Clinicians, Prevention Specialists, & Video Games

Finding Balance

The Powered Up Professional program is designed to help clinicians and prevention specialists improve their skills surrounding the topic of video gaming. The Powered Up Professional courses aim to have clinicians and prevention specialists better understand how best to help parents and their children develop healthy gaming habits and create a strong balance with their gaming. Sponsored by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gaming (CCPG), these courses explore the ever-growing convergence between gambling and gaming and provide clinicians and prevention specialists with the knowledge on how to appropriately address these topics with the clients and populations that they are serving.
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Powered Up Parent

The Powered Up Professional Program Can Help You

Information From Experienced Clinicians

  • Gain clinical knowledge on how to work with parents and children to help develop healthier gaming habits

  • Learn practical skills to provide to parents and children on how to improve their gaming behaviors

  • Gain insight into the convergence of gambling and gaming with in-depth content from the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling

  • Interviews from parents and professionals who are knowledgeable about healthy gaming

Help Clinicians Improve Their Clinical Skills Surrounding the Topic of Video Gaming

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Meet the CCPG Team!

Kaitlin Brown LPC, LADC, ICGC II, IGDC, BACC

Senior Director of Programs & Services

[email protected]

Kaitlin Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC), Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC II), holds an International Gaming Disorder Certificate (IGDC) and is a Board Approved Clinical Consultant (BACC) with the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board providing supervision to those seeking to obtain certification in working with Gambling & Gaming Disorders. Kaitlin is currently the Senior Director of Programs & Services for the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Kaitlin oversees the statewide problem gambling helpline, education, prevention initiatives, and responsible gambling efforts. Kaitlin has provided direct counseling services to those with a gambling disorder as well as family members in the Bettor Choice Treatment Programs in CT. Kaitlin has also been able to share her knowledge and experiences by delivering clinical and prevention training presentations relating to gambling and gaming on the state, regional and national level. Kaitlin has dedicated her career to helping those affected by Gambling Disorder and continues to make it her mission to increase community awareness of the overall impact of gambling related harm. Kaitlin is currently the Co-Chair of the NCPG Prevention and Helpline Committees.  In 2021, Kaitlin was honored with the NCPG Jim Wuelfing Prevention Award for her work in helping advance the field of problem gambling prevention and in 2022 was the recipient of the 2022 Coalition Sector All Star Award with the CT Association of Prevention Professionals.



Mallory Schultz

Prevention and Training Coordinator

[email protected]

Mallory Schultz is the Prevention and Training Coordinator for The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling. She has her BS in Nutrition and Wellness from The University of Saint Joseph and a Master of Public Health degree from The University of North Carolina. Mallory has been working in prevention and public health over the last 5 years. She was formally a Prevention Program Coordinator for a state funded grant working with a coalition to implement the strategic prevention framework (SPF). In her current role she works with local, regional, and state organizations to deliver gambling specific education and outreach primarily with the youth and college population. She received the Rising Star Award in 2022 from the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals.




Meet the Instructors

Instructor Bio

Jeremy Edge, LPC, IGDC is the owner and founder of the counseling practice, Escapingthe.com, PLLC. Jeremy is an International Gaming Disorder Certified counselor which is the leading certification for working with people with Gaming Disorder. He's also obtained the Digital Wellness Certificate through the Digital Wellness Institute. He provides individual, parenting, and family counseling services for teenagers, young adults, and adults struggling with problematic Internet and screen use. After personally experiencing the negative effects of Gaming Disorder, Jeremy devoted his work to helping those recover from problematic and disordered screen use. In addition to problematic screen use, Jeremy works well with men of all ages. He received his Master’s degree in Community Counseling at UT San Antonio and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UT Tyler.

Jeremy Edge

Rob Bumbaco LCSW, CMC, a licensed clinical social worker and certified mental coach. Rob earned his master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh and his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Niagara University. In his career, Rob has worked as both a counselor and supervisor in programs that helped treat individuals who were dealing with addiction related issues and mental illness. Robert specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. In 2018, Rob co-founded The Better Institute to deliver what is missing in today’s counseling and coaching organizations. People just want to Get Better. Whether it is mental health and wellness, addiction and recovery, relationships and partnerships, or thriving at work and life – The Better Institute provides professional expertise, cutting edge innovation, and research informed strategies to help individuals get better. Rob continues to work with adolescents and adults who are dealing with mental health and addiction related issues. Rob is married with three kids, ages 12, 10, and 8. He is constantly being introduced to new games and apps by his kids.

Rob Bumbaco

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 and Co-founder of The Better Institute She is the co-author of Identification, Screening, and Referral for Treatment of Problematic and Disordered Gaming in the Social Work Desk Reference v 4 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).

Jody Bechtold

Matt Missar is a clinician with The Better Institute and a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work. Matt holds a Masters of Social Work degree with a focus in Direct Practice and certificate in Mental Health. Matt has also recently obtained his International Gaming Disorder Certificate (IGDC). Matt values working with individuals of all ages and specializes in working with younger individuals regarding stress, anxiety, and problematic gaming. Matt has a unique ability to genuinely engage and connect with each client. Matt brings an extraordinary research background to The Better Institute in which he has conducted in-depth research examining the vulnerability and resilience among children at-risk for maladaptive psychosocial outcomes.

Matt Missar

Help Clinicians Improve Their Clinical Skills Surrounding the Topic of Video Gaming

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and Policies

  • How do I access the program?

    Immediately after you purchase the PoweredUp Parent™ program, you will have access and can begin to watch the videos and complete the Levels. Everything is available on-demand for you to complete on your own schedule. You can start, pause, and stop at any time throughout the program.

  • How long do I have access to the PoweredUp Parent™ program?

    You have 60 days to complete the program from purchase. If you need additional time, please contact us at [email protected].

  • What age group is this program designed for?

    The PoweredUp Parent™ program is designed for parents with children between the ages of 10-18.

  • What if I’m not satisfied with the PoweredUp Parent™ program?

    We will give you a 100% refund after you watch the entire program within 7 days of purchase. We simply ask that you give us feedback on what you didn’t like about the program and how we could improve the program.

  • Is there a cancellation policy?

    We do not offer a cancellation policy because this program is available on-demand and you can watch/attend them at your convenience (day or night, home or office or anywhere).

  • What if I am having technical problems with the program?

    We recommend that you watch this program using a desktop/laptop computer and Chrome browser. You can also contact us at [email protected] to see if we can assist you.

  • I want to talk to someone about my specific child/ren - how can I contact the presenters?

    Within the course, there are instructions to contact us. You may also email [email protected] for more information.