Treatment Provider Workshops

As part of its ongoing public outreach initiatives, the ICRG hosts a national Treatment Provider Workshop Series that allows mental health and addiction treatment providers to better understand the most up-to-date research on gambling disorders and apply those findings to their clinical practice. Each training session features leading researchers and clinicians in the field of gambling disorders, and topics range from screenings and assessments for gambling addiction to new manuals including effective behavioral treatment strategies.

These free workshops are hosted in partnership with various state and regional organizations, and participants will earn continuing education credits from leading accrediting organizations.

The ICRG plans to host workshops in other cities in the years ahead. Those interested in hosting a workshop in their community should contact Christine Reilly at creilly@icrg.org.

 

 

2020 Treatment Provider Workshops:

 

March 26-27, 2020: Sandia Resort and Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

TOPICS:

 

Michael Wohl, PhD, “Overcoming Barriers to Change: How Longing for the Past Can Be Used to Facilitate a Better Future” 

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Describe why nostalgic reverie (i.e. sentimental longing) is an agent of behavior change

• Identity the conditions under which nostalgia has behavior change utility

• Understand when longing for the past or desire for a better future should be used to motivate behavior change.

 

Bruce Liese, PhD, “CBT for Addictions: Customizing Your Strategies to Meet the Needs of People from Diverse Backgrounds” 

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Explain the impact of diversity on treatment delivery

• Identify one aspect of the decision-making process when providing CBT

 

Shari O’Loughlin, “Youth Bereavement: Direct Support Techniques to Influence Healthier Adulthood Outcomes” 

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Know the incidence and impact of childhood grief and how it differs from adult grief.

• Recognize the high risk factors for bereaved youth and the unhealthy coping techniques often turned to first that can last into adulthood when grief is unsupported and unaddressed.

• Review direct support techniques for bereaved youth that impacts healthier outcomes and reduces addictive behaviors in adulthood, including gambling addictions.

 

Cecelia Jayme, “Gambling as a Response to Grief” 

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Explain why elders find solace in the casino

• Explain how health care professionals can help

 

Victor Ortiz, “Suicide and Gambling: What Every Clinician Needs to Know” 

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Understand common factors and clinical barriers associated with gambling disorders and suicide

• Identify effective steps in establishing prevention strategies

• Identify resources and screening tools

 

Tonya Elliot, “The Spirit of Addiction: Providing Culturally Competent, Trauma Informed Care for Gambling Addiction Treatment” 

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Understand and interpret cultural competency requirements of the American Counseling Association regarding privileged vs. marginalized populations and historical trauma 

•  Identify trauma informed care 

•  Explain being culturally informed

 

Iris Balodis, PhD and Deirdre Querney, “Brain Connections: How to Talk About the Neurobiology of Gambling Disorder” 

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Learn about effective clinical-research partnerships to develop tools for clients with problem gambling

• Answer five often-asked client questions about the neurobiology of problem gambling and how to effectively integrate these clinical tools into your practice

• Use the handouts to enhance your clinical work and help clients apply what they have learned to their own situations

 

Matthew Pearson, PhD, “Mitigating Gambling-Related Harms: Innovations for Harm Reduction” 

 

The program is free but advanced registration is required: Register Here

 

Attendees can earn up to 10 continuing education hours accepted by NAADAC, NBCC and Social Work CEUs Approved by NASW-NM. In addition, the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The ICRG maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

 

 

2019 Treatment Provider Workshops:

 

March 21-22, 2019: Sandia Resort and Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Sponsored by

        

Program

March 21, 2019

8:00-9:00 a.m.        Registration & Continental Breakfast

9:00-9:15 a.m.        Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:15-10:15 a.m.     Andrew Kayser, MD, PhD, “Waiting is the Hardest Part: Impulsivity, Addiction and the Brain”

            Learning Objectives:

• Identify one way in which risky decision-making is affected by neurotransmitters.
• Explain the implications of the neurobiology of gambling disorder for clinical practice.

