Recognizing and Responding to Behavioral Addictions
Enroll in the Online Self-Study course and complete it at your own pace.
1.5 CE hours available for behavioral health clinicians upon completion.
Behavioral addictions are rising at an alarming rate—and many go undetected in clinical settings. When overlooked, these addictions can sabotage therapeutic progress, no matter how skilled the provider.
Even the most experienced clinicians may feel underprepared to assess and address these complex, often hidden behaviors. This course provides the essential knowledge and tools needed to recognize behavioral addictions and respond effectively—transforming uncertainty into confidence and helping clients find real relief.
Enroll in the 1.5 CE Online Self-Study for $30
Payment Options are listed at checkout
Register for the 0 CE Training Video for $15
Payment Options are listed at checkout
Amanda L. Giordano, PhD, LPC is an associate professor at the University of Georgia and one of the foremost experts on behavioral addictions. A nationally recognized educator and researcher, Dr. Giordano is the author of A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions and co-author of Addiction Counseling: A Practical Approach. With more than 120 presentations and 55 scholarly publications, she brings both research rigor and clinical insight to this timely course.
Dr. Giordano’s teaching style is clear, compassionate, and deeply informed by both neuroscience and evidence-based counseling practices. Her approach empowers clinicians to detect behavioral addictions early, conceptualize them accurately, and intervene using a public health framework.
This course explores how behavioral addictions are defined and identified, including how they differ from high involvement or enthusiasm in a behavior. Participants will learn to apply a public health model to conceptualize addictions and discover the powerful neurobiological mechanisms behind compulsive behaviors. Topics include trauma, reward circuitry, supernormal stimuli, and emotion regulation—along with tools for screening and intervention.
Instructor
Amanda L. Giordano, PhD, LPC is an associate professor at the University of Georgia who specializes in addictions counseling. She is the sole author of a clinical reference book titled, A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions, co-author of a textbook titled, Addiction Counseling: A Practical Approach, and developer of an online course, Working with Behavioral Addictions, with Mental Health Academy. Dr. Giordano works to advance the counseling field with rigorous research and has published over 55 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and has conducted over 120 presentations. In 2018, Dr. Giordano received the Addictions/Offender Educator of Excellence Award from the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC) and in 2022 she was awarded the Russell H. Yeany Jr., Research Award from her college. Dr. Giordano collaborates with domestic and international organizations to provide trainings to increase awareness related to behavioral addictions. She maintains a blog called Understanding Addiction for Psychology Today and has been a guest on several podcasts.
Key Takeaways:
-
Conceptual Clarity: Understand the evolving definition of addiction and distinguish behavioral addiction from non-compulsive behavior.
-
Clinical Confidence: Learn how to recognize and assess behavioral addictions using the Four Cs and other validated tools.
-
Neuroscience-Informed Practice: Gain a deeper understanding of the brain-based mechanisms behind behavioral addictions and their public health implications.
Why This Course?
-
Research-Based & Practical: Grounded in neuroscience and counseling practice, this course bridges the gap between theory and clinical utility.
-
Expert-Led: Taught by Dr. Amanda Giordano, a leading authority in the field of behavioral addictions and addictions counseling education.
-
Mission-Driven: Offered by the Telehealth Certification Institute, whose mission is to empower clinicians with exceptional education that elevates the standard of care.
Learning Objectives:
-
Describe the evolving definition of addiction and conceptualize behavioral addictions using a public health model.
-
Explain the criteria for behavioral addictions and how to differentiate between high involvement in a behavior and a behavioral addiction.
-
Synthesize current research and relevant neuroscience related to the prevalence and nature of behavioral addictions.
Behavioral addictions are often hidden in plain sight—and clinicians who know how to recognize and treat them are invaluable. If you're ready to strengthen your clinical insight and support clients more effectively, this course provides the knowledge and strategies to help you do just that.
Enroll now to develop your skills, boost your confidence, and enhance your impact as a behavioral health professional.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course that consists of 90+ minutes of video instruction, a post-test and a course evaluation.
Select each tab for course details
Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.
Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.
Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.
How to attend: Directions for completing a course can be found by clicking here.
This program was recorded July 28, 2023
Testimonials
Bridgette Nalumu
Public health consultant, Green and Purple Consultancy Network
Lora Verley
Clinical Therapist, Bayless Integrated Healthcare
Jackie Tanna
Therapist, Region One Mental Health
Jackie Bell-Russell
Therapeutic Behavioral Strategist, Rialto Unified School District