Darren Christensen

Biography

Darren R. Christensen received his PhD in experimental psychology from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He has previously worked at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the University of Melbourne examining the efficacy of contingency management as a treatment for substance dependence and problem gambling. He is currently the chair in gambling sponsored by the Alberta Gambling Research Institute in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. His research includes developing behavioural treatments for problem gambling, evaluations of the effectiveness of harm minimisation measures, and an investigation of regular opioid antagonist dosing on gambling urge and brain function.

Node Funded Project (April 2016)

Project Title: Adding Contingency Management to On-Line Treatment as Usual for the Treatment of Disordered Gambling

Principal Investigator: Darren Christensen, University of Lethbridge

Co-investigators:

Dee Ann Bernard, Alberta Rural Development

Dr. Chad Witcher, University of Lethbridge

Dr. Judith Kulig, University of Lethbridge

Description

We will provide counselling and incentives to study participants living in rural communities who are experiencing problems due to their gambling. Participants will be recruited through the affiliates of the Alberta Rural Development Network. This study investigates the effects of providing small incentives (i.e., gift cards) for treatment attendance and evidence of treatment success. Participants will be randomly allocated to 12-weeks of either regular counselling or regular counselling and small incentives. The counselling is free and is provided on-line. The study begins November 2016.

Study Website: http://www.uleth.ca/healthsciences/internet

The CRISM seed grant will be used to support the provision of the counselling, study incentives, and evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and experiences of participants, affiliates, and counsellors. This study will also inform similar studies run by the CRISM Prairie node.

This project was recently presented at the CRISM Prairie Node 2nd Annual Gathering held Nov 15-16, 2017 in Calgary, AB.

CRISM Internet Delivered Counselling_Christensen Nov 2017