NERC AGM & Workshop: An Introduction to Gambling Disorder

Presenter Bio:

Ruth is an accredited counsellor/Psychotherapist with IACP and ACI and a recently accredited supervisor with both bodies. She has over 10yrs experience working with individuals suffering from the effects of addiction and their families, both in residential care on a programme of recovery, and also in private practice. In 2012 after an attendance at a work shop on gambling disorders, her interest in the field was heighted.

In 2015 she was accepted on the 2yr master’s programme of study at IICP Kilinarden Tallagh, in Pluralistic Practice and Counselling Research, which she completed in 2017. Her thesis topic was an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of the Lived Experience of the Gambler. Prior to conducting primary research, she undertook a systematic literature review of a number of research papers on the lived experience of compulsive gamblers. Subsequently, she conducted a number of face to face interviews with compulsive gamblers who were 2 years + in recovery. These were recorded and transcribed, and themes extrapolated via thematic analysis. This experience allowed for deep insight into their worlds. Adopting a pluralistic and holistic approach to treatment, she was particularly interested in what happened to them on the road to finding themselves in treatment for gambling disorder, as opposed to “what was wrong with them”.

During that time, she also conducted an in-depth case study via working in collaboration with an individual in treatment for compulsive gambling throughout their programme of recovery. Adopting a pluralistic approach to their treatment and recovery, the treatment was adapted to meet the individual needs of the client. Her rationale was in seeking to ascertain what helped and what hindered the recovery process for individuals with gambling disorders from the clients perspective.

Workshop Outline:

An Introduction to Gambling Disorder including a demonstration of a pluralistic approach to the treatment of compulsive gambling. Presentation will allow participants to have a greater understanding of individuals who present with gambling disorders and be better able to recognise the signs and symptoms of gambling disorder. To have greater awareness that gambling disorders are highly insidious and also comorbid with other mental health and substance use disorders and that this can have detrimental consequences not only for the individual but for families, close friends, and colleagues and also within society as a whole. To have gained a greater insight into harm reduction and relapse prevention and what may help or hinder the recovery process as shared from the clients perspective.

CPD Certs will be emailed to participants after attendance at the Event.

The Zoom Link and Password for the event will be sent at least a day in advance of the Event.

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