BREMERTON – Kitsap Mental Health Services is pleased to announce a “Gambling Addictions” seminar featuring three of the top speakers in this field. This program is approved for 2.5 continuing education contact hours.

Dr. John (Tony) Steger, D. Min., LMHC, received his B.A. from Catholic University of America and his M.A. from the University of Toledo and Seattle University. His Doctorate is from the Graduate Theological Foundation, South Bend, Indiana. He has taught at Seattle University and most recently at Pierce College. Dr. Steger has worked with addictions since 1984 and he was part of the Pilot Program for Problem Gambling in Washington State. He is a Chemical Dependency Professional and a Washington State Certified Gambling Counselor.

Maureen Greeley, Executive Director, Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, has worked with and for the Council on Problem Gambling since 1998. In her role as Communications Director for the Washington Lottery for six years, Ms. Greeley was that agency’s Problem Gambling Program Manager and served as a charter member of the Council’s Gaming Industry Work Group. She recently served as Secretary for the Board of the National Council on Problem Gambling and sits on the Problem Gambling Advisory Council for the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Linda Graves, Problem Gambling Program Manager, State of Washington’s Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, came to this position in June 2005 after Washington passed legislation that set aside money for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling. Before moving to Washington, Ms.Graves was the Deputy Director for the Delaware Council on Problem Gambling for nine years. She has been recognized as “Counselor of the Year” by the Delaware Association of Addictions Professionals and has been awarded the “Service Award” by the National Council on Problem Gambling”.

This seminar will address various elements of gambling issues such as the signs and symptoms, treatments, effects on the family, problem gambling in Washington, history of gambling and gambling regulation, statewide and national helpline information and state funded and private treatment options.

At the conclusion of this Seminar participants will be familiar with models and phases of gambling, reasons why people gamble and evaluation tools and assessment of problem gambling. Participants will also recognize the types of gamblers and barriers to people seeking help for gambling addiction.

The Seminar will take place on September 17, 2008 at the Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 – 6^th Street, Bremerton, WA 98337 from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. The fee to attend this outstanding presentation is $49 per person. To reserve your spot or for more information go to KMHS’ website, http://www.kitsapmentalhealth.org/. or contact Carol Funch, Human Resources Department, Kitsap Mental Health Services at (360)415-5882.