Biography:
Jody Bechtold, LCSW, ICGC-II, BACC, IGDC is a highly regarded gambling addiction expert working extensively across the globe with individuals, organizations, and associations. She is the CEO of The Better Institute, a group practice located in Pittsburgh. She is the co-author of The Gambling Disorder Treatment Handbook: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals and 2 chapters in the Social Work Desk Reference v 4 on Gambling and Gaming Disorders, published in 2021. She serves as the Vice President of the board for the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB). Jody holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work and has certifications as a Board-Approved Clinical Consultant (BACC), Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor Level II (ICGC-II) and holds the first ever International Gaming Disorder Certificate (IGDC). When Jody isn’t working, you can find her providing pet therapy with her dog, Hanna, and supporting her husband’s business, Pittsburgh Guitars. Please email jody@betterinstitute.com or visit www.BetterInstitute.com to contact Jody Bechtold, LCSW, ICGC-II, BACC, IGDC.
Dr. Stephanie Diez-Morel (pronouns are she/her) is an assistant professor of graduate social work at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Diez-Morel is an invited attendee of the American Psychiatric Associations (APA) task force for Internet Gaming Disorder to discuss the public health implications of gaming and inclusion of Gaming disorder in the DSM-5-TR. She has authored over numerous scientific presentations and journal articles, as well as appeared in the media on a variety of radio, podcasts, and news outlets to discuss the topic of addictions, gaming disorder and other technology-based addictions. Dr. Diez-Morel co-authored the Gaming Disorder Chapter in the Social Workers’ Desk Reference, 4th edition with Jody Bechtold which will be published in 2021. In 2013, Dr. Diez-Morel founded Reboot & Recover, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education, prevention, treatment, and research on gaming disorder and other technology-based addictions.