10:15-10:30 a.m.   Morning break

10:30-Noon        Rani Hoff, PhD, “Gambling Among the Military and Veterans”

            Learning objectives:

• Identify the particular problems facing disordered gamblers in the military.
• Identify one shift in policy that would benefit disordered gamblers who are veterans or in the active military.​

        Session Presentation Slides (click here):  r_hoffgambling_and_related_comorbidity_among_us_veterans_2019.pdf

 

Noon-1:00 p.m.      Lunch

 

1:00-2:30 p.m.       Debi LaPlante, PhD, “Practice Guidelines for Treating Gambling-Related Problems: An Evidence-based Treatment Guide for Clinicians”

            Learning Objectives

• Describe recent research related to the empirical assessment of strategies for treating gambling-related problems.
• Identify strategies that have high quality, developing, and limited strength of evidence.

 

        Session Presentation Slides (click here): d_laplante_ebp_for_new_mexico_2019.pdf

 

2:30-2:45 p.m.     Afternoon Break

 

2:45-3:45 p.m.     Cindy Anderson, MSW, LCSW, IGCC-I, “Snapshots of Sobriety”

            Learning Objectives

• List four psychosocial factors which help gamblers maintain sobriety.
• Describe five differences between older adult gamblers and other age groups.

 

March 22, 2019

8:00-9:00 a.m.       Registration & Continental Breakfast

 

9:00-9:15 a.m.        Welcome & Opening Remarks

 

9:15 -10:45 a.m.     William Moyers, “A Drug is a Bet is a Drug”

            

            Learning Objectives

• Explain the power of the illness on the mind, body and spirit of an addict, the role of treatment and the responsibility of managing recovery over a lifetime.
• Identify action steps to educate policy makers and erase the public stigma of any addiction.

 

10:45 - 11:00 a.m.   Morning break

 

11:00 a.m. - Noon    Scott Tonigan, PhD, “What People Do in 12-Step Programs that Mobilizes Change and Why”

 

            Learning Objectives

• Identify one ingredient in 12-Step programs that facilitates behavioral change.
• Identify possible implications for better understanding Gamblers Anonymous.​​​

Session Presentation Slides (click here):tonigan_ncrg_aa_presentation_3-22-19.pdf

 

 

Noon-1:00 p.m.        Lunch

 

1:00-2:30 p.m.       Katie Witkiewitz, PhD, “Addictive Behavior Relapse: Challenges in theTreatment of Gambling Disorder in New Mexico and How Mindfulness May be Helpful in Breaking the Relapse Cycle”

            Learning Objectives

• Explain the theoretical and empirical foundations underlying a mindfulness-based approach to the treatment of gambling disorders.
• Describe the key practices, adaptations, and challenges of mindfulness practices in real world settings.
• Learn the 3 minute breathing space as a specific skill that can be used with gambling clients and basic principles for conducting mindfulness-based interventions.

​​

Session Presentation Slides (click here): k._witkiewitz_sandia_conference_2019.pdf

2:30-2:45 p.m.    Afternoon Break

 

2:45-3:45 p.m.    Bobbie Anderson, “Community Health and Social Impacts of Gambling Addiction: Awareness Made Simple”

            Learning Objectives:

• Clinicians will gain awareness of the Impacts of Gambling Addiction within the community setting
• How those impacts effect the treatment of the addiction
• A treatment review for the clinicians to reestablish connection with problem gamblers in treatment

Continuing Education

Attendees can earn up to 10 CE hours. The NCRG is an approved provider of CE by NAADAC and NBCC. In addition, the NCRG is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The NCRG maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

 

The program is approved by the NASW-New Mexico.

 

Registration

The program is free but registration is required. Visit www.sandiacasino.com/responsible-gaming to register.

 

2018 NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series sessions:

 

WHEN:        March 21-22, 2018

WHERE:      Sandia Resort and Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico

SPEAKERS AND TOPICS: Complete Conference Agenda

• Christine Reilly, What Policymakers and Clinicians Should Know about Gambling Disorder

• David Hodgins, PhD, Stigma and Motivators for Seeking Treatment and Motivational Interviewing and Gambling

• Janine Robinson, How to Work with Clients Who Don’t Want to Quit Gambling and Is Responsible Gaming Really a Thing?

