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Problem Gambling
September 18 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm EDT
Registration deadline 9/11/2025
Trainer: Gary Mitchell
Dr. Mitchell recently earned his doctoral degree in psychology from California Southern University, presenting and defending his doctoral project “A Qualitative Study on the Application of Positive Psychology to Problem Gambling.” He is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor in the state of Vermont, a NAADAC master addiction counselor, as well as an internationally certified problem gambling counselor.
After working over 20 years as an insurance claims adjuster he began his career counseling in 2007 working for long term residential programs (6 to 18 months) in Connecticut. These programs focused on working with individuals struggling with co-occurring and addictive diagnosis. This helped him learn to develop strong therapeutic relationships with clients and to gain a deep understanding of the nature of addiction and co-occurring disorders. During this period, Dr. Mitchell also worked with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to assist in the development of the ‘DiGin’ program which was led by Dr. Lori Ruggle. The project integrated substance abuse, mental health, and gambling programs throughout the state.
In 2012 Dr. Mitchell moved to Vermont taking a position as an outpatient clinician for a designated agency, eventually being promoted to director of the adult outpatient department. In 2016 he opened a part time private practice in Morrisville and Hardwick, Vermont, eventually leaving the designated agency in 2021 to dedicate his full attention to private practice.
Dr. Mitchell has previously presented continuing education seminars on problem gambling, has been a guest lecture at Springfield College in their Masters of Mental Health program as well as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Vermont teaching an introduction to addiction course. He has been a guest on Vermont Public Radio and has been a contributing expert for various Vermont media sources. Dr. Mitchell is also an advisor to the director of the Vermont Office of Professional Regulations and was a contributor to updating the emergency rules of practice for the Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselors in 2016-2017.
Description:
While attention is now being given in Vermont to screening, identifying, and treating individuals that are struggling with problem gambling, little attention has been given to their families. This presentation will look at how to identify the family members that have been effected by problem gambling as well as exploring how to rebuild those individual’s self-confidence and self-image.
Agenda:
Morning: 9:00 am – Noon
Welcome
Review and develop common language regarding gambling.
o Who gambles? (Exercise)
o The nature of gambling-what is it?
Break 10:30 – 10:45 am.
A little discussion of the neurobiology of problem gambling
o Similarities and differences of brain mechanisms between a problem gambling and substance use disorders.
o Cognitive distortion/Gamblers Illusion
o Why does this matter?
Lunch: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Afternoon: 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Identifying family member effected by problem gambling: How do I help them identify if they are living with a problem gambler? (Exercise)
What is the nature of the illusion for the family of a problem gambler?
o The effect on the spouse.
o The effect on the children.
Break 2:30 – 2:45pm.
Identify how to help the family members find themselves. (Group Exercise)
o Strengths
o Self-Image
o Trust in Self
Identify how to improve the family members wellbeing.
o Re-defining Purpose
o Identifying Passions
o Finding Happiness
Adjourn: 4:30 pm
Learning Objectives:
- Understand and define the scope of gambling.
- Gain a better understanding of the effects of problem gambling on the families of the
problem gambler. - Learn how to recognize and identify individuals that have been effected, unknowing by
problem gambling of a family member. - Learn to help this individuals recovery from the trauma of problem gambling, finding
themselves and strengthening their wellbeing.