Jack Berkenstock Jr., MHS (he/him)

Jack joined Momma on March 29, 2021 for a live Q&A via Twitch and YouTube to talk about TAGGS + Self-Care When You’re Hella Busy

About Jack

Jack has been a gamer since the first time he grabbed a set of paddles for Atari 2600 in one hand and a 1st Ed D&D in the other. He was worked in the human services field for over 25 years, in settings including emotional support classrooms, in-patient and community based settings. He has worked with pre-adolescents, teens and adults, both with and without developmental and intellectual disability. He has specialized in working with persons with sexually problematic behaviors as well as those impacted by sexual trauma for over 20 years.

He is one of the Founders of and is the Executive Director of The Bodhana Group, a 501 c3 non-profit based in York, PA that utilizes and advocates the use of tabletop gaming in education, skill building and therapy. He is one of the organizers of the annual convention Save Against Fear and is one of the co-organizers of TAGGS.

Socials / Links for Their Info

• Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/BodhanaJack

• TAGGS page: https://event.taggsummit.org/speakers/jack-berkenstock/

• The Bodhana Group: http://www.thebodhanagroup.org/?ref=heysummit

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jberkenstock

• Wizards, Warriors & Wellness: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/268200/Wizards-Warriors-and-Wellness--The-Therapeutic-Application-of-Role-Playing-Games?ref=heysummit

Episode Summary

If you’re constantly juggling responsibilities, running on empty or feeling like self-care is just another thing on your to-do list, this episode is for you—real talk on burnout, balance and making time for yourself when life won’t slow down.

Key Takeaways

• Therapeutic gaming can provide significant benefits for mental health.

• Social interaction through gaming can lead to positive changes in behavior.

• Community building is a crucial aspect of therapeutic gaming.

• The importance of supervision in therapeutic practices cannot be overstated.

• Inclusivity means hearing from all voices, not just licensed professionals.

• Events like TAGGS provide a platform for knowledge sharing.

• Self-care is crucial, especially when managing large projects.

• Mindfulness practices can help identify emotional patterns.

• Mental health recovery is a gradual process, not an instant fix.

• Therapists provide support but do not fix clients' issues.

• Laughter and humor are essential for mental wellness.

Jack Berkenstock Jr. is back, and this time we’re talking about self-care when you’re hella busy. If you don’t remember Jack, he’s a therapist, the executive director of The Bodhana Group, and a huge advocate for using tabletop gaming as a tool for therapy, skill-building, and education. He also co-organizes the Therapeutic and Applied Geek and Gaming Summit (TAGS), which we get into later.

Jack kicks things off by explaining how The Bodhana Group started. Originally focused on working with folks dealing with sexually problematic behaviors, they quickly realized how gaming was already helping people process trauma, build confidence, and develop social skills—all without clinical intervention. That realization led them to intentionally structure therapeutic gaming with actual treatment models like CBT and DBT rather than just tossing people into a game and hoping for the best.

One of the biggest questions Jack gets is, “Where’s the research?” While studies are in progress—Bodhana even completed one on RPGs helping adults with social anxiety—Jack makes a strong point: research is useful, but real-world results matter too. Parents see their kids engaging more, developing friendships, and even leading their own game groups, which speaks volumes.

We also talk about the struggles kids and adults faced during COVID isolation. Gaming, especially RPGs, became a way to maintain connections. Jack shares a story about kids playing Monster of the Week who skipped the action and just created a virtual campfire hangout because that’s what they really needed. That kind of flexibility—meeting people where they are emotionally—is what makes gaming such a powerful tool.

Jack also breaks down TAGS, the Therapeutic and Applied Geek and Gaming Summit. It’s a professional conference designed to bring together therapists, educators, game designers, and advocates to discuss how geek culture and gaming can be used for mental health and personal growth. The first year’s theme? “Community: Everyone Has a Seat at the Table.” The goal is to make sure voices from all areas—licensed therapists, direct support professionals, educators, and even the people benefiting from these methods—are heard. The event has over 60 panels covering everything from RPGs and mental health to video games, neurodiversity, and grief representation in media. Bonus: attendees can get recordings of the panels for a whole year.

Finally, we hit on self-care—because, let’s be real, burnout is real, especially when you’re passionate about what you do. Jack openly admits that many in mental health suck at self-care (himself included). He talks about recognizing signs of exhaustion, like struggling to focus or pushing through when your body is screaming for rest. His advice? Slow down, listen to what your body and mind are telling you, and don’t ignore what your support system is pointing out.

This episode is packed with insight, laughs, and a real talk about making time for yourself—even when it feels impossible. If you’ve ever wondered how gaming can be used for therapy or just needed a reminder to take care of yourself, this one’s for you.