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-Traumatic 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