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.
From therapy to classroom
Yaakov saw the growing need for preventative, school-based wellbeing tools — resources that support young people before difficulties escalate.
This led to the creation of the award-winning book Mastering Your Mind, and later the Mastering Your Mind Workbook Programme, designed specifically for use in schools.
The programme translates proven psychological approaches into clear, age-appropriate tools that students can understand and apply.
Experience with Schools
As the founder of JTeen, Yaakov has worked closely with schools through support services, workshops, and training for educators and parents.
The workbook programme was shaped directly by feedback from educators seeking a structured, values-led resource that is easy to deliver and engaging for students.
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.
“Mastering Your Mind is a great book: highly readable, a lot of fun, packed with amazingly good advice, and very practical.”
"The importance of being of sound mind and countenance cannot be overemphasised. For this reason, I am particularly grateful to Yaakov for this initiative"
“This is a great book! Very accessible, light-hearted, and full of wisdom. Yaakov Barr offers scientifically proven, powerful CBT interventions and tailors them to suit the young Jewish adult reader. ”
“Yaakov Barr has written a comprehensive book rich with understanding and helpful supportive techniques, relevant to their challenges. . ”
“A wonderful book providing a vital resource for parents to help them simplify what is becoming an ever more complex role- supporting their teen on life’s journey. Congratulations on a very successful project.”
“I wish you had been around when I was a teen. How different life might have been armed with these hacks! How luck is this generation!”