Involving Families in Problem Gambling Treatment
Free · On-demand · 3 CE hours · Learn at your own pace
On-Demand Course
at your pace and convenience.
This engaging, self-paced course is approved for 3 continuing education (CE) hours. To earn CE hours, you will need to complete 1) all required course activities and 2) the course evaluation survey. A certificate of attendance will be made available on the Student Dashboard upon course completion.
What You'll Learn
After completing this course, you will be better prepared to:
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view gambling from a systems perspective regardless of who seeks treatment;
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determine who should attend any given session based on therapeutic goals;
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engage family members and caring others in treatment as soon as possible unless there is a reason not to do so.
Who This Course Is For
Behavioral health providers across the globe, including:
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family therapists, art therapists, mental health counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other mental health clinicians,
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problem gambling treatment providers,
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Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADCs),
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Certified Gamling Addiction Counselors (CGACs),
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problem gambling treatment supervisors, and
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prevention specialists.
What Is Included
In this online training, you’ll learn how to view problem gambling through a relational, systems-focused lens and thoughtfully involve family members and caring others in the treatment process. You’ll explore how to determine who should participate in sessions based on therapeutic goals, engage family members in ways that support meaningful change, and apply foundational family therapy concepts to problem gambling treatment.
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The course features immersive case studies, presentations, readings, research snapshots, handouts, and other resources.
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This course includes videos of experienced mental health clinicians demonstrating clinical skills in scenarios adapted from real sessions. Clients are portrayed by actors. This provides authenticity while protecting client privacy.
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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 the course in a single sitting. You are free to open and close a course as many times as you like.
Who Developed This Course
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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What Others Are Saying
Excellent Course
C Rae
Likely one of the best online learning formats out there! Great information. Worth your time.
Likely one of the best online learning formats out there! Great information. Worth your time.
Read LessBonnie McIrvin LCSW, CGACII, NCGCII, CADCIII, MAC
Bonnie McIrvin
I found this training easy to follow with loads of new updated information I did not have since I am not working with folks or families that experience issue...
Read MoreI found this training easy to follow with loads of new updated information I did not have since I am not working with folks or families that experience issues of family members or friends gambling, and now note I can use some of the new techniques and models for supporting those that may suffer with the circumstances of problem gambling and how it may impact their lives.
Read Lessinvolving family in PG treatment
Stormie Goins-Maneval
excellent and worthwhile to engage in training with or without ceu credits - excellent refresher
excellent and worthwhile to engage in training with or without ceu credits - excellent refresher
Read LessFamilies of problem gamblers suffer.
Peter Mugalu Ssemwogerere
I found the first study material very informative
I found the first study material very informative
Read LessWhat About CE Hours
Certificate of completion will be made available on the Student Dashboard after you complete all required course activities and the course evaluation survey.
ACORN is approved by the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO), Provider ID: 26-0044, to provide continuing education courses. Additionally, 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.
Next in Sequence
Once you complete this course, continue with:
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Core Family Therapy Concepts
5.0 average rating (7 reviews)3 CE hours. On-demand. Guides providers to focus on process and avoid getting caught in content; work from a relational, systemic perspective; manage conflict by encouraging emotional regulation. Free, courtesy of Oregon Health Authority PGS.
Free
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Working with Children in Problem Gambling Treatment
5.0 average rating (4 reviews)3 CE hours. On-demand. Introduces family therapy concepts and offers a guided tour for how to include children and teens in problem gambling treatment family sessions. Free, courtesy of Oregon Health Authority Problem Gambling Services.
Free
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Risk, Safety Planning, and Suicide Prevention with Families
5.0 average rating (16 reviews)3 CE hours. On-demand. Reviews some of the risks associated with problem gambling and prepares providers for including families in safety planning, screening for violence, and identifying abuse. Free, courtesy of Oregon Health Authority PGS.
Free
