Bereishis Foundation is a nonprofit that helps families pay for psychotherapy for children and teens when they cannot afford it. The organization focuses on youth up to age 18 who need mental health treatment but face financial and systemic barriers to accessing care. Families apply through an online process, and, if eligible, the foundation provides funding so that high-quality therapy is accessible regardless of the family’s financial situation.

Funding is structured to minimize red tape and protect dignity. Applications are submitted by a parent or legal guardian for a child or teen aged 0–18, with eligibility based on documented financial hardship, lack of insurance coverage (or a denial of coverage), and the absence of other communal funding for therapy. Once approved, Bereishis Foundation pays therapists directly for sessions, rather than reimbursing families. Parents are able to choose their own licensed U.S.-based clinician, and the foundation emphasizes privacy; information is kept confidential and there are clear policies around missed appointments and ongoing review of cases.

Beyond direct funding, Bereishis Foundation runs the Department of Ruach & Resilience, which partners with schools, parents, and communities to strengthen emotional wellbeing. This department offers teacher training, student workshops, ready-to-use lesson series, and classroom coaching that combine Jewish values with resilience skills, regulation, and restorative practices. It also includes a Teen Resilience Program, focused on identity, courage, safety, and healthy communication, as well as parent- and family-focused workshops and programs that help caregivers recognize when professional help is needed and how to support children at home.

The organization also curates a detailed Additional Resources section, listing other Jewish and general mental health services, including therapy funds, referral organizations, and low-cost or specialized supports. This allows families, schools, and professionals to explore alternative or supplementary options when Bereishis funding is not available or when additional types of help are needed, positioning the foundation as both a direct funder and a broader connector within the mental health support landscape.