Lesson 1Motivation and readiness to change: stages of change, decisional balance, ambivalence explorationThis section covers assessing motivation and readiness to change, using stages of change, decisional balance, and exploring ambivalence to give feedback, boost engagement, and plan the right intervention strength and timing.
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 section looks at assessing cognitive distortions related to gambling, like illusion of control, gambler’s fallacy, superstitions, and entitlement beliefs, and connects them to risk-taking, persisting in losses, and relapse risks.
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 section details structured risk assessment for clients with gambling disorder, covering suicidality, self-harm, impulsivity, comorbid substance use, family violence, and financial crisis, plus safety planning and referral options.
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 section examines cultural, family, and community contexts shaping gambling behaviour, including marital dynamics, parenting stress, financial roles, stigma, and religious or community beliefs, for culturally sensitive assessment.
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 section handles assessment of psychiatric comorbidity and differential diagnosis, including mood, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, personality, and impulse-control disorders, and distinguishing primary from secondary gambling symptoms.
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 section shows how to do a comprehensive clinical interview on gambling, covering onset, course, frequency, losses, triggers, chasing, and harms to finances, 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 section covers functional assessment of gambling episodes, mapping antecedents, behaviours, and consequences to spot reinforcement patterns, high-risk situations, and factors to target in personalised 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 section explains gathering and interpreting collateral info from partners, family, financial records, and digital betting data to verify patterns, measure harm, and spot concealment or fraud for case formulation.
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 section reviews key standardised screening and assessment tools for gambling and comorbidities, like SOGS, PGSI, DSM-5 checklists, NODS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and AUDIT-C, with scoring and clinical use guidance.
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 section explains assessing sleep, trauma, and stress in gambling disorder clients, including insomnia, trauma history, work stressors, and shift work, and their links to urges, relapse, 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