• J. Carlos Rivera, Wellbriety: A Native American Recovery Movement

• Rani Hoff, PhD, Gambling Problems among the Military and Veterans

CEUs:  Approved by NAADAC, NBCC and NASW-New Mexico. The NCRG is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The NCRG maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

 

REGISTRATION: The program is free but registration is required. For details visit www.sandiacasino.com/responsible-gaming/

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

As a result of this program, attendees will be able to:

• Identify some of the main trends in new research on gambling disorder and responsible gambling.
• Identify some of the issues in conducting screening for gambling disorder.
• Identify the changes in the DSM-5 code for “Gambling Disorder.”
• Explain how stigma prevents disordered gamblers from seeking help.
• Identify several motivators for disordered gamblers to seek help.
• Identify the basic principles of Motivational Interviewing.
• Identify two reasons why Motivational Interviewing appears to be a useful approach when treating clients with gambling disorder.
• Implement Motivational Interviewing with clients who have a gambling disorder.
• Identify several reasons why disordered gamblers reuse to abstain from gambling.
• Explain a strategy for dealing with resistance to change among disordered gamblers.
• Identify the principles of Responsible Gaming.
• Better understand the reality of of the effectiveness of responsible gaming programs.
• Identify the cultural component of Wellbriety and the reasons for its effectiveness among Native Americans.
• Identify the particular problems facing disordered gamblers in the military.
• Identify one shift in policy that would benefit disordered gamblers who are veterans or in the active military

2017 NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series sessions:

VIDENCE-BASED TOPICS ON GAMBLING AND ADDICTION

TREATMENT PROVIDER WORKSHOPS IN NEW MEXICO

March 23-24, 2017

The NCRG is pleased to announce that it will cosponsor with Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, NM, two days of treatment provider workshops on March 23-24, 2017. The topics and speakers for “Evidence-based Topics on Gambling and Addiction” include:

• Bruce Liese, PhD, Manualized CBT Group for Diverse Addictive Behaviors
• Jon Grant, MD, JD, MPH, Gambling Disorder: Similarities and Differences with Substance Use Disorders
• Nathan Smith, But Is It Working? How to Measure the Effectiveness of Responsible Gaming Programs and Policies
• Lisa Najavits, PhD, Seeking Safety: A Strategy for Addressing Trauma and Addiction

Clinicians can earn up to 9.5 continuing education hours approved by NBCC and NAADAC. There is no cost for this program that will be held at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, NM.

Register at www.sandiacasino.com/responsible-gaming

Learning Objectives

Seeking Safety: A Strategy for Addressing Trauma and Addiction

• Increase understanding of trauma and/or gambling disorder
• Apply Seeking Safety with clients with gambling disorder
• Obtain assessment and treatment resources

Manualized CBT Group for Diverse Addictive Behaviors

• Conceptualize diverse addictive behaviors according to a cognitive-behavioral perspective
• Describe structure and essential components of a CBTAG session
• Design and implement a CBTAG in own organization serving a group with diverse addictive behaviors

Gambling Disorder: Similarities and Differences with Substance Abuse Disorders

• Conceptualize ways in which gambling disorder shares characteristics of a substance use disorder
• Conceptualize ways in which gambling disorder differs from substance abuse disorder
• Explain the clinical significance of these similarities and differences

But Is It Working? How to Measure the Effectiveness of Responsible Gaming Programs and Policies

• Describe the current research base for responsible gaming practices
• Identify one responsible gaming program that has been shown to be safe and effective

 

2016 NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series sessions:

• Minneapolis, MN - "Assessment and Treatment of Gambling Disorder"
  Oct. 9
  Co-sponsor: NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals
   

2015 NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series sessions:

• Columbus, OH - "Identification and Treatment of Gambling Disorder"
  Oct. 15
  Speaker: Dr. Jon E. Grant, University of Chicago School of Medicine
  Co-sponsors: Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services & Drug Free Action Alliance
   

