Training Calendar

Presenters:    Jodie Nealley, Haner Hernandez PhD, Yvonne Andrews, Ted Nikolla & Thomas Broffman PhD

4 weeks of classes – The goal of Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling’s Training Institute is to increase the number of services providers in the treatment and service of Gambling Disorders, increase community access to comprehensive and competent care, increase service & treatment delivery, and improve treatment outcomes. The Training Institute provides a comprehensive delivery of gambling specific training’s for social services providers to build the capacity of knowledge in the area of gambling disorder. The training institute meets from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm, twice per week for four weeks.  At the conclusion of the four-week training process, individuals will be able to meet the MA PGS training standards and certificate training requirements.

Clock Hours/Continuing Education Units- 32

Presenter:      Haner Hernández, PhD., CADCII, LADCI

This training will focus on the connection between gambling and cultural intelligence.  Participants will learn about behavioral health disparities, how to build health equity, and will explore specific techniques and strategies designed to engage and treat people from diverse identities and communities.  The training will include didactic as well as interactive exercises designed to engage participants and elicit their input.  The training is intended for entry to advanced level.

Clock hours/Continuing Education Units: 4.5

Presenters:    Jodie Nealley, Haner Hernandez PhD, Yvonne Andrews, Ted Nikolla & Thomas Broffman PhD

4 weeks of classes – The goal of Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling’s Training Institute is to increase the number of services providers in the treatment and service of Gambling Disorders, increase community access to comprehensive and competent care, increase service & treatment delivery, and improve treatment outcomes. The Training Institute provides a comprehensive delivery of gambling specific training’s for social services providers to build the capacity of knowledge in the area of gambling disorder. The training institute meets from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm, twice per week for four weeks.  At the conclusion of the four-week training process, individuals will be able to meet the MA PGS training standards and certificate training requirements.

Clock Hours/Continuing Education Units- 32

Presenter:      Dr. Deborah Haskins

Do you know how to have the conversation about problem gambling with gamblers exhibiting risky gambling behavior or who may have a gambling disorder? Do you know how to provide problem gambling wellness in the communities outside of the therapy office/mental health agency?  Are you skilled in how to engage culturally diverse persons/families/communities and how to have the conversation about problem gambling?  Well, attend this webinar which will also include a demonstration of how to have the conversation with a culturally diverse former gambler.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Learn effective conversation skills for gamblers and community members about problem gambling;
• Learn how to provide a “warm” transfer to problem gambling treatment and/or peer recovery resources;
• Expand cultural awareness about how to engage culturally diverse gamblers, loved ones, and communities when sharing problem gambling advocacy and wellness.

Dr. Deborah G. Haskins is President of the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, Director of Counseling Programs and Associate Professor of Counseling at Trinity Washington University. She has a PhD in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University. Dr. Haskins is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Master Addictions Counselor, Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor, and Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor.

Clock hours/Continuing Education Units: 2.0

Presenters:    Jodie Nealley, Haner Hernandez PhD, Yvonne Andrews, Ted Nikolla & Thomas Broffman PhD

4 weeks of classes – The goal of Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling’s Training Institute is to increase the number of services providers in the treatment and service of Gambling Disorders, increase community access to comprehensive and competent care, increase service & treatment delivery, and improve treatment outcomes. The Training Institute provides a comprehensive delivery of gambling specific training’s for social services providers to build the capacity of knowledge in the area of gambling disorder. The training institute meets from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm, twice per week for four weeks.  At the conclusion of the four-week training process, individuals will be able to meet the MA PGS training standards and certificate training requirements.

Clock Hours/Continuing Education Units- 32

Presenter:      Thomas E. Broffman, PhD, LICSW, CAADAC, CCS, CEAP

This training is for behavioral health providers interested in learning about working with military members and veterans with gambling problems and their families. The participants will gain knowledge of the five branches of service, their missions, and traditions. Research suggests that the rate of problem gambling is higher among military personnel than that of the general population. Problem gambling tends to co-occur with other disorders that have elevated rates among those who have served in the military, such as substance abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicide. While there is an abundance of opportunities for veterans and enlisted personnel to gamble, many members of the military do not have access to treatment for gambling problems and may face disciplinary action for seeking help. Participants will also become familiar with various services and interventions that are beneficial to military members and veterans with gambling problems and their families.

 Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the demographics of today’s military
• Understand military culture
• Identify Gambling Problems among Veterans

Thomas E. Broffman, PhD, LICSW, CAADAC, CCS, CEAP is the owner & operator of Broffman Training & Consultation Services and is a regionally known trainer and consultant.  His primary expertise has been a Motivational Interviewing trainer, consultant and practitioner for over 25 yrs.  He has been involved in MI implementation projects (MI(Motivational Interviewing) training and MI coaching) in family service and healthcare agencies as well as a variety of assisted treatment homeless and housing, domestic violence, co-occurring disorders, gambling treatment programs, and day treatment/IOP.  (Intensive Out Patient)

Clock hours/Continuing Education Units: 2.0

The Intersection of Problem Gambling, Trauma and Domestic Violence

This training will explore the intersection where problem gambling and trauma meet, considering the various types of gambling and the populations that experience trauma (i.e. sexual abuse survivors, victims of domestic abuse, veterans, etc.). Evidenced based and trauma informed screening tools and treatment interventions to address both issues will be explored.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• Describe at least 3 signs/symptoms of both problem gambling and trauma reactions (across various vulnerable populations)

• Describe the connection between problem gambling and trauma and how the two problems interact with each other

• Identify at least 3 evidenced based and trauma informed treatment interventions to address both of problem gambling and trauma symptoms together

Baxter Chandler, LICSW is the Program Manager of the Adult and Child Partial Hospitalization Programs at Baystate Medical Center and teaches in the MSW program of Westfield State University. Baxter received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Andrew’s College in North Carolina and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Georgia. For 26 years he has worked with people dealing with mental health and substance use disorders in a variety of treatment settings including medical units, crisis programs, partial hospital programs, and outpatient behavioral health services. In addition to his work with co-occurring disorders, he has interests in group therapy, motivational interviewing, and suicide prevention.

For more information including if you are deaf or hard of hearing, or are a person with a disability and require an accommodation, please contact Odessa Dwarika, Director of Programs and Services @ 617-426-4554, TTY: 617-426-1855 or odessa@maccg.org.

Funded By: Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Problem Gambling Services

The Blurring Lines of Youth Gaming & Gambling: Implications for the Public Health Field

The world of what we have considered “gambling” has shifted dramatically in recent years. In this training, participants will gain an understanding of recent and emerging trends in gaming and how these trends have blurred the lines between how we have defined gaming and gambling.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• Describe at least three recent trends in youth video gaming and gambling

• Identify risk and protective factors, as well as specific youth vulnerable populations for problem “gaming” and gambling

• Describe three methods of addressing problematic gaming and gambling in their work

Julie Hynes has over 16 years of experience in addictions prevention and program coordination. Her passions include community education, leadership development, media and public policy. She regularly provides training and technical assistance on prevention and problem gambling across the United States and is a past recipient of Wuelfing Prevention Award from the National Council on Problem Gambling.

For more information including if you are deaf or hard of hearing, or are a person with a disability and require an accommodation, please contact Odessa Dwarika, Director of Programs and Services @ 617-426-4554, TTY: 617-426-1855 or odessa@maccg.org.

Funded By: Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Problem Gambling Services

Working with Families Affected by Gambling Disorder

This course will focus on helping clinicians learn how to engage and treat the entire family of problem gamblers and begin the path of recovery from this addiction. All aspects of the effects on family members will be discussed, including the financial impact on the family, the emotional ramifications, including trust, and the psychological consequences for many family members. Often, family members are left untreated with serious, painful effects from their loved ones’ gambling. While the financial impact is the most obvious, the other effects, including severe depression, trauma and an inability to function, are often present as well.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• Identify symptoms of problem gambling and be able to understand the impact this addiction may have on family members

• Interview, assess, refer, and treat members of the gamblers family members who may be affected by the gambling problems

• Provide a safe, therapeutic environment for growth and understanding of family members of problem gamblers as they work through the issues in themselves and their family

Dot Duda, M. ED LMHC has over thirty years treating substance abuse and twenty plus years treating those with a Gambling Disorder. She is the former Director of Outpatient Psychiatry and addictions at Mount Auburn hospital and is currently in private practice. Additionally, Dot is a member of the New Hampshire Council on Compulsive Gambling Board of Directors. She graduated from Cambridge College, Cambridge MA with a Master’s in Education, Psychology/Counseling.

For more information including if you are deaf or hard of hearing, or are a person with a disability and require an accommodation, please contact Odessa Dwarika, Director of Programs and Services @ 617-426-4554, TTY: 617-426-1855 or odessa@maccg.org.

Funded By: Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Problem Gambling Services