Ask an Expert: Module 8

Welcome to Ask an Expert: Learning about Problem Gambling from Researchers, Clinicians, Advocates, and People with Lived Experience. In Module 8: Understanding Social Determinants of Health, you will learn from six experts on the topics of (1) family and social support integration in problem gambling treatment, (2) problem gambling within the context of poverty, and (3) problem gambling in the Latino/Hispanic population. Module 8 includes 3 videos and a 10-question quiz. These videos have been professionally captioned, and we recommend watching them with closed captions turned on.

Learners will earn 1.0 hour of continuing education (CE) credit for completing each module, which includes passing a 10-question post-module quiz.

About the Experts

Ms. Paige Shaffer, MPH, is an Instructor in Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Department of Psychiatry. Ms. Shaffer is an epidemiologist with expertise in psychiatric epidemiology, the etiology of addiction, and biostatistics. She previously worked as the assistant director of Statistics and Evaluation for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), and previously as an epidemiologist at BSAS. She conducts research and writes on topics related to epidemiology, public health, homelessness, psychiatry, trauma, interpersonal violence, co-occurring disorders, disordered gambling, and addiction. Ms. Shaffer has consulted on numerous addiction-related projects with Laval University, the University of Sydney, the World Health Organization, Harvard Medical School’s Department of Healthcare Policy, and the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance.

Dr. Ayorkor Gaba, PsyD, is a Clinical Psychologist, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Director of the Behavioral Health Equity Advancement Lab (B-HEAL). She studies behavioral health and health care, particularly within underserved populations and communities (e.g., justice-involved persons, individuals experiencing homelessness, and systemically minoritized groups). Dr. Gaba also trains clinical providers in evidence-based and culturally competent care models. Her current work utilizes community engaged research and implementation science to identify strategies to advance health equity in care delivery models for justice-involved adults. Ultimately, her research strives to reduce health disparities across a broad range of dimensions, including race and ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. She complements her research with advocacy efforts as an American Psychological Association NGO representative to the United Nations and with clinical work in private practice. Across her work, she integrates cross-cultural, social justice, systems, and human rights perspectives.

Dr. Flora Matheson, PhD, is a medical sociologist and mental health and addictions specialist at Unity Health Toronto and the University of Toronto. She investigates the social determinants of problem gambling and criminal justice involvement. Dr. Matheson’s work investigating the links between health and criminalization have highlighted important risk factors for imprisonment, such as her findings that young adults with traumatic brain injury are at increased risk of incarceration. Dr. Matheson was one of the first researchers in Canada to investigate and measure the strong relationship between problem gambling and homelessness. She and Good Shepherd Ministries co-developed and launched the first Canadian gambling-addiction program for people who are homeless.

Mr. Aklilu Wendaferew, MSW,  has been Assistant Executive Director of Good Shepherd Ministries since 2000. He provides leadership in the development and management of programs serving homeless and marginalized individuals and leads the clinical team. He has been the lead person in the inception and implementation of the Gambling Addictions Program at the Good Shepherd Ministries. Mr. Wendaferew earned his BSW from University of Western Ontario, an MSW from the University of Toronto, a Post Graduate Diploma in Ethnic and Pluralism Studies from University of Toronto, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the joint program of Maytree Foundation – York University, Schulich School of Business.

Ms. Marylin Marquez Beckley, LPP, NCC, is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor in Washington, DC. She has over nine years of experience offering counseling that focuses on healing and resiliency. Her specialty is in trauma informed care and anxiety related to political violence, immigration, community/gang violence, sexual abuse/assault, violence against women and children, human trafficking, and cybersex trafficking with the Latinx immigrant population and other minority cultures. She earned her Masters of Professional Science degree from the Honors University of Maryland, Baltimore County and she earned her Masters of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Trinity Washington University.

Dr. Deborah Haskins, PhD, LCPC, MAC, ICGC-II, is Retired Associate Professor in Counseling/Director of Counseling Programs at Trinity Washington University (DC) and Owner/Chief Clinical Consultant of MOSAIC Consulting and Counseling Services. She has advocated for gamblers and loved ones for 20 years and provides support to cultural communities, including faith/spiritual communities, in enhancing wellness in all areas.

Continuing Education (CE) credits

• American Psychological Association (APA) – The Division on Addiction is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Division on Addiction maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program offers 1.0 hour of continuing education (CE) credit.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D91244.
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) – The Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment is authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to sponsor, conduct or approve continuing education programs for alcohol and drug counselors/assistants (LADCs). This program offers 1.0 hour of continuing education (CE) credit.
• NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals – This course has been approved by the Division on Addiction, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #84058, the Division on Addiction is responsible for all aspects of the programing.
• The Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification (MBSACC) – MBSACC does not accredit online trainings but will recognize most online trainings approved by NASW.