Lesson 1Motivation and readiness to change: stages of change, decisional balance, ambivalence explorationThis part looks at checking motivation and readiness to change, using stages of change, weighing decisions, and digging into mixed feelings to give feedback that fits, boost involvement, and plan the right level and timing for help.
Applying stages of change to gambling behaviorUsing decisional balance to map pros and consExploring ambivalence with motivational skillsAssessing confidence, importance, and readinessAligning interventions with change stageLesson 2Assessment of cognitive distortions and beliefs: illusion of control, gambler’s fallacy, superstitions, entitlement beliefsThis part checks gambling-related wrong thinking, like feeling in control, gambler's fallacy, superstitions, and ideas of deserving wins, and connects these to taking risks, sticking with losses, and chances of slipping back.
Screening for common gambling thinking errorsAssessing illusion of control and skill beliefsIdentifying gambler’s fallacy and near-miss biasExploring superstitions and magical thinkingEvaluating entitlement and rescue fantasiesLesson 3Risk assessment: suicidality, impulsivity, comorbid substance use, family violence, financial crisisThis part details checking risks for folks with gambling disorder, covering suicide thoughts, self-harm, rash actions, other substance use, family fights, and money troubles, plus safety plans and where to send for help.
Screening for suicidality and self-harm riskAssessing impulsivity and disinhibition factorsEvaluating substance use and intoxication riskIdentifying family violence and safeguarding needsAssessing financial crisis and urgent supportsLesson 4Cultural and family context: marital dynamics, parenting stressors, financial roles, religious or community beliefs about gamblingThis part looks at cultural, family, and community ways that shape gambling, like marriage issues, parenting stress, money roles, shame, and beliefs from religion or community, to make assessments that respect culture.
Mapping family structure and financial rolesAssessing marital conflict and trust erosionExploring parenting stress and caregiving strainUnderstanding cultural and religious views on gamblingAddressing stigma and community expectationsLesson 5Assessment of comorbidity and differential diagnosis: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, impulse-control disordersThis part covers checking other mental health issues and telling them apart, like mood, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, personality, and impulse issues, and sorting main from side effects linked to gambling.
Screening for mood and anxiety disordersAssessing ADHD and executive dysfunctionIdentifying bipolar spectrum presentationsEvaluating personality and impulse-control issuesDistinguishing primary from secondary symptomsLesson 6Comprehensive clinical interview: gambling history, onset, frequency, triggers, financial and legal consequencesThis part shows how to do a full clinical talk on gambling, covering start, pattern, how often, losses, triggers, chasing, and harms to money, law, work, and relationships for diagnosis and planning.
Structuring the initial diagnostic interviewExploring onset, course, and escalation of gamblingAssessing frequency, duration, and preferred activitiesEvaluating financial, legal, and occupational harmsAssessing relationship and caregiving consequencesLesson 7Functional assessment of gambling episodes: antecedents, behaviors, consequences, reinforcement patternsThis part covers checking gambling times, mapping what comes before, actions, results, to spot reward patterns, high-risk spots, and things to change in personal treatment plans.
Identifying internal and external antecedentsMapping gambling behaviors step by stepDocumenting short- and long-term consequencesAnalyzing positive and negative reinforcement cyclesUsing functional data to design interventionsLesson 8Collateral information and records: partner interview, financial statements, app/online betting logsThis part explains getting and reading extra info from partners, family, money records, and online betting data to check patterns, measure harm, and spot hiding or tricks affecting the case plan.
Planning and obtaining informed consent for collateralPartner and family interviews about gambling impactReviewing bank, credit, and debt documentationAnalyzing betting apps, online logs, and statementsReconciling self-report with objective collateral dataLesson 9Standardized screening tools and measures: SOGS, PGSI, DSM-5 criteria checklist, NODS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT-CThis part reviews main screening tools for gambling and common side issues, like SOGS, PGSI, DSM-5 lists, NODS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT-C, with tips on scoring and using in clinic.
Selecting appropriate gambling screening toolsAdministering SOGS, PGSI, and NODSUsing DSM-5 criteria checklists in practiceScreening mood and anxiety with PHQ-9 and GAD-7Assessing alcohol risk with AUDIT-CLesson 10Sleep, trauma, and stress assessment: insomnia, trauma history, occupational stressors and shift work effectsThis part shows how to check sleep, trauma, stress in gambling folks, like no sleep, past trauma, work stress, shift work, and how they mix with urges, slips, and treatment response.
Screening for insomnia and sleep disruptionExploring trauma history and PTSD symptomsAssessing occupational stress and job strainEvaluating shift work and circadian disruptionLinking stress, sleep, and gambling relapse
