In recent years, Caraniche has been integrating digital technologies into treatment programs to enhance accessibility and streamline service delivery. Evaluations of these digital programs have demonstrated that they can achieve high completion rates, strong client satisfaction and comparable client outcomes to standard programs, whilst reducing time spent on administration, session time and reporting.

After the success of such programs for clients with problematic substance use, and in response to a rise in the number of clients seeking help for problematic gambling, in 2024 Caraniche developed a digitally-enhanced therapeutic program for people who report problematic gambling behaviour.

The ’Power to Change’ Gambling program is underpinned by cognitive-behavioural approaches, relapse prevention, motivational interviewing and progress monitoring. The program is hosted on a digital platform that integrates with the client record and which clients can access from any ‘smart’ device. It combines 6 tele-health counselling sessions with a variety of digital activities including self-directed between session content focusing on psycho-education, in-session activities which map to a personalised self-management plan, client surveys and psychometrics, and behaviour tracking functionality.

In this presentation we will provide an introduction to the program’s foundations (including the similarities and differences between substance use and gambling, and best practice approaches to gambling treatment), the development process (including learnings from the substance use program and feedback from people with lived experience of gambling) and a video tour of digital program from the client’s perspective. Initial learnings from the pilot will also be shared.