The Powered Up Program can help.

  • Significant decrease in recreational screen time

  • Improved interpersonal communication and relationships

  • Increased awareness of emotions and utilization of coping mechanisms

  • Develop a balanced lifestyle that incorporates gaming in a healthy manner along with other diversified activities

What is Powered Up?

A BETTER Relationship with Gaming

The Powered Up Program offers individual & family counseling sessions with a licensed clinician, access to our online course, individualized assessments, and handouts. Counseling focuses on addressing addictive and compulsive gaming behavior to help clients achieve a healthy, balanced relationship with gaming.
Learn More about Clinical Counseling and Educational Presentations

Powered Up Online Courses

The Powered Up Program offers two self–paced online courses for both parents and gamers. The courses include personalized assignment feedback, 8-module course, & health/at–risk behavior education with an emphasis on mental health, wellness, and healthy gaming.

See What Parents are Saying

Testimonials & Reviews

Joy Yan

5 star rating

“Level 1 definitely caught my attention and made me want to learn more. ”

“Level 1 definitely caught my attention and made me want to learn more. ”

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Mark Szkudlarek

5 star rating

“Great overview of today's gaming environment and how it affects our children. This short course prepares you as a parent / caregiver to understand the high level concepts with gaming, the effects it has on our children and what you can do to take...”

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“Great overview of today's gaming environment and how it affects our children. This short course prepares you as a parent / caregiver to understand the high level concepts with gaming, the effects it has on our children and what you can do to take an active role in ensuring your child is using gaming is a positive way. You don't want to miss this one. ”

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Linda Fletcher

5 star rating

“I am raising 2 teenage boys who are both very drawn to the gaming world. Navigating parenting in this arena has been overwhelming at times. This training has helped me understand more about what to do and what not to do in addressing gaming with...”

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“I am raising 2 teenage boys who are both very drawn to the gaming world. Navigating parenting in this arena has been overwhelming at times. This training has helped me understand more about what to do and what not to do in addressing gaming with my kids. It has opened my eyes to the importance of connecting with my kids regarding their interests in gaming as well as knowing that I am not alone in parenting in the age of screens. I look forward to implementing the tips provided in this series.”

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Evan Dean

5 star rating

“I found this course to be highly knowledgeable and actionable right from the start! There are so many helpful pieces to this program. But most of all is the focus on being curious and finding out how the child is using the games/screens to find va...”

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“I found this course to be highly knowledgeable and actionable right from the start! There are so many helpful pieces to this program. But most of all is the focus on being curious and finding out how the child is using the games/screens to find value and currency in their lives and affirming that. I also really like the encouragement to find positive reinforcement over negative reinforcement as often as possible. Finally, the discussion worksheets are really helpful to lay out all the pieces and formulate a discussion and a parenting plan going forward. This really helped me to think through what I can actually follow through on and what is unrealistic in terms of expectations, rules, and consequences.”

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Jill Bode

5 star rating

“Wonderful job. I liked all the different perspectives of people you had involved in this program ”

“Wonderful job. I liked all the different perspectives of people you had involved in this program ”

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Power Up the Whole Family

Bundle Our Programs and Save

Meet The Instructors

Matt Missar values working with individuals of all ages and specializes in working with younger individuals regarding stress, anxiety, and problematic gaming. As a former athlete and basketball coach, Matt understands the impact that mental health can have on athletic performance and vice versa. Through Back in the Game, Matt has worked with athletes and teams to help them reach their sports performance goals. Matt utilizes the six core mental skills of Back in the Game to help athletes develop mental strength and improve their athletic performance.

Matt Missar

LCSW, IGDC

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

LCSW, ICGC-II, BACC

Rob Bumbaco LCSW, MPM, 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

LCSW, MPM

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and Policies

  • How do I access the program?

    Immediately after you purchase the PoweredUp Bundle 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 the PoweredUp Bundle programs?

    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 and Player programs are designed for parents and their 10-18-year-old children.

  • What if I’m not satisfied with the PoweredUp 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.