“The program has received very positive feedback from the clients”
Finnish treatment provider Peluuri was an early adopter of online treatment. Back in 2007, Peluuri started providing a bespoke version of our online treatment to people struggling with gambling problems in Finland. The journey began with a single therapist and has now expanded to a team of six. In total, 2684 clients have completed the program. We’ve talked to Peluuri about their experiences of working with the treatment program and the changes they have seen over the years.
What’s your experience working with the treatment program?
The program complements our other services very well. It allows clients to participate from anywhere, and it is provided to clients free of charge. The high level of anonymity and the low threshold are other important factors.
The collected data is very important for us. It is an essential part of our information production, reportage and communication.
Have the characteristics of clients seeking help changed over the years?
Young men, aged 18 to 34, constitute the largest demographic group seeking help from Peluuri. The characteristics of players have largely remained consistent over the years.
In recent years, we have noticed that players seek help earlier. Previously, the average duration before seeking help was 7-9 years, but now it has decreased to 4-6 years. The acceleration of problems can be attributed to the faster and more addictive nature of games, coupled with easy access to money. While physical AGMs used to be the primary cause of issues in the past, nowadays, online casinos—especially online slots—are the predominant contributors. There has been a significant rise in mobile gambling.
Today, clients have way better access to equipment and to the internet, facilitating a smoother experience with the treatment program. In the early days, some clients had to use computers in public libraries or workplaces to complete the modules, which, of course, was not the optimal situation.
Has clients’ attitudes toward online treatment changed over the years?
We haven't seen any notable change in clients’ attitudes, but there seems to be an overall positive change in perception toward online treatment. Maybe because it is a more common and accessible form of treatment now.
How does working with online treatment differ from working with ”traditional treatment”?
For some clients, sharing personal matters is more comfortable over the phone than in face-to-face conversations.
In 2013, we conducted a small pilot with 17 clients in the Gambling Clinic, where we applied the online treatment during face-to-face meetings. Both clients and therapists provided positive feedback, and we observed no significant differences in outcomes.
How do you reach and guide clients into the treatment program?
Clients discover the program through various channels, including the Peluuri helpline/chat, Peluuri's webpage, Google, or referrals from professionals and collaborators. An introduction, featuring a video about the program, is available on the Peluuri webpage. We don’t market the program actively, as the demand already exceeds our capacity to accommodate more clients.
What does your process look like when a client wants to participate in the treatment program?
The client completes and submits the application, available on peluuri.fi.
Upon acceptance, the client is placed in the queue. The client receives a confirmation email along with information about their queue status.
While in the queue, the client receives regular emails about their position and information on reducing gambling harm. Information about alternative forms of treatment and support is also provided during this time.
Upon entering the program, the client receives an email requesting registration.
After registration, the assigned therapist contacts the client to schedule the first call. The client works with the same therapist throughout the entire program.
The program spans over 8 weeks (1 week per module), with weekly assignments and 30-45 minute phone calls with the assigned therapist.
After completing all eight modules, the client receives 1-3 follow-up calls. Two follow-up surveys are completed at 6 and 12 months after program completion.
How do the clients experience the treatment program?
The clients are content with both the program and the content. Typically, clients who initiate the program are highly motivated. However, the long queues and waiting times can be frustrating for them.
Participating in the program is straightforward. Clients have the flexibility to choose both the time and place that suit them for completing the self-study modules, and the client and therapist collaboratively agree on a convenient time for their weekly phone calls. The program has received very positive feedback from the clients, with many clients emphasising the significance of the phone calls with their therapists.
Are there specific elements in the treatment program that hold extra value for you?
The surveys play a crucial role in evaluating and analysing the program's impact, serving as evidence of its effectiveness. Additionally, they provide us with valuable data concerning problem gamblers and gambling problems.
The program provides a structured framework for the client-therapist interaction, ensuring a systematic process. With that being said, the structure is still flexible enough to be tailored to each client's needs. The educational components serve as a solid foundation for meaningful conversations between client and therapist.
Research studies
Two studies have been conducted on Peluuri’s version of the online treatment program. Find them here:
https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2006/11/1/article-p75.xml
