Problem Gambling Assessment and Treatment Planning
Free · On-demand · 2 CE hours · Learn at your own pace
On-Demand Course
at your pace and convenience.
This course is approved for 2 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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assess the need for problem gambling treatment using the Gambling Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (GBIRT) screening process;
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complete an ASAM assessment with clients who enter treatment for gambling problems;
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identify what should be considered in developing treatment and wellness plans;
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refer a client to residential treatment; and
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understand the role of community groups and peer support in treatment.
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
This training provides practical guidance for assessing gambling-related concerns and for developing treatment plans that reflect clients’ needs, circumstances, and goals. You’ll explore how to use the GBIRT screening process and conduct ASAM-informed assessments. The course also examines key considerations in treatment and wellness planning, including how to address the “dream world”, connect clients with supports, and determine when a referral to residential treatment may be appropriate.
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The course includes four modules, each with a combination of immersive case studies, presentations, and readings.
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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 and view content as many times as you like. It is not necessary to complete the course in a single sitting. You are free to open and close the course as many times as you like.
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Once you have reviewed and mastered the content of a 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 the course.
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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Senior Instructor Rick Berman
Rick Berman, MA, LPC, CADC III, CGAC II specializes in integrated treatment of co-occurring mental health and addictive disorders. He trained and supervised addictions and mental health counselors for more than 20 years. In recent years his work focused more specifically on problem gambling. He has presented at national problem gambling conferences in Canada and the United States. He is the past coordinator of Lewis & Clark’s Problem Gambling Services and instructed Gambling Counselor Pre-Certification Courses for many years.
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What Others Are Saying
A self paced course with the feel of inperson training
Angria Bassett
loved this educational, practical and valuable training by these professionals. I would highly recommend for any level counseling professionals.
loved this educational, practical and valuable training by these professionals. I would highly recommend for any level counseling professionals.
Read LessGreat course!
Jami Opp
I think this course is beneficial for anyone new to the gambling field who wants to learn more!
I think this course is beneficial for anyone new to the gambling field who wants to learn more!
Read Lessexcellent
CURTIS DORSEY
This was a great presentation learned a lot
This was a great presentation learned a lot
Read Lessexcellent
Donna Lepley
good information
good information
Read LessExcellent Content
Rita Downs
Comprehensive information
Comprehensive information
Read LessVery informative
Judy Carethers
excellent
excellent
Read LessHelpful information
Diane Long
Very educational
Joshua Boyd
informative
sheena Gentry
fantastic
priscilla odey
GOOD
Nkemakolam Ndionuka
Good
Good
Read Lessgreat
wanik walker
na
na
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.
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