Programs

• 24 hr. Helpline and Referral services - Call anytime, from anywhere. The call is toll free and absolutely confidential. One of our trained helpline personnel will assess your individual situation and make appropriate referrals. All members of our staff are trained in crisis intervention and stabilization.
• Treatment - A limited number of outpatient treatment sessions are offered at no charge for eligible clients. All of our treatment providers are specially trained and qualified in assessment and treatment of problem gamblers and their families. In addition, the council provides closed ended, 12 weeks psychoeducational support groups. These groups, geared to different populations, are facilitated by our counselors and are run periodically throughout the State. See "events" for details.
• Training - The council offers 25-30 full days of training every year for professional health care providers throughout the state. This training is provided in conjunction with the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH). CEUs are available in a variety of disciplines and the training is free.  For the 2008 DSAMH training booklet see the link below
• Prevention - The Delaware Council on Gambling Problems conducts a number of prevention activities. The goal of the prevention programs is to educate the youth and adult population within the State of Delaware about the nature of problem gambling. The council works closely with the Department of Education, University of Delaware, and other groups to develop prevention programs as well as disseminate research findings. DCGP staff gives presentations to diverse groups within the community about gambling addiction.

To register for a training, click on the link below, download the Learning Contract, complete and fax it to the DSAMH Training Office. That fax number is 302-255-4450 and the Learning Contract can be found here: Learning Contract.

In addition, you can view the DSAMH training booklet here*. *(Note: you will need Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded here: http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/

For further information on National Gambling Certification, contact the National Council for Problem Gambling at 202-547- 9204 or visit their website at http://www.ncpgambling.org/. At that site, follow the link to Counselors and NCPG criteria. You will also find other sources of information on the National Council's website.

Training Schedule

All Classes Meet from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Agency Code A1

Course Descriptions

Problem Gambling Treatment for Beginners I:
History, Theory, and Identification

Lisa Pertzoff, NCGC II, NCADC & Susan Edgar, Ph.D.

This workshop will present the fundamentals of problem gambling as well as the history, development, and current status of the gambling field. Participants will learn signs, symptoms, and stages of the progression of problem gambling. Focus will be on the identification, assessment, and initial stabilization of the problem gambler. Dual diagnosis in problem gambling will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the history of legalized gambling in the United States
• Describe the history and development of the field of pathological gambling
• Identify types of gamblers
• Describe the stages, signs and symptoms, and progression of problem gambling

Problem Gambling Treatment for Beginners II:
Screening, Assessment, and Clinical Applications

Lisa Pertzoff, NCGC II, NCADC & Susan Edgar, Ph.D.

Pre-requisite:
Problem Gambling for Beginners I: History, Theory, and Identification

This workshop will introduce screening, assessment and treatment, and clinical applications unique to treating problem gambling. Included will be standardized, gambling-specific screening instruments and their utilization.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain gambling-specific diagnostic criteria
• Describe the critical process of financial stabilization in treating problem gambling
• Apply appropriate gambling-specific clinical tools in a case study of a problem gambler

What’s Grief Got To Do With Compulsive Gambling?

Priscilla Murphy LPCMH,MEd.,NCC,BSN,RN,NCGC-1

Psychological therapies that focus on treatment for those individuals with depression/grief and addiction disorders will be informed of the predisposing conditions of grief/loss that lead to impulsive behaviors. This workshop will present an overview of grief/loss and how it contributes to compulsive gambling. This workshop is an overview of the cognitive-behavioral model of grief and addiction disorder with affect management as it pertains to recurrence-prevention in depression/grief and relapse prevention in addiction and proposed treatment modalities. It will combine an instructional component and an experiential component for the participants who have experienced a loss. At the conclusion of the workshop the participants will:

• Be able to discuss the theoretical foundation for current best practices for the treatment of grief with gambling addicted clients.
• Identify some of the predisposing conditions that many contribute to becoming addicted to gambling.
• Be able to access resources that will help to assess for grief and integrate grief counseling in their own counseling practice.
• Identify negative consequences that result from using gambling to cope with grief.

