Problem gambling treatment
A comprehensive online treatment, complete with its own screening tool, self-study modules, a forum for peer support and therapist access with full insights in client progression and evaluation.
The average time spent by clients each week.
Are no longer considered problem gamblers according to the PGSI after completed treatment.
The average time spent by therapists per client per week.
About
The treatment program has been designed by researchers, psychologists and psychotherapists with extensive experience in the field of gambling addiction. The content is evidence-based and the treatment uses methods such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and CBT.
The eight modules that make up the program are:
About gambling problems and your reasons for gambling
Personal finances and triggers
Social implications
Acceptance and determination
Chance and erroneous thoughts
Economy
Risks
Relapsing, help and support
Benefits
Get all the advantages of digital care without compromising on quality of care or the contact between client and therapist.
It’s effective
9 out of 10 clients are no longer classified as problem gamblers according to PGSI after completed treatment.
Resource-effective
The digital format allows therapists to double the amount of clients in treatment.
Increased engagement
High level of autonomy motivates the client to complete the treatment, allowing you to focus on the core issues during therapy sessions.
Research compatible
Well-structured digital data suitable for research.
Lowering thresholds
Reach clients in time with better and faster access to care, higher level of anonymity and the possibility for the client to receive treatment from the comfort of their own daily routines.
Ongoing support
The online format allows people to carry their treatment and support network in their pocket. After having completed the treatment, clients can revisit the program; go back and read, watch videos and take advantage of the peer-support forum.
The treatment steps
Digital screening
The treatment process begins with a digital screening to evaluate the client's suitability and readiness to initiate treatment. The screening contains various assessment tools to ensure a thorough selection of suitable clients and to identify any pre-existing conditions that might affect the treatment.
Access to the programme
Once a client has been accepted, they gain access to the first module of the program. Each module consists of a number of sections, each targeting certain aspects of the overall theme of the module.
At the end of each module the client is given a weekly assignment. The weekly assignment is based around self-reflection, and the replies are shared in the forum for peer support, where clients are invited to comment on each others’ entries.
The forum can also be used in between weekly assignments, as a way of connecting with others with the same problems, struggles and questions.
Digital CBT and therapist call
Upon completing a module, the progress is tracked and commented on by a therapist.
The therapist schedules a meeting with the client – by phone or in person – to talk through the client’s responses and work on any issues identified.
Then, the client is given access to the next module.
Evaluation
Upon completing treatment, and additionally at 3, 6 and 12 months afterwards, clients will be asked to participate in a follow up survey.
The follow up surveys allow the treatment provider to measure the effectiveness of the treatment, while at the same time giving the client the opportunity to assess how things are going, and whether they are satisfied with the progress they have made.
What’s included
Everything you need to provide location-independent and effective treatment for problem gambling to any market. This is included:
Content
Screening, 8 treatment modules targeting different aspects of problem gambling, gambling diary and follow-ups at 3, 6 and 12 months.
Platform
Messaging function, peer support forum and notification system. Easily accessible from any device during and after treatment.
Technical support
Technical support available Monday through Friday 9-17 on normal working days.
Administration
Assign multiple roles, create labels, edit content, manage clients, follow client progress, send private messages and extract reports.
Staff training
Therapists are offered training in using and working with the program.
Language
Available in English (UK) and Swedish. Additional languages at cost.
Branding
The platform can be branded to align with your graphic profile.
Client security
All personal data is encrypted and securely stored within the GDPR-compliant software, which has undergone independent external review and received approval.
Research
The online treatment program has been verified in large research studies with longitudinal follow-ups. It is currently used by the Finnish gambling problem advice and treatment service Peluuri, French gambling treatment provider Arpej and SOS Joueurs and by GamCare who is part of the National Gambling Treatment Service operating in England, Scotland and Wales.
There are three scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals on our online treatment program. The first study compared it with a control condition (N=66) (Carlbring & Smit, 2008). The treatment group improved regarding gambling problems, anxiety, depression and quality of life significantly more than the controls, showing clinically meaningful changes, for example mean NODS score 8,2 pre treatment and 1,97 post treatment for the treatment group (cut-off for pathological gambling=5). The results were sustained even at 36 months follow-up, where three quarters showed a clinically moderate or large improvement. This study excluded depressed problem gamblers, which limited the possibility to generalize the results.
The same treatment but without excluding depressed patients was evaluated using a non-comparative, single group study (N=284) (Carlbring et al, 2012). The results from the first study was replicated and were sustainable over 36 months.
The treatment program has also been evaluated in Finland (Castrén et al, 2013). From September 2007 to May 2011 a total of 471 participants (325 males and 146 females) signed up for an 8-week Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (our online treatment program) offered for problem gamblers in Finland. Two hundred and twenty four participants completed the treatment and after the treatment period significant changes were found in the following variables: gambling related problems (NODS), gambling urge, impaired control of gambling, alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C), social consequences, gambling-related cognitive erroneous thoughts and depression (MADRS).
References
Carlbring, P. & Smit, F. (2008). Randomized trial of Internet- delivered self-help with telephone support for pathological gamblers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 6, 1090–1094.
Carlbring, P., Degerman, N., Jonsson, J. & Andersson, G. (2012). Internet-based treatment of pathological gambling with a three-year follow-up. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 41, 1–14.
Castren, S., Pankakoski, M., Tamminen, M. Lipsanen, J., Ladouceur, R., Lahti, T. (2013) Internet-based CBT intervention for gamblers in Finland: Experiences from the field. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 54(3) Pages: 230-235 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12034.
Case studies
Learn more about the practical implementations of our online treatment programs, related reports and research.
