Betting on Balance - Understanding and Overcoming Gambling Addiction

LIVE ONLINE WORKSHOP

Day 1: 30 April 2026 | 10.00am–1.00pm AEST

Day 2: 7 May 2026 | 10.00am–1.00pm AEST

Capability Level: Established

Gambling harm intersects with financial stress, family violence, trauma, substance use, and suicidal risk—issues social workers confront daily. Yet many practitioners still feel uncertain about how to raise the topic, conduct effective screening, or deliver evidence-based interventions once a problem is identified. Building confidence and skills in these areas aligns directly with the AASW Code of Ethics and our shared commitment to social justice and client wellbeing.

By deepening your understanding of gambling prevalence, lower-risk guidelines, and CBT-informed approaches, you’ll be better equipped to: (a) identify harm early, (b) provide stigma-free, evidence-based psychoeducation, and (c) support clients through structured behaviour change that reduces both urges and relapse risk.

Who should attend?

Whether you work in mental health, family services, corrections, or community outreach, this training will equip you with the confidence and practical tools to ask about gambling harm—and to respond effectively. Prior experience with CBT is recommended to support integration of the intervention strategies discussed.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

· Understand the latest Australian data on gambling prevalence, costs and vulnerable populations.

· Demonstrate quick, evidence-based screening and assessment tools you can embed in routine intake.

· Understand the gambling cycle using a CBT model to create powerful client psycho-education.

Event Structure:

Day 1

Introduction

Learning Session 1: Prevalence and Harm

Learning Activity 1: Interactive group discussion and breakout room

Learning Session 2: Screen and assess

Learning Activity 2: Interactive group discussion and breakout room

Learning Session 3: Map and explain

Learning Activity 3: Interactive group discussion and breakout room

Conclusion and Q&A

Day 2

Introduction

Learning Session 3: Cue Exposure

Learning Activity 3: Open discussion and Breakout room

Learning Session 4: Monitoring urge

Learning Activity 4: Open discussion and Breakout room

Learning Session 5: Relapse prevention

Learning Activity 5: Open discussion and Breakout room

Conclusion and Q&A

AASW Credential: Mental Health & FPS

This Workshop is not recorded, however, you will have access to materials and resources on AASW Online Learning for 4 weeks after the completion of the workshop.

FPS: Skills Training will be incorporated into a section of this workshop under e. (iii and iv) of Medicare schedule https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=note&q=MN.7.4&qt=noteID&criteria=MN%2E7%2E4)

Please consider the AASW CPD Policy regarding FPS when logging your FPS hours manually: