About Dr. Jane Oakes, Ph.D. Expert in Gambling Addiction and Mental Health Dr. Jane Oakes, Ph.D., is an expert in the assessment, treatment and relapse prevention for addictions in particular gambling addiction, mental health issues (including anxiety disorders, depression and trauma) and qualitative research. With a career spanning over 20 years, she has dedicated her professional life to advancing understanding, treatment, and prevention of addictive behaviours in particular gambling. Dr. Oakes has held influential roles in academia, clinical practice, and program development. ________________________________________ Professional Background Dr. Oakes has played pivotal roles in shaping gambling addiction and mental health services, training and education: • Gambling Services Coordinator- at Turning Point’s National Telephone and Online Services. • Topic Coordinator and Lecturer- in the Master of Addictive Behaviours program at Monash University and Flinders University • Team Lead and Senior Clinician- at the South Australian Intensive Gambling Therapy Service / Statewide Gambling Therapy Service based at Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia. • Clinical Reviewer- ensuring evidence-based, practical content for the following websites: o Alfred Hospital- Gambling Minds Website a Victorian State-wide service o The National Gambling Help Online Website o South Australian Intensive Gambling Therapy Service Website o QuitGamble.com, • Researcher – treatment and relapse for gambling and co-occurring mental health issues • Ongoing Consultant - for Bali Calm Rehabilitation Program and Problem Gambling Foundation Services in New Zealand Her work emphasizes the intersection of clinical care and academic research, bridging theory and practice to deliver impactful solutions. ________________________________________ Education & Research Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Dr. Oakes’s doctoral research explored relapse patterns in electronic gaming machine gambling, offering groundbreaking insights into the psychological processes underlying gambling addiction. Masters in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): Dr. Oakes specializes in CBT, using evidence-based techniques to treat anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and gambling-related issues. ________________________________________ Expertise • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): Expert in treatment, training and supervision for mental health disorders and addiction issues. • EMDR- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy • Gambling Addiction: Pioneer in understanding “the zone,” a dissociative state experienced by problem gamblers. • Telehealth Innovation: Developed online treatment models, including group therapy for gambling harm, ensuring continuity of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. ________________________________________ Career Achievements & Awards Dr. Oakes’s contributions have been widely recognized: • Eastern Health Travelling Scholarship (2016) • Excellence in Telephone and Online Services Award (2016) • Excellence Award, South Australia (2010) • James Nash Academic Book Award, Hillcrest Hospital (1983) ________________________________________ Publications Dr. Oakes’s research highlights include: • “Case Study Demonstration of the Potential Acceptability and Effectiveness of a Novel Telehealth Treatment for People Experiencing Gambling Harm” (2022). • “The Frantic Seeking of Credit during Poker Machine Problem Gambling: A Public Health Perspective” (2020). • “Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Online Mental Health First Aid Guidelines for Helping Someone Experiencing Gambling Problems” (2020). For a complete list of publications, visit her profiles on Google Scholar or ResearchGate. ________________________________________ Programs & Initiatives Online Gambling Treatment Groups: Dr. Oakes with senior social worker Vicky Northe founded an innovative telehealth group therapy program in collaboration. Using evidence-based approaches, these sessions have helped numerous clients recover from gambling-related harm.