Romero, MSW, BA, CADC-I, CGAC-R, QMHA-R, has six years of experience in substance use disorder treatment, focusing on both micro and macro social work practice. Trained in detoxification and outpatient counseling settings, Alberto has worked at Community Plaza (Centro Latino Americano), where he provides bilingual, culturally specific services to clients since 2019.

Instructor Alberto Lepe-Romero

Alberto Lepe-Romero, MSW, BA, CADC-I, CGAC-R, QMHA-R, has six years of experience in substance use disorder treatment, focusing on both micro and macro social work practice. Trained in detoxification and outpatient counseling settings, Alberto has worked at Community Plaza (Centro Latino Americano), where he provides bilingual, culturally specific services to clients since 2019.

Veronica Valdez

Veronica Valdez, MA is Marriage and Family Therapist Registered Associate, CGAC II, CADC-R, and QMHP-R who completed her internship at Lewis & Clark’s Problem Gambling Services. She is experienced in providing integrated treatment including neurofeedback for mental health, gambling, and substance use disorders. Formerly working at Emergence Addictions and Behavioral Health in Eugene, Oregon, she is now with True Heart Therapy. Her work emphasizes comprehensive, evidence-informed care tailored to individual client needs.

OHA Instructor David Corse

David Corse, LPC, CADC III, CGAC II has worked with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) since 2018, initially coordinating the Oregon Problem Gambling Treatment System and more recently supporting development of the OHA Integrated Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment and Recovery system. His clinical background includes crisis intervention, gambling disorder treatment, substance use disorder services, and community mental health. David has also served as a program director and clinical supervisor in nonprofit and county mental health organizations. In addition, he maintains a private practice providing therapy for individuals and couples and post-graduate clinical supervision for Licensed Professional Counselor Associates.

Pricing

Workshop cost is subsidized by the Oregon Health Authority Problem Gambling Services (OHA PGS).

ACORN

is committed to excellence.

ACORN has been approved by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (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.
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