Join us for the “Gambling Addiction: Trends in Treatment, Public Health, and Gambling” conference, where we will delve into the latest advancements in gambling disorder treatment and public health strategies.
We are focusing on addressing disparities and promoting equity in care. Key presentations include “Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Strategies for Meeting the Needs of People from Diverse Backgrounds with Diverse Addictions,” “Understanding Dropout from Treatment for Problem and Disordered Gambling,” “Treating Gambling Harms: Valuable Strategies for Engaging and Retaining our Clients,” and “Panoramic Views: Self and Gambler in Helping Relationships.”
These sessions are designed to equip professionals with the tools and knowledge to better support individuals from all walks of life. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from leading experts and contribute to the ongoing efforts to make gambling addiction treatment more accessible and effective for everyone.
Schedule
- 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: Registration & Continental Breakfast
- 9:00-9:15 a.m.: Welcome and Opening Remarks
- 9:15 – 11:30 a.m.: CBT for Addictions (with a break at 10:15 a.m.)
- 11:30 – 12:45 p.m.: Lunch provided
- 12:45 – 1:45 p.m.: Treating Gambling Harms
- 1:45 – 2:45 p.m.: Understanding Dropout from Treatment
- 2:45 – 3:00 p.m.: Refreshment break
- 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Panoramic Views
- 4:00 – 4:15 p.m.: Questions and Closing Remarks
Conference Presentations
CBT for Addictions: Customizing Your Strategies to Meet the Needs of People from Diverse Backgrounds
Speaker: Dr. Bruce Liese, University of Kansas Medical Center
Workshop: Active, experiential two-hour workshop that will cover strategies for conceptualizing people with addictions.
Description: During this session, Dr. Liese will present cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) concepts, strategies, and techniques for understanding and providing care to diverse people with diverse addictions. The concept of “Addiction” will be defined from various perspectives (e.g., social, psychological, medical, and spiritual). Several cognitive-behavioral therapies (e.g., Behavioral Activation, Contingency Management, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy) will be described. The concept of “Recovery” will be discussed. Five specific processes common to all talk therapies will be presented (structure, collaboration, case conceptualization, psychoeducation, and standardized techniques). And finally, participants will learn about specific cognitive processes (e.g., System 1 and System 2 thinking) that make it difficult for people to make significant life changes.
Learning objectives:
- Provide definitions of “Addiction” from at least two perspectives
- Describe at least one similarity and difference between the various cognitive-behavioral therapies
- Articulate their own personal definition of “Recovery”
- List the five processes common to all talk therapies for addiction
- Distinguish between System 1 and System 2 thinking
Understanding Dropout from Treatment for Problem and Disordered Gambling
Speaker: Dr. Rory Pfund, University of Memphis
Description: Although psychological treatment reduces gambling behavior and gambling disorder symptoms, a large proportion of individuals seeking treatment discontinue prematurely. This presentation will focus on reviewing research on discontinuation from treatment and discuss how to translate this research into useful knowledge for clinicians treating individuals with problem and disordered gambling.
Learning Objectives:
- Distinguish between stigmatizing and nonstigmatizing terminology to describe individuals who discontinue treatment
- Understand when individuals are most likely to discontinue treatment
- Identify the reasons that individuals decide to discontinue treatment
Treating Gambling Harms: Valuable Strategies for Engaging and Retaining our Clients
Speaker: Dr. James Whelan, University of Memphis
Description: The evidence supports that gambling specific treatment can reduce the symptoms, gambling behavior and possibly enhance well-being. At the same time, only 10-15% of individuals experiencing gambling harm seek treatment and 39% of treatment seekers discontinue treatment before a therapeutic dose. This webinar will review this evidence and the evidence for addressing treatment hesitancy and dropout.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the range of gambling harms intervention and the evidence for the effectiveness of each type of treatment.
- Be knowledgeable of the challenges related to treatment hesitancy and possible evidence-based efforts that might enhance treatment engagement.
- To understand the likelihood of premature treatment discontinuation and possible ways of staying in treatment.
Panoramic Views: Self and Gambler in Helping Relationships
Speaker: Cindy Anderson, MSW, LCSW, ICGC-I, Executive Director of Peopleworks-NM
Description: This workshop addresses a helping professional’s need for a panoramic view of the interiors and exteriors of a gambler’s life while not neglecting the impact of our own interiors/exteriors. This presentation provides an overview of issues to look for: comorbidities, the shame and stigma associated with gambling disorder, and need for assessment and intervention in multiple domains of a gambler’s life. As a helping professional, willingness to converse about difficult subjects such as trauma, shame, sex, cultural influences, and money become critical.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify 3 potential comorbidities or associated conditions found in problem gambling.
- Identify 3 domains of a gambler’s life that you should include in your assessment and possible interventions.
- Identify your own biases and difficulty in helping problem gamblers.
Speakers
Bruce Liese, PhD
University of Kansas Medical Center
Dr. Bruce Liese is a seasoned psychologist dedicated to practice, research, and education. With an impressive 35-year tenure as a Professor at the University of Kansas, he has made indelible marks in the Departments of Family Medicine, Psychiatry, and Psychology. Dr. Liese’s research has predominantly revolved around the assessment and treatment of mental health issues, with a keen focus on addictive behaviors, spanning chemical and behavioral addictions.
Rory Pfund, PhD
University of Memphis
Dr. Rory Pfund assumes the Clinic and Research Director role at the Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education & Research at the University of Memphis. His research primarily revolves around the evaluation and personalization of psychological treatments for gambling disorder and substance use disorders. As a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Pfund brings much experience delivering cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management, enriching behavioral health treatment.
James Whelan, PhD
University of Memphis
For over 20 years, Dr. James Whelan has served as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education and Research (TIGER), a comprehensive institution encompassing a dedicated gambling research team and a network of outpatient clinics throughout the state. At the heart of TIGER’s mission lies a commitment to bridging the gap between the research lab and the treatment clinic. Over the years, Dr. Whelan’s team has made invaluable contributions to the field, particularly in gambling disorder prevention, assessment, and treatment.
Cindy Anderson, MSW, LCSW, ICGC-I
Executive Director of People Works—NM
With a deep commitment to expanding access to mental wellness services, Cindy believes all individuals can enhance their quality of life. She commenced her career focusing on children, adolescents, and their families and expanded her expertise to include the older adult population and the treatment of gamblers. Cindy’s extensive 38-year career in social work encompasses roles in counseling, medical social work, and administration. Her dedicated service to the geriatric mentally ill population earned her the 2009 NASW New Mexico Social Worker of the Year title. Further, in 2013, she was honored with the Zimmerman Community Service Award by the Rio Rancho Rotary Foundation, recognizing her significant contributions to community service.
Continuing Education Hours:
Attendees will receive up to 5 continuing education hours. The ICRG will issue certificates of approval from the following organizations: NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals; The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); The American Psychological Association; Arizona affiliate of the National Association of Social Workers (approval has been sought).
This conference is a must-attend for healthcare providers involved in addiction treatment and public health. It offers them a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights and strategies for treating gambling disorders. It also serves as a platform for networking with peers and leaders in the field.
For more information, please contact Nicole Scott at nscott@icrg.org.
