Problem Gambling Counselor Precertification Training

Problem Gambling Counselor Precertification

This synchronous (live) online training provides the 30 educational hours required to become certified as a Gambling Addictions Counselor (CGAC) in Oregon. Course content is informed by the Problem Gambling Treatment Provider Core Competencies.

Interested in this course? Email us at [email protected]

Real-Time Course

starting in February 2025.

The Problem Gambling Counselor Precertification synchronous course entails virtual meetings with instructors and fellow learners on Friday mornings, between February 21, 2025 and April 11, 2025. The course also includes self-paced lessons in between the meetings. The course is approved by the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (IPGGC) and the Mental Health & Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) for 30 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. Course Description
3. Course Objectives
4. Before we begin...
5. Your Professional Background
6. Pretest Invitation
7. Pretest
8. Session 1 Introduction
9. Session 1 Learning Objectives
10. Session 1 Relevant Core Competencies
11. Notes for changes needed Fall 2026
12. To be added for Fall, 2025 needs to be included in actual class: Resource: Gambling Recovery Community
13. Required Reading: SAMSHA Introduction to Problem Gambling
14. Required Reading: Gambling Research Exchange Ontario Rapid Evidence Review
15. Required Reading: Guide to Oregon's Core Competencies for Problem Gambling Treatment Providers
16. Required Reading: Impact of Gambling on Public Health
17. Handout: Instructor Slide Deck
18. Handout: Warning Signs
19. Fact Sheet: Gaming and Gambling
20. Resource: Gambling Moderation / Harm Reduction
21. Additional Resources
22. PLEASE WATCH BEFORE NEXT SESSION
23. Session 1 Recording Fall 2024
24. Session 1 Recording Spring 2025
1. Session 2 Introduction
2. Session 2 Learning Objectives
3. Session 2 Relevant Core Competencies
4. Required Changes for Fall 2026
5. Required Reading: National Council on Problem Gambling Gambling Assessment Manual
6. Required Resource: OHA Problem Gambling Assessment
7. Resource: ASAM Criteria
8. Handout: Example of Relapse Prevention Plan
9. Handout: Instructor Slide Deck
10. Session 2 Recording Fall 2024
11. Session 2 Recording Spring 2025
1. Session 3 Introduction
2. Session 3 Learning Objectives
3. Session 3 Relevant Core Competencies
4. Required Reading: NCPG Problem Gamblers and Their Finances
5. Handout: Instructor Slide Deck
6. Video: Persons in recovery talking about money
7. Session 3 Recording Fall 2024
1. Session 4 Introduction
2. Session 4 Learning Objectives
3. Session 4 Relevant Core Competencies
4. Handout: Instructor Slide Deck
5. Required Reading: Motivational Interviewing in Problem Gambling
6. Session 4 Recording Fall 2024
7. Session 4 Recording Spring 2025
1. Session 5 Introduction
2. Session 5 Learning Objectives
3. Session 5 Relevant Core Competencies
4. Resource: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
5. Resource: Safety Plan
6. Required Reading: MHACBO Code of Conduct
7. Required Reading: IPGGC Code of Ethics for Clinical Professionals
8. Required Reading: IPGGC Code of Conduct for Clinical Professionals
9. Required Reading: Principles of Trauma Informed Care
10. Optional Reading: IPV in Treatment Seeking Gamblers
11. Session 5 Recording Fall 2024
12. Session 5 Recording Spring 2025
1. Session 6 Introduction
2. Session 6 Relevant Core Competencies
3. Required Reading: Evidence Based Treatments Chapter 4 and 6
4. Session 6 Recording Spring 2025
1. Session 7 Introduction
2. Session 7 Learning Objectives
3. Session 7 Relevant Competencies
4. Handout: Instructor Slide Deck
5. Fact Sheet: Adolescent Gambling
6. Fact Sheet: 2020 OR Student Health Survey - Gambling
7. Fact Sheet: PG - College - Oregon
8. Fact Sheet: PG-Older Adults - OR
9. Fact Sheet: PG LGBTQ OR
10. Required Reading: Military and Gambling
11. Required Reading: Criminal Behavior and Problem Gambling
12. Required Reading: Problem Gambling and Stigma
13. Resource: Gambling Treatment Providers in Oregon
14. Additional Reading: Using Lived Experience to Promote Equity in Problem Gambling Prevention
15. Session 7 Recording Spring 2025
1. Session 8 Introduction
2. Session 8 Learning Objectives
3. Session 8 Relevant Core Competencies
4. Required Reading: Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention in Problem Gambling
5. Required Reading: Values Activity
6. Handout: ACT Matrix
7. Handout: Mindfulness Activities
8. PLEASE WATCH BEFORE NEXT SESSION
9. Session 8 Recording Spring 2025
10. Posttest Invitation
11. Posttest
12. Before we wrap up...
13. Course Evaluation

About this course

$195.00
93 lessons
95 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.

Instructor Raul Ramirez

Raul Ramirez, CADC II, CGAC II, QMHA is a Problem Gambling Treatment Specialist with the Oregon Health Authority. He is a bilingual (English/Spanish) provider and member of the Multiethnic Advisory Committee, supporting awareness and community-building around gambling-related harm among underserved populations. Raul has experience delivering clinical supervision for professionals pursuing CADC and CGAC credentials. He is a strong advocate for equity and culturally responsive care for LGBTQIA2S+ and Latinx communities, with expertise in program and systems development, engagement and retention strategies, and community education.

OHA 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.

Pricing

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

$195.00

Regular price

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ACORN

is committed to excellence.

ACORN has been approved by the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (IPGGC) 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.