title: Exposure therapy for problem gambling via Videoconferencing: a case report.
abstract: This case report of a 31 year old woman who described her main problem as an uncontrollable urge to gamble on electronic gaming machines describes the application of exposure therapy (ET) by videoconferencing and the use of a clinical therapy assistant in the treatment of pathological gambling. The case study is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this treatment with six sessions of therapy and 4 year follow up. The use of videoconferencing is discussed in relation to treatment effectiveness, ongoing follow up for the client and education and support for a community mental health nurse, therapy assistant, in a rural setting in South Australia. The implications of using this modality for the treatment of rural patients with problem gambling is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Flinders Therapy Service for Problem Gamblers, Centre for Anxiety & Related Disorders, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Bedford Park, 5042, South Australia. jane.oakes@fmc.sa.gov.au
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oakes
authors.forename: Malcolm W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Battersby
authors.forename: Rene G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Pols
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cromarty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019035:Rural Health Services; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018910:Video Games