Dr. Stephanie Diez-Morel

Dr. Stephanie Diez-Morel (pronouns: she/her) is an associate professor and the Program Director of the Masters of Social Work graduate program at Pennsylvania Western University. As a Licensed Clinical Social worker and PhD level researcher, Dr. Diez-Morel has dedicated her work to helping improve the lives of youth, families, adults and communities. She is the author of a plethora of presentations, scientific research studies, and book chapters on the topics of gaming disorder and associated behavioral addictions. In 2013, Dr. Diez-Morel founded Reboot & Recover, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding solutions for a balanced living in a technology driven world. She has established education, prevention curriculums, treatment, and research on gaming disorder and other problematic technology-based behaviors for children, youth, adults, and families that have been utilized by organizations worldwide. Her work has been presented nationally and internationally to aid prevention workers, social workers, counselors, and medical professionals working with youth, families, and adults experiencing psychosocial concerns or harms due to their gaming or technology use behavior.

Dr. Diez-Morel earned her Ph.D. from Florida International University where she was awarded a student scholar in Health Disparities Research Fellowship with CRUSADA (the Center for Research on US Latino/as Drug Abuse and Addictions) funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Diez-Morel utilizes her expertise in behavioral health and addictions to serve in various role including as Emeritus Board Member of the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB) and through this role, helped to lead development of the world’s first International Gaming Disorder Certification for helping professionals. Dr. Diez-Morel is also the co-lead for the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Gaming Disorder Taskforce and serves as the National Association of Social Work’s (NASW-PA) 2nd Vice President of Finance and Executive Committee member. Dr. Diez-Morel continues her clinical practice as a licensed practitioner and splits her time between direct clinical practice, research, prevention work, teaching, and service to the community. To learn more about Dr. Diez-Morel’s research, view her ResearchGate Profile and/or GoogleScholar Profile.