Office of Problem Gambling

OPG’s vision in creating the website includes providing a forum that will allow treatment providers to collaborate and promote sharing ideas, strategies and experiences to facilitate a better understanding of the issues surrounding problem gambling. Forums are now available via the "help4pg" (see below) area of the website allowing therapists to enter into a secure environment. In addition, OPG’s goal is to receive feedback from the users of this site and continue to make improvements. We want to hear from you! Please feel free to voice your opinion and provide suggestions.

Therapists

A California Problem Gambling Treatment Service Program (CPGTSP) State Authorized Provider must possess a licensed clinical degree and meet the requirements of training, no pending actions as a result of a complaint, possess malpractice insurance and follow HIPPA privacy practices. Once the provider completes the enrollment and training process they are eligible to provide treatment to problem and pathological gamblers and affected individuals throughout California on a fee-for-service reimbursement schedule.

Counselors

The California Council on Problem Gambling offers problem gambling-specific training and education to assist professionals in providing high-quality, consistent and appropriate levels of service to problem gamblers and their families. Certification provides all practitioners with a marketable credential of comparable value but different from other credentials such as degrees, etc. It is most valuable in settings where experience is highly valued since it is based upon a standard used to judge competencies gained in a work setting in addition to training. It is not certification for a particular position, or a license to practice, although it may be accepted as an essential, preferred, or alternative credential by employers, state and local officials or accreditation bodies.

The Office of Problem Gambling (OPG) in partnership with UCLA Gambling Studies Program (UGSP) is currently recruiting licensed therapists to participate in the California Problem Gambling Treatment Service Program (CPGTSP).

To become an authorized provider in the CPGTSP, therapists must attend state-funded training focusing on the treatment of problem and pathological gamblers. Training consists of four eight-hour training days, and will provide the opportunity to obtain up to 30 continuing education units (CEUs) for MFTs and LCSWs.

Components of the CPGTSP:

1. Training Phase I and II
2. Treatment Provider Network
3. Clinical Innovation Program
4. Problem Gambling Telephone Intervention

Therapists who meet the criteria below must submit the Provider/Supervisor Enrollment Application to UGSP for admittance into the training. Due to limited space, admittance into the trainings will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Possess a licensed clinical degree, current and in good standing: Doctor of Medicine MD; Doctor of Psychology PsyD; Doctor of Psychology PhD; Doctor of Osteopathy DO; Marriage and Family Therapist MFT; or Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW.
• No violations or pending actions as a result of a formal complaint to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Board of Psychology, and Medical Board of California
• Current malpractice insurance
• Have a HIPPA compliant personal computer with Internet access

CPGTSP participants will not be charged a registration fee for training. Participants will be responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses. Therapists who are in the process of acquiring one of the listed licenses may submit an application for review.

Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and therapists may be admitted into training prior to licensure, however, to seek reimbursement for services as an authorized provider, therapists must have a license.

After completion of training, a therapist who meets criteria to become an authorized provider will be eligible to receive fee-for-service reimbursement from the state.

• Provider/Supervisor Enrollment Application
  

For more information call (916)327-8611 or email opg@adp.ca.gov.

The vision for the provider segment of the Problem and Pathological Gambling Treatment site is to provide training, resource materials, and a forum. The login below to the secure Help4pg site will be available to authorized California Problem Gambling Treatment Service Program (CPGTSP) providers only.

The Help4PG secure site has been developed to establish a community in which provider will have access to information and strategies along with training opportunities. The following features are avaialble through this site:

Training:

• CPGTSP training curriculum has been developed for licensed therapists that meet eligibility criteria to become an authorized provider. Authorized providers become eligible to receive fee-for-service reimbursement from the state for treating problem and pathological problem gamblers and affected indivduals.
• The training schedule, application forms and other relevant information are currently available.
• The learning management tool will be made available for on-line training.

Resource Material:

• OPG and UCLA Gambling Studies Program and the therapist community will have the ability to obtain, update and add materials to the resource library, Wiki, and glossary.


• Gambling Terms
  OPG believes a big part of treating problem gambling is understanding terms used by a gambler. We have created a “gambling terms” listing so that you can become familiar with some of the lingo used by a gambler. You should also become familiar with the types of legalized gambling in California and, if you are able, visit a tribal casino, cardroom, and/or horse racing track. You can also click the “gambling industry” button at the top of the page to learn more about California’s unique gambling industry.


• Recommended Reading for Treatment Providers
• Recommended Movies for Treatment Providers
  In an effort to provide alternative resources to aid therapists in treating problem gamblers and their families, OPG has created the above lists of fun and interesting books and movie titles. If you have any suggestions for additions to these pages, please feel free to submit your ideas for posting.

Forum:

• The Provider Education and Resource Center site provides an interactive forum for program staff and the therapist community to enter into discussions on various topics.

Provider Education and Resource Center Login

Data Management System Login

Online Training Login