Jack Berkenstock Jr., MHS
Executive Director/Trainer/Therapeutic Game Master
Jack has worked in human services since 1994 and has provided services in multiple environments including education, recreation, residential and community-based settings. He earned his Master’s in Human Services from Lincoln University in 2008. He has worked with children, adolescents and adults both neurotypical and neurodiverse with a variety of behavioral challenges, diagnoses and other concerns.
Jack utilizes a CBT based approach with applications of Buddhist Psychology and mindfulness practice. He also specializes in working with both victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse, having worked in this domain for over 23 years. He has been a gamer for over 38 years and runs groups, individual sessions and training in the use of tabletop board and RPG. He is a founding member of The Bodhana Group and one of the architects of The Bodhana Model of Therapy Blended RPGs.
Max Yoder, MHS
Therapeutic Game Master/Research
A co-founder of Bodhana, Max worked at a behavioral health center with adolescents with behavioral health issues and/or sexually reactive for problematic behaviors for over 5 years in a direct care role. He also has extensive experience in group homes with adults with developmental disabilities for 8 years in both a direct care role as well as supervisory.
Jared Adams
M.A., P-RDT
Therapeutic Game Master/Trainer
Jared Adams is a provisionally registered drama therapist who specializes in combining his theatrical and clinical expertise to implement The Bodhana Model in practice. He uses Narrative Therapy theories to fuel his therapeutic TRPGs and utilizes his formal training in Musical Theatre and a long history of improvisational and environmental theatre to bring those games to life. Jared received his master’s degree from Kansas State University’s NADTA accredited Drama Therapy program in August of 2022 and has worked with children, teenagers, and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, ASD, trauma, and conduct disorders among other presenting issues.
James D. Kirk
Therapeutic Game Master/Trainer
James has been with Bodhana for about 10 years. He began as a volunteer but bringing his considerable gamemaster skills and theatre education with him he was trained in the Bodhana method for therapeutic RPG. James has been running TTRPG groups for Bodhana for just over 6 years now and assists in creating the training programs as well as executing the trainings, speaking at conventions and lending a hand to any of the behind the scenes needs the organization has.
Chris Barton, MS
Therapeutic Game Master
When I was young, I found a game called Dungeons and Dragons, unlike any game I had seen before. In my youth and beyond I saw educational and social benefits to this role-playing game. Many years later I am utilizing my youth passion for a new generation to help build their skills. I have successfully obtained several educational degrees including Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology.
Utilizing these skills in combination with the training from the Bodhana group I started helping a group as a volunteer in December of 2018. Now I am employed by Bodhana and contract with the Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence to help facilitate three groups of youth and young adults in role-playing groups, utilizing intentional content designed to build skills.