2014 NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series sessions:

• Reno, Nev. - "Waiting is the Hardest Part: Impulsivity, Addiction and the Brain"
  Apr. 10-11
  Speaker: Dr. Andrew Kayser, University of California, Berkeley
  Co-sponsor: Nevada Council on Problem Gambling
• Boston, Mass. - "Addiction Medicine - A Case-based Approach to the Treatment of Addictive Disorders and other Mental Conditions"
  Oct. 10-11
  Co-sponsor: Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, a division of Harvard Medical School.
• Albuquerque, NM - "Learning with the Leaders: Screening and Assessment Strategies"
  Oct. 20, 9 a.m. - noon PT
  Speaker: Dr. Sarah Nelson, Division on Addictions, Cambridge Health Alliance, a division on Harvard Medical School
  Co-sponsor: Sandia Casino and Resort
   

2013 NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series sessions:

• Pasco, Wash. - "Screening and Assessment Strategies"
  April 2, 2013, 9 a.m. - noon PT
  Speaker: Dr. Sarah Nelson, Division on Addictions, Cambridge Health Alliance, a division on Harvard Medical School
  Co-sponsor: Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling
• Kansas City, Mo. - "PTSD and Problem Gambling"
  June 28, 2013
  Speaker: Dr. Lisa Najavits, Boston University School of Medicine
  **Session is held in conjunction with the Midwest Conference on Substance Abuse and Problem Gambling
• Baton Rouge, LA - "Gambling Disorders: Screening and Assessment Strategies"
  Oct. 22, 2013, 8:30 a.m. - noon
  Speaker: Dr. Ken Winters, University of Minnesota
  ​​

2012 NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series sessions:

• Miami, Fla. - "Gambling Disorders: Screening and Assessment Strategies"
  May 2, 2012, 9 a.m. - noon EST
  Speaker: Dr. Ken Winters, University of Minnesota
  Co-Sponsor: Florida Psychological Association
• Pittsburgh, Penn. - "Helping Clients Overcome Impulse Control Problems and Address Youth Gambling"
  May 18, 2012, 9 a.m. - noon EST
  Speaker: Dr. Jon Grant, University of Minnesota
  Co-Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
• Las Vegas, Nev. - "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Problem Gambling"
  September 29, 2012, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST
  Speaker: Dr. Lisa Najavitz, Boston University School of Medicine
  Co-sponsor: Nevada Council on Problem Gambling
  Location: Sands Expo and Convention Center, Sands Room 101

2011 NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series sessions:

• Boston, Mass. – "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Problem Gambling"
  July 26, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST
  Speaker: Dr. Lisa Najavitz, Boston University School of Medicine
  Co-sponsor: The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

• Iowa City, Iowa –"Update on Gambling Disorders: Advanced Training on Predictors, Comorbidity and Course"
  August 30, 2011, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. CST, University of Iowa, North Hall, room 103
  Speaker: Dr. Donald Black, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Kelch Conference Room
  Co-sponsor: Iowa Gambling Treatment Program, Iowa Department of Public Health

• San Diego, Calif. – "Screening and Assessment of Pathological Gambling" 
  September 20, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. PST, National Conference on Addictive Disorders
  Speaker: Dr. Randy Stinchfield, University of Minnesota
  Co-sponsor: NAADAC, The Association For Addiction Professionals
  **Participants must register for the National Conference on Addictive Disorders

• Las Vegas, Nev. – "Overcoming Impulse Control – A Guide for Therapists"
  October 1, 2011, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. PST, The Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian, Room 201
  Speaker: Dr. Jon Grant, University of Minnesota
  Co-sponsor: Nevada Council for Problem Gambling

• Detroit, Mich. – "Brief Motivational Interventions for Problem Gambling" 
  October 25, 2011, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. CST, The Guidance Center, Center for Excellence (13111 Allen Road, Building 2, Southgate, MI)
  Speaker: Dr. Matthew Martens, University of Missouri, Columbia
  Co-sponsors: Neighborhood Service Organization, Michigan Association for Problem Gambling

• Explain the impact of diversity on treatment delivery

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• Explain the impact of diversity on treatment delivery

•