Brief Treatment for Problem Gambling

Thomas M. Baier, MHS, LPC, CAC, CCS

This 6-hour workshop introduces participants to clinical concepts associated with Brief, Solution-Oriented therapeutic techniques and their utilization with problem gambling. As a theoretical model, brief therapy approaches continue to evolve and make headway into an integrated method for dealing with a variety of compulsive disorders. It’s also a favored methodology by insurance companies for all of the obvious reasons. As a clinical model, it often requires a shift in the way we traditionally think about our client’s presenting problems toward a method that demand immediacy. Immediacy in problem-identification (even if only as a means of moving away from the problem as soon as possible); immediacy in developing readily accomplishable tasks for the client that set him/her up for immediate success. This workshop will provide you with some practical, usable tools for immediate use with problem gamblers.

At the conclusion of this workshop participants will:

• Have an ability to define the theoretical components of solution-oriented counseling
• Be able to elaborate of the significant difference between solution-oriented treatment and traditional treatment methods
• Verbally define, at minimum, three specific techniques associated with brief therapy and
• Have an understanding for the application of these methods in the treatment of problem gamblers

Crossing The Line

Hale Humphrey-Jones, Ph.D and Mel Slawik, MSW, NCGC
Bill Deely, Esq.

During the desperation phase of gambling, many pathological gamblers cross the line into illegal activities. Certain Axis I disorders, including those with an addictive predisposition may aggravate the ability to monitor reality and self control, which can lead to crossing this fine line. In addition, individuals with some personally disorders are more prone to disregarding social norms, including legal boundaries. Once involved in the justice system, these clients develop specialized treatment needs. This workshop will address certain Axis I and II disorders most likely to engage in illegal activities, and identify specific gambling related crimes. The training will then focus on clients who are facing charges related to their gambling problems as well as clients on probation. In addition, we will examine treatment options for those serving sentences that are gambling related.

Goals and Objectives:

• Describe Axis I and II disorders related to gambling related crimes
• Discuss the biochemical factors related to addiction
• List gambling related crimes and warning signs of gambling desperation
• List legal resources for those facing legal issues
• Describe the various treatment methodologies for incarcerated individuals as well as those on probation for gambling related crimes
• Discuss the mitigating factors related to criminal behaviors

The Active Ingredients of Positive Change:
Personal and Professional

Fred J. Hanna, Ph.D.

Day One
The Precursors Model of Change for Difficult Clients

This day will involve learning the Precursors Model in an applicable and practical format. Attendees will be provided with techniques for converting resistant, unwilling clients into clients who are aware of the need for change and willing to engage in counseling. Case examples provided by the attendees will be used to rate clients on the Precursors Assessment Form and then formulate treatment approaches to facilitate the psychotherapeutic change of that person.

Objectives as a result of this training attendees will be able to:

• Assess difficult clients and determine what change processes are needed.
• Formulate a treatment program to convert the unwilling client into being willing.
• Learn how to apply the Precursors Model to held difficult, resistant, unwilling clients to change.

Day Two
Exercises for Personal Growth: Personal & Professional

This training will consist of a variety of exercises that are designed to enhance awareness and personal growth. The exercises can also be used with some clients for the same purpose. Such exercises as concentration meditation, mindfulness meditation, inoculation of being, expansion of being, the pod technique and others, will be taught in a way that also improves one’s ability to maintain one’s presence and develop stable helping relationships with clients.

Objectives as a result of this training attendees will be able to:

• Be less affected by anxiety in everyday life.
• Achieve a new level of peace and serenity.
• Apply new approaches to mental and emotional problems and issues.

Day Three
Oppression Model: Cultural and Personal Liberation

This training cuts to the core of multicultural issues by examining the subject of oppression and how it affects both members of minority groups, people of color, and victims of psychological or physical abuse. Racism, sexism, and other “isms” are directly addressed in a no nonsense manner so that liberation and freedom can be the result. This seminar also includes practical exercises for approaching both clients and oneself to help them achieve liberation. This involves identifying key moments in one’s past and using a specific technique to discover the thoughts and messages that keep one psychologically in bondage.

