Qualifications
Recovery
Stephen Block grew up in Brooklyn. He started gambling as a boy, playing cards for money, and moved on to bookies and the racetrack. After about twenty years of it he joined Gamblers Anonymous. He has not gambled for more than 50 years and speaks openly about his recovery.
Counseling
For many years he worked at the Gamblers' Treatment Center on Staten Island, an outpatient program for gambling opened in 1982 under St. Vincent's and now part of Richmond University Medical Center. He started there as a counselor and later became its outreach and education specialist. In all, he has worked with problem gamblers and substance users for over 40 years.
Courts
Since the early 2000s he has worked as an expert witness on problem gambling. He assesses, evaluates and refers probation and parole clients, prepares forensic reports and testifies in State and Federal Courts.
New York Council on Problem Gambling
He joined the New York Council on Problem Gambling by 2004 and was President of its Board of Directors from 2014 to 2022. In 2016 the Council hosted the 30th National Conference on Problem Gambling in Tarrytown, New York.
Roles
- President, Board of Directors · New York Council on Problem Gambling — 2014–2022
- Counselor; outreach and education specialist · Gamblers' Treatment Center, Staten Island — until 2022
- Vice President · Association of Professionals Treating Problem Gambling (New Jersey) — 2022
- Advisory group member · New Jersey Gambling Court Initiative
- Member, Underserved Population Sub-Committee · Mental Hygiene Task Force, New York State Assembly Mental Health Committee — 2004
Credentials
| Credential | Issued by | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CPGCCredentialed Problem Gambling Counselor | New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) | |
| ICGC-IIInternational Certified Gambling Counselor, Level II | International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (formerly IGCCB) | |
| NCGC-IINational Certified Gambling Counselor, Level II | National certification board associated with the National Council on Problem Gambling | Earlier national credential, since replaced by the ICGC. |
| CCGCCertified Compulsive Gambling Counselor |
Stephen Block is a credentialed gambling counselor, not a licensed psychologist, social worker or physician.
Recognition
Jeffrey M. Beck Recovery Ambassador Award
2022 · National Council on Problem Gambling
Presented on 22 July 2022 in Boston at the National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling. The award recognizes a person in recovery from a gambling problem who shares their lived experience.