Vermont Dept. of Mental Health offers free problem gambling training for counselors
Updated: 6:28 PM EST Dec 9, 2025
In partnership with the Vermont Legislature and the Department of Liquor and Lottery,the Department of Mental Health is offering a free, online problem gambling training for mental health providers.According to the Department of Mental Health, there are approximately 11,000 people in Vermont who struggle with problem gambling, but only 14 providers across the state that offer specialized services. The new training will mean every community mental health center will have a certified counselor.”We wanted to make sure that we had an identified referral source for problem gambling at each of the community mental health agencies,” explained Chris Allen, with the Department of Mental Health.Mental health providers said that gambling is often paired with other challenges,like depression, anxiety, or financial stress. They said the problem is only increasing with better access to mobile gambling and sports betting.”With online being accessible, and now being able to gamble on your phone, sometimes the house itself becomes the place, the environment for people to gamble,” said Blagoronda Efremovski, a certified problem gambling clinician.Efremovski and other providers agreed that this training will not only expand the network of care, but will also allow therapists to identify risks early and develop support structures for their clients.”It turns us therapists into certified specialists who can spot gambling problems easier, integrate treatment with co-occurring disorders, and link individuals and families to local resources,” said Efremovski.The course starts in January, and clinicians can sign up at Vermont Gambling Help. If you or a loved one needs support to navigate a gambling addiction, there is more information at Vermont Gambling.
WATERBURY, Vt. —
In partnership with the Vermont Legislature and the Department of Liquor and Lottery,
the Department of Mental Health is offering a free, online problem gambling training for mental health providers.
According to the Department of Mental Health, there are approximately 11,000 people in Vermont who struggle with problem gambling, but only 14 providers across the state that offer specialized services. The new training will mean every community mental health center will have a certified counselor.
“We wanted to make sure that we had an identified referral source for problem gambling at each of the community mental health agencies,” explained Chris Allen, with the Department of Mental Health.
Mental health providers said that gambling is often paired with other challenges,
like depression, anxiety, or financial stress. They said the problem is only increasing with better access to mobile gambling and sports betting.
“With online [gambling] being accessible, and now being able to gamble on your phone, sometimes the house itself becomes the place, the environment for people to gamble,” said Blagoronda Efremovski, a certified problem gambling clinician.
Efremovski and other providers agreed that this training will not only expand the network of care, but will also allow therapists to identify risks early and develop support structures for their clients.
“It turns us therapists into certified specialists who can spot gambling problems easier, integrate treatment with co-occurring disorders, and link individuals and families to local resources,” said Efremovski.
The course starts in January, and clinicians can sign up at Vermont Gambling Help. If you or a loved one needs support to navigate a gambling addiction, there is more information at Vermont Gambling.