Post-Conference Workshops Program

Post-Conference Workshop Abstracts

Counseling: Transforming “Chit Chat” Into Change

Ken Martz, PsyD, ICGC-II, BACC

Counselors are often trained in theory and practice through school and continuing education. However, there can often be anxiety about what to say after “hello.” This session will examine our counselor’s role as the instrument of change, engagement, and transformation through therapy. Practicing these skills can improve our confidence, client engagement, and successful outcomes. Implications will be drawn for effective supervision to facilitate counselor growth. The session will balance a didactic review of the research basis and experiential techniques to facilitate learning through effective adult learning principles and varied learning styles.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the role of the counselor’s presence in the therapy relationship.
  • Describe the role of assessment and change in the treatment process.
Designing an Online Community for Your Responsible Gambling Program

Jacques Bromberg, PhD; Alex De Marco; Amanda Winters

In this workshop, the presenters will introduce modern online community platforms and how they can be used to solve awareness, engagement, education, customer support, and various other business and RG-related problems. GamFin.org will be introduced as a case study. Presenters will lead participants through an ideation process to identify a problem and design an online community-based solution. Participants will understand how to use modern collaborative design methods and tools to develop an online community-based solution for their organization’s Responsible Gambling program.

Learning Objectives:

  • Acquire a basic understanding of modern online community platforms for business use.
  • Identify and elaborate on needs, challenges, and opportunities related to building online communities for RG.
Engaging Indigenous Communities on Problem Gambling Through Storytelling and Music

Ted Hartwell

Engaging Indigenous communities on the subject of problem gambling can be a challenging process, particularly if one comes from a non-Indigenous background. This workshop will discuss some of the barriers to such engagement and offer suggestions for addressing some of those barriers, including the power that storytelling and music have to encourage a dialogue on this issue. Results of research surveys conducted in 11 Nevada tribal communities concerning gambling attitudes and behaviors will be shared that illuminate examples of cultural-specific areas that may be of particular interest to Indigenous communities when discussing the issue of problem gambling and its impacts.

Learning Objectives:

  • Become acquainted with specific barriers to engaging Indigenous communities on problem gambling.
  • Learn how employing storytelling and music can help overcome some of these barriers.
Gambling Prevention and Clinical Care: An Integrated Service System

Stacey Frohnapfel-Hasson

Problems with gambling don’t occur in isolation. This session will examine model programming to reach people with co-occurring issues like physical health, mental health, financial challenges, relationships, employment, and justice involvement. Part of the benefits of the Ohio model are the many opportunities to build services within other systems to prevent problem gambling and promote responsible gambling (PG/RG). This session will explore real-life intersections and how challenges have been overcome.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify opportunities to engage partner organizations in preventing problem gambling/promoting responsible gambling.
  • Explore specific examples of building PG/RG into other service systems.
Integrating Screening with Treatment Using the Updated Pathways Model

Louis Weigele, ICGC-II

*Content Warning: Stigmatizing Language

In 2002, Blaszczynski and Nower presented a conceptual framework for “understanding the multiple biological, psychological and ecological variables contributing to the development of problems related to gambling. These groups include (a) behaviorally conditioned problem gamblers, (b) emotionally vulnerable problem gamblers and (c) antisocial, impulsive problem gamblers (Blaszczynski & Nower, 2002). In 2021, the authors and Anthony conducted research on the model, resulting in a clarification of the original model. This presentation will discuss the advancement of understanding of the model in the conceptualization of problems related to gambling. The integrated use of specific screening tools to aid treatment will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the Pathways Model of Problem Gambling, including recent research.
  • Learn how to use specific screening tools in identifying probable pathways of individuals.
Outreach: You Can Help Others Avoid Gambling-Related Harm

Michael Sciandra

You are an advocate, no matter your role or title, within responsible or problem gambling! Use your knowledge, experience, and passion to be a voice of change for those who need assistance through community outreach. Many individuals are unfamiliar with the resources available to prevent or treat those impacted by a gambling problem. Through outreach, awareness, and education, more people will become aware of why education, prevention, and treatment are essential, along with where to find resources. Through the strategic use of social and traditional media and community networking, you can help others avoid gambling-related harm in your community and beyond.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the impact your voice makes in helping those who need your assistance.
  • Learn what activities can best spread your message locally and beyond.
Working Together: Maryland Collaborates on Problem Gambling Prevention Strategies

Mary Drexler; Jasmine Countess

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA), having achieved the WLA Level 4 Certification in 2022, is one of the top State lotteries in the USA. MLGCA works with State and community stakeholders in Maryland through the Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling (MARG) to coordinate and maximize resources to address problem gambling in Maryland. MLGCA has collaborated with the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling to reduce gambling harms. This workshop will provide an overview of MLGCA and MARG underage and problem gambling prevention strategies and how the Center and other community organizations are critical to strategy success.

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn strategies that the MLGCA implements to prevent underage and problem gambling.
  • Learn strategies to prevent underage and problem gambling implemented in collaboration with the Center.