Objectives as a result of this training attendees will be able to:

• Apply the cognitive therapy of oppression approach to clients.
• Apply the cognitive therapy of oppression with clients to help them achieve a level of liberation.
• Understand how the dynamics of psychological oppression are used to keep people in bondage and help clients with this understanding.

Forgiveness, Remorse, and Reconciliation:
Lessons Learned From The Amish

Jim Walsh, Ph.D.

In October of 2006 five Amish girls were murdered (and five other schoolgirls badly wounded) by a deranged gunman in a one-room Amish schoolhouse in nearby Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. While the nation reacted with horror the grief-stricken Amish people reached out to the family of the murderer with unconditional forgiveness and compassion. News of the Amish response to this event provoked astonishment and commentary around the world, most of which lauded the Amish people but some of which was critical.

There is a rich body of psychological literature concerning the role of forgiveness in one’s mental well-being and how forgiveness is distinct from pardon. The response of the Amish community to transgression in general and the horrors of this murder in particular will be examined as an exemplar of the psychological conceptualization of forgiveness and pardon. Current research, particularly the work of Robert D. Enright and Everett L. Worthington, that articulates a theory of forgiveness and pardon will be examined with a particular emphasis on therapeutic interventions that can help foster the process of forgiving and pardoning.

The rationale for this course is that recovery from addiction and Pathological Gambling, especially as understood from a Twelve Step perspective, is facilitated to the extent that addiction sufferers are able to experience forgiveness and pardon for themselves and for those who have transgressed against them. The healing that is fostered by compassion will be a central focus of this workshop. At the conclusion of this workshop participants will:

• Have detailed knowledge concerning what it means to forgive and to pardon, and how these two separate constructs are related;
• Understand the relationship between the compassion found in forgiveness and pardoning and subjective well being; and
• Have learned exercises intended to facilitate the motivation to seek and to extend to others forgiveness and pardon.

Confidentiality and Ethics

Susan Edgar, Ph.D.

For many treatment providers, the 42 CFR Part II confidentiality law that applies to addiction treatment is assumed to have the same restrictions and guidelines as those applicable to mental health. The fact is, 42CFR may be more restrictive and is very specific about record keeping, disclosure, consent, and release of information. In this workshop we will discuss some of the dilemmas that arise when interpreting law as well as ethical philosophy regarding dual relationships, therapeutic boundaries, gender, and cultural issues. The National Council on Problem Gambling’s ethical standards, Delaware certification/licensure regulations, and other professional organizational standards will be presented.

Learning Objective:

• List five exceptions to needing client consent prior to releasing information
• Describe issues regarding “duty to warn”
• Identify situations and behaviors that may lead to ethical violations
• Provide five examples of client identifying information

Deepening Our Understanding of Cultural Competence:
Going Beyond Political Correctness

Jim Wuelfing

One of the biggest buzzwords in schools, workplaces and programs of all kinds is cultural diversity. While most of us believe in the concept as diversity as strength, many of us find it difficult to access just how competent we really are. This workshop will begin by looking at issues of race and then broaden out to many aspects of diversity including gender, ethnicity, class, orientation, and ability. We will focus on what keeps us dealing more effectively with diversity as we move to becoming allies in becoming culturally competent as well as becoming better at helping students do the same.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

• Define culture and cultural competence
• Discuss elements of privilege and power
• List several ways that privilege and power impact service delivery
• Access individual knowledge and skills necessary for competent work regarding culture
• Access agency preparedness for cultural competence
• Create an action plan for personal and agency improvements

Motivational Enhancement Therapy:
Helping People to Choose Change

Jim Walsh, Ph.D.

Motivational Interviewing originally was introduced in 1991 as a model for treating addiction disorders. Since its introduction the scope of use of this model has broadened to address a wide range of mental health and diagnostic issues. Motivational Interviewing is a brief intervention that may be easily integrated into longer term counseling approaches. Values, a topic ordinarily avoided in counseling, are explicitly addressed and utilized in Motivational Interviewing. At the end of this workshop attendees will:

• Have applied knowledge in methods for addressing client ambivalence, resistance, and defensiveness;
• Have done exercises intended to enhance empathy and rapport-building skills; and
• Have addressed the role that values can play in helping people commit to change.