OAR 309-019-0170: Outpatient Problem Gambling Treatment and Recovery Services

Outpatient problem gambling treatment services include group, individual, and family treatment consistent with the following requirements: (1) Service sessions shall address the challenges of the individual as they relate directly or indirectly to the problem gambling behavior. (2) Providers may provide telephone counseling when face-to-face contact involves an unwise delay, as follows: (a) The individual shall be currently enrolled in the problem gambling treatment program; (b) Phone counseling shall be provided by a qualified program staff within their scope of practice; (c) Service notes for phone counseling shall follow the same criteria as face-to-face counseling and identify the session was conducted by phone and the clinical rationale for the phone session; (d) Telephone counseling shall meet HIPAA and 42 CFR standards for privacy; and (e) There shall be an agreement of informed consent for phone counseling that is discussed with the individual and documented in the individual’s service record. (3) Family counseling includes face-to-face or non-face-to-face service sessions between a program staff member delivering the service and a family member whose life has been negatively impacted by gambling: (a) Service sessions shall address the problems of the family member as they relate directly or indirectly to the problem gambling behavior; and (b) Services to the family shall be offered even if the individual identified as a problem gambler is unwilling or unavailable to accept services. (4) Twenty-four hour crisis response shall be accomplished through agreement with other crisis services, on-call program staff, or other arrangement acceptable to the Division. (5) A financial assessment shall be included in the entry process and documented in the assessment. (6) The service plan shall include a financial component consistent with the financial assessment. (7) A risk assessment for suicide ideation shall be included in the entry process and documented in the assessment as well as appropriate referrals made. (8) The service plan shall address suicidal risks if determined within the assessment process or throughout services. (9) For individuals at risk, the service notes shall contain documented evidence that suicidal risk is continually assessed and that follow-up safety plan activities are being monitored.