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Council On Problem Gambling Certifies Treatment Professionals

"The state Council on Problem Gambling said its first-ever designations of treatment counselors and approved supervisors are intended to start building a cadre of health care professionals expert on treating problem gambling.

"'We are hoping, with the certification, to interest other people (in health care) in learning about gambling problems so they will attempt to treat folks with these problems,' said Renee Wert, the chairwoman of the council's gambling certification board. 'We think we are at the very beginning of what will be a very long process.'

"Wert, a psychologist who heads the gambling recovery program at Jewish Family Services in Buffalo, was among the 12 men and women certified as supervisors. In addition to themselves counseling problem gamblers, the supervisors get the authority to certify other counselors.

"…She believes the nature of compulsive gambling creates distinct problems for those suffering from the affliction and for the health professionals, often trained to deal with mental illnesses or substance abuse, who may treat them.

"…Health professionals have recognized an interdependence between mental health or anxiety problems, substance abuse and compulsive gambling. The basic training of counselors for all three areas is similar and, as more and more is known about gambling problems, there is more training available for those wishing to specialize on gambling addictions, Wert said.

"While drug abusers and alcoholics have been treated, with varying degrees of success, for generations, Wert said it has only been in the last 15 years or so that specialized treatment has emerged for problem gamblers…"

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