Assessment and Treatment of Gaming Disorder & Social Media Addiction

This presentation will discuss the current approaches to the assessment and treatment of gaming disorder and social medical addiction

This workshop promises to be a incredible opportunity for healthcare professionals to improve their understanding of maladaptive technology use, including problematic internet use, internet gaming disorder and social media addiction.

Event Overview:

This presentation hosted by Black Swan Health and introduced by Terina Grace, Black Swan Health CEO & Managing Director alongside guest speaker, Dr Daniela Vecchio, Head of Mental Health & Addiction Studies at Fiona Stanley Hospital and WA Australian of the Year 2026 will outline what internet gaming disorder and social media addiction are and the harms they can cause across the lifespan. It will review the diagnostic process including rating scale to use and questions to ask. Approaches to treatment including the importance of involving families and schools will be explored. Dr Vecchio will also explain the work of the Fiona Stanley Hospital Gaming Disorder Clinic and the referral process.
This workshop will provide illustrative case studies and opportunities for collaborative learning through discussion and a formal question and answer session towards the end of the evening.

Guest Speaker: Dr Daniela Vecchio

Dr Daniela Vecchio is Head of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Fiona Stanley Hospital and a national leader in the emerging field of gaming and screen-related harms. In 2022, she pioneered the establishment of Australia’s first publicly funded Gaming Disorder Clinic, responding to a rapidly growing cohort of young people presenting with problematic gaming and social media use and the significant distress experienced by their families.

The clinic is internationally unique, offering early detection and intervention within an acute hospital setting. Under Dr Vecchio’s leadership, it delivers comprehensive, holistic assessments and a broad range of personalised treatment pathways tailored to individual clinical needs.

Dr Vecchio has driven extensive collaboration across the sector, working internationally with partners in Korea, Germany and Dubai, nationally with leading experts in behavioural addiction, and locally with health, education and police services to ensure coordinated, system-wide responses.

As a Director of the Australian Gaming and Screens Alliance, Dr Vecchio actively advances education and research into harmful online use and plays a key role in shaping national policy in this rapidly evolving area.

In recognition of her pioneering leadership and impact on public mental health, Dr Vecchio is the recipient of the 2026 WA Australian of the Year Award.

Learning Outcomes

• Outline internet gaming disorder and social media and the harms they can cause
• Apply assessment and diagnostic process including use of rating scales
• Address approaches to treatment that focus on involving families and schools and referral to the Fiona Stanley Gaming Disorder Clinic

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM, Arrival | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Workshop
• Venue: Black Swan Health, Fremantle
• 26 Queen St, Fremantle WA 6160

Light refreshments will be provided

RACGP Points: 4

Cost: FREE for the first 50 ticket holders