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In This Issue:

Notes from Wiley
14th Annual Conference on Problem Gambling
Basic Training (April-July)

Notes from Wiley

resilience
1) the capacity to recover from difficulties
2) the ability to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad happened

The past year is unprecedented in so many ways. All of us, including our clients, have experienced stressful and/or the ongoing mental health issues that were already present. However, the past year has added a level of severity to most disorders, situations, and stressors.

As mental health providers I encourage you to believe in resiliency and practice positive steps that help support sustainability and future efforts. Compassion for others and self-compassion are two qualities and practices that will support our ability to be present and to help others. We are all separately but together in this work.

For 15 years, the first Friday in March has been the Oklahoma Problem Gambling conference. This year we will not meet in person but will have a weekly presentation. Each Friday in March will feature a 1.5 hour presentation on problem gambling with CEU credit. Please see the information and registration link in this newsletter.

There will also be a basic training for this spring and it will also be a virtual presentation. This training is 30 hours in length, so it takes a commitment of time and money. Please see the registration link in this newsletter.

Wiley D. Harwell
Executive Director of OAPCG

Upcoming Events

14th Annual Conference on Problem Gambling

OAPCG’s annual conference on problem gambling will feature four nationally recognized speakers over four days in March. All sessions will take place from 10:00 to 11:30 am CT.

March 5: “Relationships and Gambling Disorder: The Gentle and Firm Hands of Compassion,” with Loreen Rugle (PhD, ICGC-II, BACC)
March 12: “Addressing Health Disparities and Building Equity: Revolutionizing a Path Forward,” with Victor Ortiz (MSW, LADC-I, CADC-II)
March 19: “Tune In or Out of Tune?! Culturally Attuned Gambling Disorders Treatment, Prevention, and Wellness,” with Deborah Haskins (PhD, ICGC-II, BACC)
March 26: “Using Telehealth with Gambling Disorder Clients,” with Jodi Bechtold (LCSW, ICGC-II, BACC)

30-Hour Basic Training

OAPCG will host an online, live basic training for counselors seeking certification for problem gambling on April 2, May 7, June 4, and July 9. Participants who complete the training will receive 30 hours of CEUs.

Consultation Calls

OAPCG offers consultation calls every third Tuesday of the month at 2:00 pm for counselors to get help with difficult cases and build knowledge for certification. Call 405-801-3329 to get instructions for connecting. Wiley looks forward to hearing you on the call!

OAPCG Outreach

In December, Wiley gave an online presentation titled “Loving the Gambler in Your Pew,” which provided an introduction to problem gambling and how those within the religious community can be supportive of those struggling with a gambling problem.

Throughout the month of December, OAPCG participated in NCPG’s holiday lottery campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of underage gambling, especially during the holiday season.

OAPCG completed its second live online 30-hour basic training for problem gambling from September to December.