Addressing gambling risks in young people and supporting concerned parents in general practice

Originally recorded:

7 July 2025

In this webinar, we will discuss how to identify and respond to gambling harm in young people during routine general practice consultations. Participants will learn practical screening questions, brief intervention strategies and referral options to support young patients and their families.

Learning outcomes

Identify common signs of gambling harm in young people that may present in general practice.
Explore appropriate screening questions or tools to identify gambling risk in young people during routine consultations.
Demonstrate brief intervention techniques, including motivational interviewing strategies, to engage young people in discussions about gambling-related harm.
Discuss referral pathways and support options available for young people experiencing gambling-related harm.

Facilitator

Dr Hester Wilson
BMed(Hons) FRACGP FAChAM MMH

Dr Wilson is a GP, Chief Addiction Specialist for NSW Health, Clinical Director for Murrumbidgee Drug and Alcohol and Clinical Advisor to Population and Community Health in South East Sydney LHD. She is chair of the RACGP Addiction Special Interest Group, a clinician with many years clinical and teaching experience, she is currently undertaking a PhD focused on GPs’ experience of patients with chronic pain and prescription opioid use disorder.

Presenter

Dr Wayne Warburton
Psychologist

Dr Wayne Warburton is a Professor of developmental psychology at Macquarie University and is also a registered psychologist. He has spoken to numerous parents and professionals who work with children over the last 20 years, particularly around issues related to media use and behavioural addictions such as screen disorders and problem gambling. He is co-author of the books Growing Up Fast and Furious and The Importance of Media Literacy, and of several statements by international panels of experts, including the American Psychological Association’s Report of the Task Force on the Sexualization of Popular Music, the International Society for Research on Aggression Statement on Media Violence and Statement on Risk Factors for Youth Violence, the Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues Research Summary on Media Violence, and the world experts’ Statement on Video Game Violence used in the US Supreme Court case of California vs. Entertainment Merchants. His work and his RES@T-A Australia program were the subject of a touching Australian Story on the ABC that followed two wonderful teen boys with a screen disorder through the intervention program. Wayne has won more than 25 awards for his scholarship and teaching, including four from the Australian Psychological Society, and the 2018 Distinguished Scientific Contribution to Media Psychology and Technology Award from the American Psychological Association.

Speaker

Jessica Hancock
Counsellor and Psychotherapist

Jessica Hancock is an experienced PACFA Accredited counsellor, psychotherapist, and a clinical supervisor with over 10 years of dedicated practice in the mental health field. With a focus on trauma and addiction recovery, Jess is deeply passionate about educating people on how adverse childhood experiences affect the health and well-being of families and young people in rural communities. Holding a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy from Western Sydney University, Jess has developed a strong expertise in supporting individuals through the recovery process of trauma, addiction, and complex mental health. One of Jess’s significant achievements is the design and implementation, in collaboration with a Financial Counsellor, of a culturally tailored Gambling Recovery Group Program for Aboriginal men within NSW department of corrective services. The program integrated culturally sensitive practices with evidence-based strategies, including financial literacy components, to support participants in their recovery journey and promote long-term well-being. As a clinical supervisor, Jess is passionate about supporting Bachelor of Counselling students at Griffith University guiding fellow professionals in their therapeutic practice. By providing supervision rooted in both professional development and personal reflection, Jessica helps counsellors deepen their understanding of how trauma and addiction impacts their clients.

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