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Become An Alabama Certified Gambling Counselor

Policies

The Alabama Council for Compulsive Gambling has two types of workshops. Our primary workshops provide information on gambling and gambling disorder to licensed counselors and others in behavioral health fields to gain information needed to work with individuals with gambling problems.  We also provide workshops/seminars with the public to share information on responsible gambling and problem gambling. The workshops, seminars and conferences for professionals are separate from the public awareness presentations that may be a part of our outreach efforts to all stakeholders.

 

ACCG adheres to all applicable state, local and federal laws and regulations and professional ethical standards in its professional training sessions. All educational materials and information about presentations, except in-service meetings, are available to qualified participants through our website and other appropriate media. We do not discriminate based on gender, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, organizational membership, disability or other basis prohibited by law.

 

All presentation sites are inspected to assure they are appropriate for a maximum learning environment and to ascertain they meet guidelines from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accommodations for visual or hearing impaired participants are provided as needed.

 

Records for all educational sessions are kept in a locked file for a minimum of five (5) years. Electronic records and e-mail are secured through HIPAA compliant encryption. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is not shared with other persons or organizations without written consent from the participant.

 

Any complaints about any program or presenter should be sent to the Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling. Contact information is available on the Coalition Website. Complaints are investigated by the executive board. Any necessary action will be determined by the board. If a legal issue is involved appropriate authorities will be notified and consulted.

Definitions

Problem Gambling Counseling or Therapy

 

The practice of problem gambling addiction counseling/therapy shall mean rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public counseling/therapy services in settings of individual or group practice, involving the application principles and methods of the counseling profession which are associated with problem gambling.

The use of specific methods, techniques, or modalities within the practice of a Certified Gambling Addiction Counselor is restricted to therapists appropriately trained in the use of these methods, techniques, or modalities. A certified gambling addiction counselor, using this certification as a basis, may develop treatment plans but shall not attempt to diagnose, prescribe for, treat, or advise a client with reference to problems or complaints falling outside the boundaries of gambling addiction practice.

 

Alabama Certified Gambling Counselor

 

Any person who represents to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words “certified gambling counselor” or and who offers to render professional counseling services to individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, institutions, government agencies or the general public in settings of individual or group practice, implying certification and training, experience or expertise in problem gambling counseling, and who holds a current, valid certification to engage in the practice of problem gambling counseling.

 

Relevant Professional or Continued Educational Experience

 

This phrase shall mean documented training, workshops, institutes, seminars, etc., that are problem gambling and gambling addiction in content approved by ACCG or ACGA.

 

Continuing Education

 

Continuing Education is reported as contact hours. Contact hours are actual clock hours spent in approved education activities.  Breaks and meals are not considered education activities and do not qualify as contact hours.

 

 

 

Application Procedure for Alabama Certified Gambling Counselor

 

General: Applications and forms are to be obtained from, completed, and returned to the Resource Development Coordinator for the Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling Board, or his or her designate.

 

Problem Gambling Workshops - Complete 30 clock hours of specified workshops, which are approved by the Board.

 

Education: The applicant must include a copy of diploma, transcript, or current license with the application for inclusion in the hotline list. For counselors who are not state licensed, counselors must work for a non-profit organization or religious entity with a tax exempt number. Applicant must provide documentation of such affiliation. Certification to practice will end when applicant no longer works with a non-profit or religious organization or when no longer licensed.

 

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