NCRG Pre-conference Workshop Looks At Naadac’s New Gambling Endorsement

Before the14th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addictionofficially kicked off yesterday, the NCRG held three pre-conference workshops for conference attendees. One workshop featuredShirley Beckett Mikell, NCAC II, CAC II, SAP, director of certification and education, and National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) staff liaison forNAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, who spoke about a partnership between the NCRG and her organization to develop a new, evidence-based endorsement for counselors interested in specializing in gambling disorders.

This workshop drew attendees from across the United States—and even from Mexico and Canada—who specialize in many different treatment areas, including mental health, alcohol and drug abuse, family, marriage, substance abuse, addiction and more.

Ms. Mikell began the workshop by providing background on NAADAC and its certification arm, theNCC AP. NCC AP operates as an independent body from all matters involving the association’s alcohol and drug abuse counselor certification and specialty endorsement opportunities at the national and international levels.

After describing NCC AP’s current accreditations and endorsements, Ms. Mikell announced that the organization is partnering with the NCRG to develop a gambling endorsement. Ms. Mikell noted that the gambling endorsement has many benefits, including:

• Offers the ability to capitalize on specialized training and education obtained in specialty areas
• Allows one who holds a current nationally recognized credential or license identity in a specialty area
• Does not cost as much or as long to obtain as a credential
• Does not have to be renewed as often as a credential
• Identity as a specialist in a specific area of practice

The gambling endorsement will focus on best practices, highlight current theories and approaches, engage experts in the profession and build an educational and training foundation. It will focus on several domain areas, including definitions, the etiology of gambling disorders, population studies, counseling practices and recovery.

Before concluding the session with a question and answer session, Ms. Mikell stated that the gambling endorsement should be ready in 2014.

Are you interested in learning more about this new gambling endorsement? Stay tuned toGambling Disorders 360°for future updates!

NCRG staffConference on Gambling and AddictionGambling EndorsementNAADACNCRG Conference on Gambling and AddictionPre-Conference Workshop