Course curriculum

  • 1

    International Gambling Recovery Specialist (IGRS) 30-hr Course

    • Welcome to the IGRS 30-hr Course!

    • Introduction

    • Meet our Instructors

    • Have Questions? Comments?

    • Tips for an Online Self-Paced Course

    • Please Download and Refer to the "Guide to Core Competencies for Gambling Recovery Peers"

    • Additional handouts
  • 2

    Solid Ground: Understanding Gambling Disorder

    • Types of Gambling & Gambling Activities

    • Local & National Gambling Resources

    • Legal Ages for Gambling & Associated Regulations

    • Availability of Gambling Treatment Systems

    • Assignment: What are the gambling treatment systems in your area?

    • "Raising the Stakes"

    • Understanding Gambling Disorder - Reflection
  • 3

    Learning: The Science of Gambling

    • How an Addicted Brain Works

    • Understanding the Psychology of Gambling Disorders

    • Understanding Medication

    • Can a Drug be Responsible for Compulsive Gambling?

    • Lane County Public Health-Understanding Problem Gambling & The Brain

    • How the Brain Changes with Gambling

    • Brain Connections

    • How Anticipation Primes the Brain for Problem Gambling | Carolyn Hawley

    • Spectrum of Gambling Behaviors

    • Gambling and Suicide: An Indepth understanding

    • Gambling & Loneliness

    • Defining Gambling Recovery and Its Unique Challenges

    • Unique Challenges: Client Case Vignette

    • Stages of Change and Gambling Recovery

    • "It's Not About the Nail"

    • Ambivalence: Client Case Vignette

    • Principles of Relapse Prevention

    • Understanding the Intersection of Gambling and Gaming

    • Knowledge Review: Science of Gambling
  • 4

    Community: Considerations for Cultural, Sociodemographic and Diversity

    • Problem Gambling in Diverse Populations/Groups

    • Teens and Gambling

    • Teens and Gambling

    • Addressing the Cultural Components of Gambling within Diverse Communities

    • Older Adults and Problem Gambling

    • Men vs Women and Problem Gambling

    • Assignment: Gender and Age

    • How Gambling Impacts Communities

    • The Legal and Social Implications of Gambling

    • Sandra Adell - The Author (Optional)

    • Unique Needs of Different Populations/Groups

    • Assignment: Reflection

    • Multiple Pathways of Recovery and Various Recovery Systems

    • Diverse Recovery Goals

    • Reflection on Harm Reduction

    • Awareness of the Importance of Family Relationships

    • Knowledge Review: Culture, Sociodemographic, and Diversity Considerations
  • 5

    Communication: Recovery Specialist Support Skills

    • Understanding Prevention

    • Defining Roles and Functions of Peer Recovery Professionals

    • Developing Active Listening and Empathetic Communication Skills

    • The Power of Inquiry: Understanding Open-Ended and Helpful Question skills

    • Mastering the Art of Asking Open-ended, Helpful Questions

    • Learning to Share Personal Recovery Experiences Effectively

    • Practice Sharing Your Story

    • Recovery Language

    • Effective Communication Using Various Modalities

    • Skills for Effective Peer Recovery Relationships

    • Knowledge Review: Skills for Effective Peers Recovery Relationships

    • Fostering Supportive Relationships and Trust

    • Knowledge Review: Fostering Supportive Relationships

    • Practical Communication Skills and Approaches

    • Assignment: Navigating Conflict in Recovery

    • Knowledge Review: Recovery Specialist Support Skills
  • 6

    Crisis Management

    • Crisis Management

    • Knowledge Review: Crisis Management
  • 7

    Giving Back: Advocacy Skills for Recovery Specialists

    • Introduction to Advocacy

    • Advocacy Skills

    • What Does the Research Say about Peer Support?

    • 3 Journal Articles about Peer Support

    • Examples of Advocacy as a Peer

    • What Advocacy Will You or Have You Already Been Involved In?
  • 8

    Empower: Skills for Recovery Specialists

    • Diverse Approaches to Gambling Recovery: Pathways, Tools and Support

    • Controlled Gambling

    • Reflection: Controlled Gambling

    • Case Studies and Practical Application

    • Knowledge Review: Empowerment Skills
  • 9

    Path Forward: Advanced Topics

    • Financial Literacy - Understanding Budgets, Restitution, Protection, and Services

    • Family Dynamics and Gambling Disorder

    • Family Dynamics: 2 Cases

    • Gambling as a Co-Occurring Disorder

    • Motivational Interviewing Techniques

    • Optional: Using MI techniques (Role Playing)

