A Primer on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder

Class Description

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an empirically-supported intervention for the treatment of gambling disorder (Nilsson et al., 2020) and one of the most commonly used interventions to treat the disorder. The purpose of this training is to provide a comprehensive overview of CBT for the treatment of gambling disorder. CBT is a broad term with several distinct interventions subsumed under its umbrella. This training focuses on CBT that conceptualizes gambling disorder as a dysfunctional pattern of behavior that represents maladaptive coping responses to the world within and around us. The CBT model presented posits that gambling is a learned behavior that can be altered via cognitive restructuring and behavioral modification and is the intervention described and utilized in several gambling disorder clinical trials (Petry et al., 2006, 2008, 2009).

The class will begin with an overview of the general CBT model, including how cultural context and social identity are incorporated within the model. Next, the presentation will review how to conduct a functional analysis leading to a case conceptualization for gambling disorder. The presentation concludes with an outline of the seven skill building modules such as behavioral activation, coping with cravings, and gambling refusal skills tailored towards individuals with gambling disorder. Attendees will work through several gambling-related case studies to familiarize themselves with the ideas and skills presented.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Define the core conceptual CBT model, including how to incorporate a client’s cultural context and social identity into treatment, as evidenced by case discussions or scenario-based exercises.
• Describe three variables used in the Petry, et al study (Petry et al., 2006) which support evidence that using a CBT model for gambling disorder is effective.
• Explain the purpose of functional analysis and identify three antecedents, one behavior, and three consequences during a practical case scenario or worksheet exercise.
• Identify and practice three common skills (e.g., behavioral activation, stimulus control, coping strategies) that clients can use to address triggers, reduce gambling urges, and prevent relapses through role-playing or interactive group activities.

Educational Goals

• To provide an overview on how we define Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, including adapting/tailoring for different aspects of a client’s identity.
• To describe how we conceptualize the development and maintenance of gambling disorder from a CBT perspective
• To briefly familiarize attendees with the scientific evidence base that supports the use of CBT for the treatment of gambling disorder
• To review module by module the material CBT for gambling disorder covers to facilitate change within clients surrounding their gambling behavior and associated problems

Outline

• Define Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (15 minutes)
• Understanding of Gambling Disorder from a CBT Perspective (20 minutes)
• Empirical Evidence of CBT for Gambling Disorder (10 minutes)
• Review of CBT Session Modules (75 minutes)