Yaakov Barr is a psychotherapist, educator, and the creator of the Mastering Your Mind wellbeing programme.

With over two decades of experience working with young people, parents, and schools, he has focused his career on helping young people build emotional resilience, confidence, and practical life skills.

He is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and has worked across both clinical and educational settings, including supporting schools, training therapists, and advising organisations working with young people.

Why Mastering Your Mind was created

Through his clinical work, Yaakov has seen first-hand the difficulties young people face, from anxiety and low self-esteem to anger, relationships and everyday challenges.

Again and again, he found himself teaching young people practical psychological skills that could have made an enormous difference had they learned them earlier.

This became the driving force behind Mastering Your Mind: a structured school programme designed to teach these essential life skills before problems develop or become entrenched.

"Why wait until young people are struggling before teaching them the skills that could make such a difference?"

A values-led approach

The programme integrates proven cognitive-behavioural principles with Jewish values and perspectives, presented in a clear and accessible way.

Beyond the Classroom

Yaakov also hosts the Between the Lines podcast, exploring emotional wellbeing, resilience, and the challenges facing young people today.

Yaakov is also the Founder and CEO of JTeen, a UK-based youth mental health organisation providing confidential emotional support through its award-winning supportline and preventative programmes for young people.