We are proud of our professional staff members. All clinical counselors have been trained extensively in the diagnosis and treatment of gambling addiction. More importantly, helpline callers tell us that the understanding and compassion each of these counselors have for people with this addiction is evident in all the help that they provide.

Steve Burton, MSW, LCSW, NCGC

Program Director

Steve has been Director of the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia since 2007. Steve has done clinical interventions with almost 1100 problem gamblers and their family members. As director, he has worked to expand services to problem gamblers by recruiting more counselors from rural areas and by developing treatment options like Intensive Outpatient Treatment services. He is frequently a guest lecturer at colleges and universities on the subject of gambling addiction. He is often cited by local and national media as an expert in gambling addiction.

Steve is also Chief Executive Officer of First Choice Health Services, Inc., the company that operates the Problem Gamblers Help Network of WV. He is president of the statewide chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Before becoming director of the network, he supervised the help-line for three years. He has a Masters Degree in Social Work from West Virginia University. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Nationally Certified Gambling Counselor. He has over 10 years experience specializing in the mental health and addictions fields.

What are helpline callers saying about Steve?

“Steve was very pro-active; willing to help in any way possible to get us help for our son’s gambling addiction. We only wish we had contacted you sooner. Thanks”

“Steve was very kind and understanding to my problem. He immediately put me in contact with Perry Cain which I am very pleased with him. This week will be my fourth visit and I have not spent a dollar gambling since Steve was kind enough to listen to my problems and connect me to Perry.”

Sheila Moran, MSW, LSW, NCGC

Director of Development

Sheila has worked for the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia since 2003. She has done clinical interventions with over 1500 problem gamblers and their family members.She is the Director of Development for the network.  She writes the network’s newsletters and annual report, and manages the network’s website content.She also coordinates the network’s advertising efforts and helps train network counselors. She has presented statewide and at national conferences on problem gambling.

She has a Masters Degree in Social Work from West Virginia University.  She is a Licensed Social Worker and a Nationally Certified Gambling Counselor.She has worked for over 15 years with at risk children and in the mental health and addictions field.
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What are helpline callers saying about Sheila?

“Our contact with Sheila was very very helpful and we are so much more understanding of just what gambling addiction counselors can and cannot do.  Sheila was more than helpful. She showed such deep concern.  I pray God will continue to bless all of what you are doing.”

“I was seeking help for a fellow-professional. Sheila was extremely helpful, answered all of my questions and provided real good suggestions. She was very pleasant. We had been trying to get help from another organization for two months.  The help line gave us more information in two minutes than the others.”

 Michele Gordon    , MSW, LGSW, NCGC

Helpline Supervisor

 Michele joined the Problem Gamblers Help Network of WV in 2007. Michele has done clinical interventions with over 535 problem gamblers and their loved ones. She is the Helpline Supervisor, which means making sure each person who calls 1-800-GAMBLER gets the help they need quickly.  She coordinates the helpline schedule so that the telephones are always covered with experienced staff.  She has worked on projects designed to improve treatment quality through technology. She also has worked on our “Weekend ReTREATment Experience” project, a twice annual weekend long intensive treatment program.

She has a Masters Degree in Social Work from West Virginia University. She is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker and an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor.  Michele has over 25 years experience as a medical social worker and as a therapist.

What are helpline callers saying about Michele?

“Michele was very understanding.  I was so upset and she made me feel like I wasn’t alone and made me realize I could get the help I needed.  My husband listened on speaker phone and he really liked her attitude and help she gave both of us.”

“Michele was so sweet and sincere.  I just wanted to go through the phone and give her a big hug.”

 Kathleen O'Neil, MA NCGC

IOP Coordinator

Kathleen has been with the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia network since 2005 as a clinical coordinator.     She has done clinical interventions with almost 900 problem gamblers and their family members. She provides crisis counseling on the helpline and coordinates further treatment for problem gamblers and their families.  Kathleen has spent much of the last year developing and implementing a framework for statewide access to Intensive Outpatient Counseling for problem gamblers.  She frequently represents the network at trade shows, community fairs, and professional conferences.

She has a Masters Degree in Counseling from Marshall University. She is a Nationally Certified Gambling Counselor. She has over 10 years experience working as a therapist in the mental health, addictions, and corrections fields.

What are helpline callers saying about Kathleen?

“I feel Kathleen helped me so very much.  I feel like I got a new lease on life. And a burden lifted.  Please tell her that she is doing a wonderful job”

“Sometimes you will find yourself opening up to a stranger, well; she was the stranger (Kathleen) I needed.  She never rushed to get off the phone.  The sincerity was there I needed to hear.  She is an asset to your work!”

Jennifer Davis-Walton    , MA, NCGC

Clinical Coordinator

 Jennifer joined the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia as a clinical coordinator in 2008.  She has done clinical interventions with over 150 problem gamblers and their family members. She provides crisis counseling on the helpline and coordinates further treatment for problem gamblers and their families. Prior to working on the helpline, Jennifer worked as a network counselor providing direct therapy to problem gamblers.  She is currently working to coordinate the network’s outreach efforts, which involves providing staff to present and exhibit statewide at conferences.  She is also coordinator of the network’s clinical supervision and advanced counselor training sessions. 

She has a Masters Degree in Psychology from Marshall University.   She is a Nationally Certified Gambling Counselor.  She has worked as a therapist and a psychologist for over 15 years.

 What are helpline callers saying about Jennifer?

“Jennifer helped to ease my guilt by reminding me others have faced the same problem.  That really made me feel better.  I needed understanding, not anger. Thank you!!!”

“Jennifer made me feel so comfortable that I could open up and explain all my problems.  She even called me back to check on my progress.  I really appreciate the help I’m receiving and hope I can live up to my potential. Thank you”

 Clinical Coordinator

Julie joined the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia in 2008 as a part-time clinical coordinator. She has done clinical interventions with over 40 problem gamblers and their loved ones.  She provides crisis counseling on the helpline and coordinates further treatment for problem gamblers and their families.   She is often the one who answers the  1-800-GAMBLER line evenings and weekends. 

She has a Masters Degree in Social Work from West Virginia University. Julie also has several years experience specializing in helping abused and neglected children.

What are helpline callers saying about Julie?

“Julie, thank you for my new life!”

"It was obvious that Julie really cared and that helped."

 Jane Reynolds, BA

Clinical Coordinator

 Jane joined the Problem Gamblers Help Network of WV in 2004 as a clinical coordinator. She has done clinical interventions with over 570 problem gamblers and their loved ones. She provides crisis counseling on the helpline and coordinates further treatment for problem gamblers and their families.   She works with our network counselors in the community to ensure that each gambler they are treating has a state-of-the-art treatment plan that will lead to success. She also works with them to make sure PGHNWV funds are provided for treatment for those without insurance. She often works long hours so that no call to 1-800-GAMBLER goes unanswered.  

She has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from WV Wesleyan College and has over 25 years of experience working with addictions and mental health issues.   

What are helpline callers saying about Jane?

“Jane you did a very good job.  At that moment in my life you actually saved my life.  If I hadn’t had anyone to call I would have died that night.”

“Jane was a very understanding, non-judgmental helpline person. Just talking to her helped some urges to gamble subside.  She explained herself very clearly regarding her questions and didn’t behave as a know-it-all. Thanks”

  Gloria Kirk

Gloria joined the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia in 2003 as an executive assistant, office manager, and bookkeeper. She is the network’s “detail person” who makes sure conferences run smoothly, and funds are processed quickly to pay for treatment for those with a gambling problem who do not have insurance. She works on the network’s client satisfaction project, polling helpline callers to see if their experience was helpful.