ACORN
Advanced Career Online Resource Network
and continuing education (CE/CEU) courses for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, alcohol and drug counselors, social workers, art therapists, problem gambling treatment providers, prevention specialists, supervisors, agency administrators, educators, and other learners around the globe.
Created by expert instructors, ACORN courses are continually updated with the latest information.
Both live and asynchronous courses are offered. Live courses are conducted in real time, with instructors holding virtual meetings at specified dates and times.
Asynchronous courses are available on-demand. They are self-paced, and they include video recordings of skill demonstrations, presentations, immersive case studies, reading materials, knowledge checks, and other activities that learners may complete at their convenience.
Course webpages indicate whether a course is live or asynchronous (on-demand).
Real-time. Jan 20 - Mar 16, 2024. Provides the 30 hours required for initial certification as a Gambling Addictions Counselor I (CGAC I). Content is informed by the Problem Gambling Treatment Provider Core Competencies. Approved for 30 CE hours.
On-demand. Builds knowledge, skills, and abilities required to screen for suicide risk and to identify and access resources for referral. Approved for 3 CE hours. Free of charge, courtesy of Oregon Health Authority.
Free
This series of 11 courses guides new problem gambling counselors through key treatment issues, including assessment, treatment planning, problem gambling theories, and much more. Free of charge. Accredited for up to 23 CE hours.
Free
This series of 9 courses guides behavioral health professionals through key problem gambling treatment issues, including clients' relationship with money, treatment planning, problem gambling theories, etc. Free. Accredited for up to 19 CE hours.
Free
On-demand. This course bundle has been curated with OHA Integrated Co-Occurring Disorders (ICD) Programs in mind. OHA ICD recommends this bundle as a way to satisfy requirements for the Integrated Co-Occurring Disorders Problem Gambling Specialist.
Free
ACORN offers 6 courses for problem gambling treatment clinical supervisors, consultants, agency administrators, and program managers. These on-demand, online trainings are accredited for CE hours/CEUs by NBCC, IGCCB, and MHACBO. Free.
Free
ACORN has been approved by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB), the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO), and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (NBCC ACEP No. 7274). Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. ACORN is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
ACORN additionally houses Oregon Health Authority (OHA) courses for counselors and prevention specialists. OHA courses are taught by OHA instructors and are approved by MHACBO, but not by IGCCB or NBCC.
Continuing education hours for each course are listed on the course webpage.
ACORN courses are designed to provide professional education for those seeking:
initial and advanced certification (CGAC I, ICGC I, CGAC II, ICGC II) and training in problem gambling treatment/treatment of disordered gambling;
training and specialization in treating integrated cooccurring disorders (ICOD);
required continuing education (CE/CEU) for disordered/problem gambling and alcohol and drug treatment provider re-certification;
required continuing education (CE/CEU) for maintaining professional mental health related licensure (e.g., LMFT, LPC) in Oregon and many other states;
advanced skills in the treatment of disordered gambling, working with families, treating cooccurring disorders, and/or sociocultural attunement;
training in mental health and problem/disordered gambling treatment supervision and consultation;
a broader spectrum of counseling and therapy skills and knowledge to integrate into clinical practice; and
knowledge that informs the administration of disordered/problem gambling, cooccurring disorders, and other mental health programs.
Content areas covered by ACORN and OHA courses include the following:
ACORN courses provide information that is relevant to practitioners across a variety of regional contexts and practice settings. These courses are designed to advance education for the global workforce.
OHA courses typically focus on treatment and prevention practices within the State of Oregon.
Add your email to the mailing list to get announcements of new courses.