Unit 3-10: Gambling Partner Betrayal Trauma & Treatment

Treatment approaches for working with clients experiencing partner betrayal trauma.

Price: $10.00

Credit

1 CE

Prerequisite

None

Classification

Elective

Recommended for

Mental Health Professionals

Class Instructor

Suzanne Koch Eckenrode

Purpose:
Many gambler partner clients are dealing with betrayal trauma. Consider this common example: a couple shares their last argument in session – she reacted in anger and then withdrew after reading a notice from the IRS saying a payment was due which she thought had already been paid. He admits to becoming defensive, feeling she over-reacted and being upset that she did not trust him.

In this workshop, we will explore similarities between gambling and sexual addiction; betrayal trauma and its effects; offer a trauma lens for treating partner clients; and discuss how current treatment terms and approaches may not apply and may actually be harmful to partner clients.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, the participant will be able to:

  • To understand three ways disordered gambling may be more like sex addiction than alcohol and drug addiction in terms of the partners’ experience.
  • To recognize three types of financial impacts on gambling partner clients.
  • Define partner betrayal trauma.
  • To understand Acute Stress and Post-Traumaic Stress Disorder as they relate to betrayal trauma.
  • Learn how to incorporate the trauma perspective into partner and couple treatment.

Unit Outline:

  • Similarities and a difference between disordered gambling and sex addiction
  • Partner betrayal trauma
  • Characteristics and examples of problem gambling partners
  • Treatment approaches for working with clients experiencing partner betrayal trauma

Class Content