The Founder and President
Jill Kristin Berkana founded the Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy in 2011.
Founder – President – Mindful Expressionism® Originator –Instructor Trainer – Advocate and Ambassador for the Massage Therapy and Bodywork Profession - Expert Witness - Author- Massage Therapy Hall of Fame Inductee - Mentor.
Jill Berkana served as a Board Director for the United States National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and was the Board Liaison for the NCBTMB Ethics and Standards Committee. She is the originator of the Berkana Institute’s Style of Bodywork and designed the comprehensive curriculum. She is the President of all Berkana Institute’s operational, student and faculty affairs and owner and caretaker of the Historic Allen House.
Jill Berkana is an internationally recognized pioneer of modern and holistic massage therapy and bodywork. A licensed and board-certified massage therapist, she maintained a thriving practice from 1990 to 2004 and provided thousands of treatments to a dedicated clientele. She developed her integrative approach by combining mindfulness practices with normalization of soft tissue techniques, myofascial technique, trigger point therapy, and neuromuscular therapy, and she was known for her deep structural work.
Ms. Berkana served as a Board Director for the United States National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and as the Board Liaison to the NCBTMB Ethics and Standards Committee.
She is also an NCBTMB Approved Continuing Education Provider.
Her career has included developing and overseeing massage therapy programs for high-end spas and resorts, health clubs, chiropractic offices, and educational ventures. Early on, she created and launched a destination spa program for a resort in the jungles of Belize, where she provided massage, spa treatments, strength training, nutritional counseling, and guided tours. There she began her passionate exploration into natural medicines, of which she remains a devoted proponent.
In 2004 she founded the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (CRSMT), serving as Curriculum Architect, Acting Director, Academic Dean, and Senior Bodywork Instructor for the “Jungle Massage School” from its inception through fall 2011. She went on to found the Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy, where she originated the Berkana Style of Bodywork, designed the comprehensive curriculum, and serves as President over all operational, student, and faculty affairs. She is the owner and caretaker of the Historic Allen House.
She developed the Berkana Education Methodology around a holistic healthcare model committed to building an ethical bridge between eastern/traditional and western/modern approaches to bodywork, and she is the originator of the creative bodywork approach known as Mindful Expressionism®.
Her passion extends to integrating bodywork, nutrition, movement practices, and trauma resolution. Alongside her long-term success in massage therapy, Ms. Berkana has extensive experience as an international entrepreneur and business professional, and she provides expert consultation for resorts and spas internationally. She is a published author and an expert witness in cases involving the massage therapy and bodywork profession.
As a devoted mentor, she advocates for living your best life by pushing beyond the comfort zone. As a leader of the profession, she prides herself on retaining her autonomy at all costs. She is a passionate advocate and ambassador for massage therapy and is excited about the future of this healing art.
Ms. Berkana has a moderate case of acquired savant syndrome resulting from a traumatic brain injury sustained in a 1995 car accident, a condition that ultimately informs her way of operating in the world. She is a World Massage Therapy Hall of Fame inductee. Now retired, she continues to oversee all aspects of the Berkana Institute and regularly joins current students as a special guest speaker.
Berkana Expert Witness
An Impartial Expert Witness Offering Support for Legal Cases Involving Massage Therapy and Bodywork
Ms. Jill Berkana is an esteemed and impartial expert witness specializing in legal massage therapy and bodywork cases. With her extensive knowledge and expertise, Ms. Berkana provides unbiased education and comprehensive support to litigators, juries, and judges. She upholds the highest standards in her profession by adhering to the most current best practices and cutting-edge standards in hygiene, ethics, and professionalism.
As a pioneer in educating massage therapists as legitimate healthcare providers, and school founder, Ms. Berkana brings a unique perspective to legal cases. She served on the US National Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and acted as Board Director and Board Liaison for the Ethics and Standards Committee. With her unwavering commitment to objectivity and thorough support, she is available as an expert witness throughout the United States and abroad.
Ms. Berkana's exceptional qualifications stem from her 35 years in the profession, her role as the Founder and curriculum architect for both the highly esteemed Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy and the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy.
Through her extensive experience and contributions to the field, Ms. Berkana possesses an in-depth understanding of massage therapy and bodywork. She remains at the forefront of the industry, continually integrating the most current best practices and highest standards. She is an internationally known pioneer in the field who recognizes the importance of elevating the profession and ensuring that massage therapists meet rigorous standards in delivering safe and effective care to their clients and patients.
In addition to providing expert testimony, Ms. Berkana offers comprehensive support to legal efforts. She conducts thorough research, attends meetings, and produces articles supporting the case. By providing these additional resources, Ms. Berkana ensures that litigators, juries, and judges have access to valuable information, thereby fostering a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter.
Through her unbiased approach, Ms. Berkana presents relevant facts, industry standards, and professional boundaries to facilitate comprehension and informed decision-making.
She focuses on offering clear explanations of nuances involved in technique execution and the complex dynamics of the therapeutic relationship, empowering all parties to make well-informed judgments.
Travel and Availability: Ms. Berkana is dedicated to providing expert witness services internationally. Regardless of the geographical location, she can travel throughout the United States and abroad.
To engage Ms. Jill Berkana as an expert witness, email jill@berkanainstitute.com or call 303-377-3111 ext. 3. You can also schedule a complimentary discovery call with her at your convenience with her here.