Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday Workshop/Keynote Descriptions
Ethics, Boundaries and Much More
Daniel W. Bishop, PSY.D., LPC, LC, LICS, Concordia University, Chicago, IL
Providing counseling and therapy can be a slippery slope that we often find ourselves slipping into related to ethics and legal areas. The slippery slope is more common than many therapists wish to believe just because of the therapeutic environment. Recognizing when we are potentially getting close to a boundary crossing or boundary violation, what we need to do when we are there and how to utilize ethical decision-making models to deal will be covered in this interactive workshop.
Drum Circles: An Alternative and Holistic Approach to Treatment
Jim Harrison, BS, MS, CSAC, LPC, ICGC-II, BACC, Dousman, WI
The drum is probably one of the first musical instruments used by humans. Drumming has been used as a method of communication, worship and spiritual ceremonies, entertainment, and just pure enjoyment and recreation. It has also been used as a form of stress and anxiety relief.
Drumming can also be used as a form of therapy. It creates a sense of connectedness with self and others; helps us to experience being in resonance with the natural rhythms of life; provides a secular approach to accessing a higher power; releases negative feelings, blockages, and emotional trauma; places one in the present moment; and provides a medium for individual self-realization.
This 4-hour workshop will be presented in 2 sections. The first half will discuss the various types of drum circles, how to set up and facilitate a drum circle, the benefits of drumming, instruments used, techniques, and rhythms. The second half will allow all members to participate in a drum circle, as drummers and/or facilitators. Instruments will be provided; however, participants may bring their own drums or “toys” if they so desire. It should be noted that no prior musical experience is necessary and all ability levels are welcome. This activity is devised to provide and emphasize fun, self-expression, stress reduction, social interaction, and community building; exercise for mind, body, and spirit; camaraderie and support, along with developing key musical skills, such as rhythmicity, improvisation, and ensemble playing.
Navigating the Future with Clinical Supervision
Andrew J Schreier, LPC, ICS, CSAC, ICGC-II, New Life Resources, Inc. and Community Medical Services, Menomonee Falls, WI
The pandemic, political tension, racial issues, environmental concerns, and advancements in technology has created changes within the helping profession. Counseling and treatment services over the years have been faced with challenges as people they were helping, as well as themselves, have been dealing with both nationwide and global issues. We continue to journey through with several uncertainties and not knowing what was going to happen next. As helping professionals, we were tasked with helping people navigate through these unknowns for our clients as well as people we are supervising. Clinical Supervision is a cornerstone component that helps build the foundation for someone working in the helping profession. Supervision is filled with components that are needed to ensure best practice, ethical standards, ongoing development, and feedback. On the other hand, supervision can hold space for a professional who wants to see growth in their development in a career of helping people. Learn how clinical supervision is necessary for how we navigate the challenges and opportunities. This pre-conference presentation will focus on understanding the difficulties and challenges when providing supervision during times of unknowns and providing tools and resources for helping professionals manage uncertainties.
Trauma, Grief, and Forgiveness: The Path to Healing (KEYNOTE)
Scott Webb, MSE, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, WI
Even before the COVID pandemic, trauma was widely prevalent in our society. The collective trauma we all experienced as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the issue. Moreover, trauma has negatively affected organizations taxing already stressed systems of care and employee wellness. This presentation will examine the many types of trauma and its prevalence in society. We will discuss how grief and the grieving process are a part of experiencing trauma. Finally, we will explore forgiveness as an option and how having forgiveness for yourself and others can be one path to healing and living a fuller life. Never before has this topic been more relevant and needed to serve each other and those depending on us for help.
Recent Advances in Adolescent Risk Taking and Behavioral Addictions (KEYNOTE)
Ken C. Winters, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, Oregon Research Institute (MN location), Falcon Heights, MN
This presentation will focus on recent research pertaining to adolescence and risk for behavioral addictions, including problem gambling. The role of risk taking, brain development, perceived harms, expectancies, family factors, and social and legal trends will be included. How this information can be leveraged by prevention and treatment providers will be a major focus.
Understanding Gambling-Motivated Crime (KEYNOTE)
Michelle Malkin, JD, Ph.D., East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Michelle L. Malkin, JD, Ph.D. explores criminal consequences for people who have a history of problem gambling, including how commission of a gambling-motivated crime is connected to the social and economic consequences of Gambling Disorder. Findings allow for fuller understanding of the different ways compulsive gamblers have been involved in the legal and criminal justice system, primarily for acquisitional crimes to support gambling and/or to pay off gambling related debts. Dr. Malkin includes details of her lived experiences, as well. The presentation includes suggestions for counselors and others who have clients who may have been involved in gambling-motivated crimes.
The Latest Trends in Sports Betting, Problem Gambling, and What the Future Holds (KEYNOTE)
Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Founder and CEO, Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC, Fairfax, Virginia
This interactive session will be an analysis of what has happened in the past five years across the United States since the overturning of PASPA. It’s not that we’ve only seen an explosion of legalized sports wagering during this time but we are beginning to better understand the implications this legalization is having on problem gambling. We’ll discuss the primary ways that US gambling stakeholders have set up a risky and fractured foundation that in numerous ways is replicating mistakes of other (more mature) markets. The presenter will cover a variety of approaches that have been (and not been taken but should be) by legislators, regulators, health officials, and private stakeholders to create a safer gambling market. The presentation will end highlighting some of the biggest takeaways and lessons learned from legalized sports wagering since 2018 and concluding with a call to action for all problem gambling advocates.
Best Practices in Problem Gambling Prevention Policy
Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Founder and CEO, Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC, Fairfax, Virginia
With the massive expansion of legalized gambling across the United States, we are beginning to see a renewed interest and commitment in expanding education and prevention programs. Mobile and online gambling brings with it a whole new vulnerable demographic to educate and protect. This interactive session will examine the varying approaches taken by policymakers and prevention experts to address this new wave of gambling expansion. The presenter will highlight some of the leading and most creative prevention campaigns being delivered to date. The presentation will conclude with a discussion around gaps within the prevention field and opportunities that exist within our communities.
Helping People With Gambling Disorders Relieve Suffering through Compassion & Spirituality
Michael Goldman, MA, CRADC, PCGC, CEAP, LPC, Glenview, IL
This workshop will explore how people with gambling disorder suffer either prior to or on an account of their addiction. This workshop focuses on the various elements of compassion, happiness, and spirituality. It is helpful for those especially who struggle with traditional spirituality and 12-step concepts.
Technology or Gambling – Which is Which? A Social Worker’s Perspective
Doug LaBelle, LCSW, ICGC-II, CEAP, Kenosha, WI
Gambling and Technology have been converging for several years. Identifying and distinguishing between these often connected yet also separate issues can be both difficult and critical for all mental health professionals and their clients. Technology offers gambling mechanics in video games. Ever heard of crypto crash betting, play to earn gaming, or metaverse gambling? What about blockchain casinos or social casinos or crypto addiction? NFT betting or NFT gambling or NFT use for lotteries and other gambling related activities? Let’s discuss how technology and gambling are changing our clinical world.
LGBTQ+ & Gambling Disorder: A Cultural Competency Primer
Michelle Malkin, JD, PhD, Greenville, NC
It is generally known that the LGBTQ+ community face addiction at higher rates than the general population. This workshop will provide participants with a richer understanding of LGBTQ+ individuals (including basic knowledge of identities and terms), empirical research to understand the prevalence of LGBTQ+ gambling and problem gambling, and how to use LGBTQ+ cultural competency tools to best work with LGBTQ+ clients and their families around these issues.
Cognitive Therapy and Harm Reduction Should be Used to Assist Individuals Experiencing Gambling Problems: The Debate
Peter Moran, LPC, Green Bay, WI and James Williams, MSW, Madison, WI
This presentation will use a debate format to address the above topic. The audience will be given a pre-debate survey to obtain baseline on whether or not they support the supposition. A post-debate survey will be given to determine the effectiveness of debate as a presentation approach.
Mr. Williams will support the supposition and Mr. Moran will oppose it. Input from the audience will be used to support both positions.
Adjusting & Grounding in the Changing Landscape of Gambling
Andrew Schreier, MA, LPC, ICGC-II, CSAC, ICS, New Life Resources, Inc. and Community Medical Services, Menomonee Falls, WI
Gambling has been in our existence for a substantial amount of time (dating back before written history). Over the years, gambling has gone through several changes, updates, and advancements in society. Lately, the wave of change with gambling can be described as rapid expansion. Gambling has changed dramatically over the years. When we talk about gambling, it’s not just the traditional casino or playing poker with a group of friends. Advancements in technology, expansion of sports betting, gambling-like features in other activities, and the impact of COVID-19 has created a wave of ongoing changes gambling experiences rapid time.
As we look at how these changes impact those who have a problem with gambling or gambling use disorder, we have to consider how professionals are doing adjusting to what is happening. Helping professionals can face several challenges as they attempt to understand the changes that are constantly happening. Learn about some of the challenges we face along with some of the “traps” professionals may fall into when not having the right set of tools to adjust.
Despite the ongoing changes and challenges that occur with gambling, there are ways professionals can remain grounded in the work they do with those impacted by gambling. Learn ways to stay grounded as the landscape has changed, is changing, and will continue to change in the future.
Place Your Bets – A Human Resource Thinking Challenge
James Schreier, Ph.D., SPHR, Beyond the Far Cliffs, West Allis, WI
Workplace gambling has been a challenge for decades, from office pools to raffles, they’ve always posed problems for managers and human resource professionals. Surveys have identified workplace gambling affecting productivity, morale, absenteeism, theft, and fraud. The COVID-19 pandemic and an explosion of online sports gambling opportunities have accelerated concerns about these issues and significant new challenges for both individual managers and human resource policy decisions.
In this highly experiential session, participants will face in an “in-box” challenge format a number of different workplace gambling incidents.
Psychotherapy of Problem Gambling Including Dual Diagnosis Clients
Jim Schwartz, LCSW, CSAC, Silver Spring Psychotherapy Associates, Milwaukee, WI
In this workshop we will discuss aspects of the psychotherapy of problem gambling including clients with multiple addictions and mental health issues. Case examples will be given and discussed with participants including the role of recovery with those clients.
Gearing Up to Address Sports Betting in Your Clinical Practice
Ken C. Winters, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Oregon Research Institute (MN location), Falcon Heights, MN
Given significant technological advances and the trend by many states to legalize sports betting, there is little doubt that sports wagering will continue to expand in this country. This workshop is aimed at service providers in the behavioral health treatment fields who seek clinically relevant knowledge about sports betting in the U.S., as well as practical, take-home clinical keys when addressing sports betting among clients seeking treatment for a gambling problem.
