ICPG 14th Annual Conference on Problem Gambling

Jody Bechtold, LCSW, ICGC-II, BACC, IGDC, CGT 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 (2021) and 2 chapters in the Social Workers Desk Reference v 4 on Gambling and Gaming Disorders, published in 2022. She serves as an Advisor to several startup and non-profits organizations including GamFin, Birches Health, and Seagulls Flock in the Philippines. She also serves as an Emeritus board member 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 several certifications with the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (ICGC-II, IGDC, BACC, CGT).

 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, CGT.

Arya Gadekar, BA in Psychology from Texas A&M International University. Currently a graduate student at University of Illinois- Springfield in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a part of the Graduate Public Service Internship (GPSI intern) program and is part of the Bureau of Planning, Performance Assessment and Federal Programs at IDHS SUPR. Arya’s focus is on gambling disorder programs. She has played college golf for 4 years at TAMIU and is also part of the Women's Golf program at UIS. 

Kellie Gage, M.S., CAADC is the Program Manager for Statewide Gambling Disorder Treatment Services at the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR) where she began her career in state government, as the Gambling Initiative Specialist in August 2001. 

In her current role she participates in oversight on the development and implementation of statewide treatment and outreach services, statewide gambling training, public awareness and helpline services for individuals in need of treatment and resources related to gambling disorder. Kellie has served in the substance use field for the past 32 years as a clinician, program manager and trainer. She is credentialed as a Certified Advanced AODA Counselor (CAADC) through the Illinois Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc. 

John Harris is principal and co-founder of a5 Branding & Digital, a storytelling consultancy focused on creating healthy, sustainable communities. Chicago-based, a5 has teamed up with Way Back Inn to develop the Are You Really Winning? campaign to help those with gambling issues.

Carolyn E. Hawley is a Professor in the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program, Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, College of Health Professions, at Virginia Commonwealth University.  She is the Executive Director of the Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health. She is President of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VCPG). She is a past Board member of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and serves on NCPG’s Affiliate Member Board. She is a member of the VA Lottery Responsible Gambling Advisory Team, as well as Vice Chair of Virginia’s Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund Advisory Committee.

Dr. Napier’s academic background includes a PhD in Pharmacology from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, and post-doctoral training in Neurobiology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC.  She conducted research sabbaticals at Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT and the University of Washington Health Sciences Center, Seattle, WA.  

Dr. Napier has received continuous research grant support since 1990.  Her scientific interests include the neurobiology of motivational behaviors, including un-healthy decision-making associated with addictions, as well as addiction education for health professionals.  She has authored 140+ publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and 180+ published abstracts.  

Dr. Napier’s extensive academic service includes President of the Chicago Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience, membership in scientific review committees for the National Institutes of Health, and editor or reviewer for 30+ scientific journals and books.  She serves as a Scientific Advisor or Board Member for several government, university and not-for-profit institutions including the International Center for Responsible Gaming (Beverly, MA).  Dr. Napier has provided expert testimony to the U.S.A. Congress Committee on Science, Space and Technology-Subcommittee on Research and Technology, and to the Illinois House of Representatives, Heroin and Youth Task Force Hearing.  She has delivered 170+ invited scientific presentations world-wide and is frequently sought after by the news media on matters related to neuropharmacology and addiction.  

Anita Pindiur- Executive Director of the Way Back Inn has been with the Way Back Inn since 2002. Anita is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and holds certifications in substance use disorders, gambling disorders, domestic violence and anger management. Anita attended Loyola University for her undergraduate degree and Benedictine University for her Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology. Anita sits on the board of the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, the Illinois Alliance on Problem Gambling, the Addiction Recovery Team in Oak Park, and the Oak Park Opioid Task Force.

Elizabeth Thielen is a Senior Director at Nicasa Behavioral Health Services in Lake County, Illinois with over 20 years in the addictions field. A Licensed Professional Counselor and Problem and Compulsive Gambling Counselor, Elizabeth is passionate about increasing awareness of gambling disorder in the community and among helping professionals. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, and has also been an adjunct faculty at the College of Lake County, teaching about Process/Behavioral Addictions.  Elizabeth co-chairs the Gambling Disorder Committee, a sub-committee of the Illinois Substance Use Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. Having spoken at the local, State, and National levels, Elizabeth is recognized as an engaging speaker on the subject of gambling disorder and prevention. A former amateur athlete, Elizabeth is also committed to helping athletes avoid disordered gambling as our state adjusts to recently legalized sports betting.

Jim Wilkerson is the Administrator of Gambling Initiative Programs for the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR).  Jim is responsible for the development of gambling disorder awareness programming, research, provider training, and recovery services in Illinois.  Jim holds a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois.  He is an Adjunct-Professor teaching at Millikin University, a 2021 Operational Research Society Griffiths Medal winner, and an Institute on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI) Scholar.