    • Assignment: Putting Motivational Interviewing techniques into practice

    • Knowledge Review: Motivational Interviewing

    • Stress Management: Health and Wellness Strategies

    • Relapse Prevention Strategies
  • 10

    Trauma-Informed Care: Peer Recovery

    • 6 Principles of Trauma-Informed Care

    • Understanding Trauma in Peer Support

    • Trauma-Informed Care - TedxTalk

    • Trauma, Gender, and Gambling Training

    • Reflection Assignment
  • 11

    Recovery: Your Professional Role

    • Self-care and Maintaining Personal Recovery

    • Assignment: Build a Personal Recovery Maintenance Plan

    • Supervision, Consultation, Continuing Education and Professional Development

    • Ethical Practice and Professional Collaboration in Recovery Support

    • Safety and Ethical Considerations in Digital Peer Support

    • New Preferred Language
  • 12

    IPGGC Ethics

    • IGRS Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Gambling Recovery Specialists

    • 6 Examples of a Gambling Recovery Specialist Following the Code of Ethics and Professional Code of Conduct

    • Quiz for Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct
  • 13

    What's Next

    • How to Become Certified as an IGRS?

    • CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Unlock your potential to empower others by becoming an International Gambling Recovery Specialist!

This vital 30-hr training program, specifically designed for those with lived experience in gambling recovery, provides you with the crucial training to effectively offer peer support services. Learn to leverage your personal journey, build meaningful connections, and guide individuals through the complexities of gambling recovery, providing compassionate, informed, and empowering support as a certified IGRS.

  • This training is for those with lived experience or affected others with gambling disorders who want to become certified as an IPGGC International Gambling Recovery Specialist (IGRS) to provide peer support.

  • This is intended for those with lived experience, focusing on peer support, not clinical training.

  • This 30-hour training is IPGGC-approved for the IGRS Certification.

Instructors

LCSW, ICGC-II, BACC

Jody Bechtold

Jody Bechtold, LCSW, ICGC-II, BACC, is a highly regarded gambling addiction expert working with individuals, organizations, and businesses worldwide. She is the CEO of The Better Institute, a group practice in Pittsburgh, PA. She is the co-author of "The Gambling Disorder Treatment Handbook: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals" (2021) and two chapters in "The Social Workers Desk Reference" (4th edition, 2022) on gambling and gaming disorders. Her next book is slated for publication in August 2027. Jody serves as an advisor to various organizations, including GamFin, UpSide, and Seagulls Flock Organization in the Philippines. She currently provides supervision to professionals in PA, NJ, IL, NC, CO, and NC. She is the President of the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (IPGGC) formerly known as IGCCB. Jody holds an MSW from the University of Pittsburgh and several certifications from the IPGGC (ICGC-II, IGDC, BACC, CGT). In her free time, Jody enjoys providing pet therapy with her dog, Hanna, and supporting her husband's business, Pittsburgh Guitars.

Christina Cook

Christina Cook is the Founder/Host of The Broke Girl Society Podcast where she uses her personal journey of resilience and transformation to advocate and amplify the voices of women in the disordered gambling community. Through her work with various committees, boards, advocacy projects, and her work with the BGS, it’s her hope that anyone impacted by gambling harm finds the hope and healing recovery offers.

RSS, ICGC II, BARA

Stephen Matos

Stephen Matos is a person in long-term recovery of over 38 years from gambling, alcohol, and a person affected by problem gambling. After retiring from the State of CT DOT as an operations manager in 2012, Stephen began working for Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program and is currently with MCCA’s Bettor Choice Program as a Peer Counselor and Recovery Support Specialist for over 8 years. Stephen facilitates recovery groups, family support groups, along with seeing clients individually, focusing on supporting those with gambling disorders and their family members along the road of recovery. Stephen works closely with the Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services Problem Gambling Services, Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling and the local prevention councils in the facilitation of trainings, helpline, prevention, awareness activities and manages State of CT gambling recovery support grant providing recovery opportunities for persons in recovery from problem gambling and persons affected by it. He has presented on peer support-related issues at the 2015 National Conference on Problem Gambling, CCAR’s Pathways to Recovery Conference in 2016, and more recently at the NCPG digital symposium on family support in gambling treatment. Stephen was honored with the CT Council on Problem Gambling’s Recovery Award in 2015 and received the NCPG 2024 Jeffery M. Beck Recovery Ambassador Award. Stephen is a graduate of Advocacy Unlimited Recovery University, certified as a Recovery Support Specialist, and has completed CCAR’s Recovery Coach Academy and is an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC-II), International Gambling Recovery Specialist (IGRS), and a Board Certified Recovery Advisor(BARA).

Get Started Now

This 30-hour program satisfies the training requirement for the IPGGC International Gambling Recovery Specialist (IGRS) Certification.

Learn More About IGRS Certification from the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization

The IGRS certification aims to increase the number of peers to help meet the need for support in disordered gambling recovery.

IGRS Certification Information from IPGGC