Assessing and Treating Behavioral Addictions

"This book delves into the multifaceted world of behavioral addictions, exploring their significance, symptoms, and treatment options. It provides a comprehensive overview of various forms of behavioral addiction, including gambling, gaming, shopping, love and romance, sex and pornography and social media use, examining how these behaviors can become compulsive and interfere with daily life creating distress for individuals, relationships and families"-- Provided by publisher.

Dr. Rommel Johnson , PhD, NCC, LPC, CAADC, CRC, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, in the School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on addiction and rehabilitation. He is a dedicated researcher, clinician, and educator with extensive experience in the field of addiction, particularly in the area of behavioral addictions. Dr. Johnson earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Western Michigan University and holds a Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling. He is also a Board Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor. Dr. Johnson's work emphasizes the psychological, social, and neurobiological factors that contribute to addictive patterns. Dr. Johnson is committed to bridging empirical evidence with practical insights to equip behavioral health professionals with the knowledge and skills to support individuals affected by behavioral addictions. He also maintains a clinical practice, providing counseling and addiction recovery services.

Dr. Reuben Mwangi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership & Higher Education at Central Michigan University. He earned his doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Western Michigan University, and his scholarship is backed by extensive experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Dr. Mwangi holds certifications as a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) and through the International Certificate & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) via the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP), demonstrating his commitment to expertise in addiction counseling. Grounded in person-centered and motivational interviewing techniques, Dr. Mwangi's counseling approach is further informed by cognitive behavioral therapy. He is dedicated to establishing a supportive therapeutic environment that empowers clients to confront mental health challenges and enhance their well-being. His dedication to theoretical integration and metatheory ensures that his practice and scholarship are continuously evolving. As an active member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and other professional organizations, Dr. Mwangi is committed to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards in counseling. His teaching interests cover a range of core counseling topics, including Professional Orientation and Ethics, Personal and Professional Development Across the Lifespan, Counseling Techniques, and specialized courses such as Introduction to Counseling Addiction and Etiology of Addiction. Dr. Mwangi's research examines help-seeking attitudes, multicultural counseling competencies, immigration and acculturation, substance abuse, and the intersection of mental health and spirituality. He shares his research findings through presentations at regional, national, and international conferences, contributing to the scholarly understanding of human growth and development.