Chana Kaiman Joins Bereishis Foundation to Lead Mental Health Initiative in New York Schools

In a significant step toward addressing the growing need for mental health support in educational settings, the Bereishis Foundation proudly announced today, August 5, 2025, the onboarding of Chana Kaiman, LCSW-RPT, as its Education & School Relations Lead. With over 15 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist, Kaiman is poised to spearhead a transformative initiative to promote mental health awareness and resources in New York schools and communities, with plans for future expansion.

---

Chana Kaiman’s Background and Expertise

Chana Kaiman, based in Brooklyn, New York, holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Yeshiva University and has dedicated her career to supporting individuals, children, and families through life’s challenges. Her therapeutic philosophy is grounded in the belief that “healing happens in relationships-and that’s especially true in families.” Kaiman’s approach is person-centered and trauma-informed, emphasizing compassion, safety, and connection.

Her expertise spans working with children (ages 4–12), adolescents (12–18), young adults (18–24), and parents. As a registered play therapist, Kaiman uses play as a powerful tool to help children express emotions they may struggle to articulate. She integrates techniques such as narrative therapy, mindfulness, and somatic awareness to create tailored treatment plans that address issues like anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and family conflict. Her work is driven by the conviction that every individual has an innate drive toward healing, facilitated by safe and attuned relationships.

Chana integrates IFS Trauma Therapy and Filial Family Therapy as a technique to build resilience, competence and empathy based on an understanding of somatic/inner child experiences both from an experiential and theoretical point of view.

Kaiman’s extensive experience includes running Empowerment Insight-Na’aleh, a group practice in Brooklyn focused on promoting personal strength in children. Empowerment Insight currently has locations in Long Island, NY and Prospect Heights/Crown Heights. She is an adjunct professor at Touro College, and she chairs the outreach committee at the New York Association for Play Therapy.

She is also a recognized speaker, having presented at the International Nefesh Conference, NYS OMH Regional Conference, Neshamos, the MOOCH Center, and has been featured on various podcasts including the Zev Brenner Show and JROOT Radio, where she shares insights on parenting and family therapy.

---

Role at the Bereishis Foundation

As the Education & School Relations Lead, Kaiman will lead a new initiative to integrate mental health education and support into New York’s schools and communities. Her role involves collaborating with educators, administrators, and community leaders to develop programs that normalize mental health discussions and provide accessible resources. The initiative, launched today, will initially focus on New York, leveraging local partnerships to create a scalable model for broader impact.

Kaiman’s efforts will include:

– Training Educators: Equipping teachers and school staff with the skills to recognize and address mental health concerns.

– Creating Safe Spaces: Fostering environments where students feel comfortable expressing their emotions.

– Empowering Parents: Providing resources and workshops to help parents advocate for their children’s mental well-being.

Her work aligns with the Bereishis Foundation’s mission to ensure that no child is denied therapy due to financial barriers. By bringing mental health resources directly to schools, Kaiman aims to make support more accessible and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.

---

The Bereishis Foundation’s Mission

Founded by Azriel Boymelgreen in memory of his cousin Dovid Horowitz, who struggled with mental illness, the Bereishis Foundation is dedicated to providing financial support for children’s psychotherapy. The foundation operates on the principle that parents should have the freedom to choose therapists who understand their child’s cultural and personal background. It addresses barriers such as racism, antisemitism, and financial hardship, ensuring equitable access to mental health care.

The foundation’s work is particularly critical in Brooklyn and beyond, where many families face challenges affording therapy. By offering grants that fully or partially cover licensed therapy, the Bereishis Foundation empowers families to access life-changing care. Kaiman’s initiative builds on this mission by extending support into educational settings, where early intervention can make a significant difference.

---

Focus on New York and Future Expansion

The Bereishis Foundation’s new mental health initiative, under Kaiman’s leadership, will initially target New York schools and communities. This focused approach allows the foundation to establish a robust framework that can be refined and expanded to other regions in the future. New York’s diverse educational landscape provides an ideal starting point to test and scale programs that address the unique needs of students and families.

Kaiman’s strategy includes partnering with schools to integrate mental health education into curricula, offering workshops for parents, and creating peer support networks for students. By starting locally, the foundation aims to build a model that can be adapted to other communities, addressing the national youth mental health crisis.

---

Impact and Vision

The core goal of Kaiman’s initiative is to normalize mental health conversations, ensuring that seeking help is viewed as a strength rather than a stigma. “Therapy can help you live in the present moment and grow strong tools that anchor you,” Kaiman states. “Don’t allow the past to limit you.” This message of empowerment is central to her work, encouraging students and families to embrace mental health support as a normal part of life.

By fostering open dialogue, the initiative aims to create resilient communities where mental well-being is prioritized. This is particularly vital given the rising mental health challenges among youth, as noted in recent efforts by New York City to expand school-based mental health clinics. Kaiman’s work complements these efforts, focusing on prevention and education to support long-term emotional health.

---

Key Details of Chana Kaiman’s Work

Aspect	Details
Education	Master’s in Social Work, Yeshiva University
Credentials	Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Registered Play Therapist (RPT)
Experience	Over 15 years in mental health, specializing in children and families
Therapeutic Approach	Person-centered, trauma-informed, using narrative therapy, mindfulness, IFS
Role at Bereishis	Board Member, Education & School Relations Lead
Foundation Mission	Provide financial support for children’s psychotherapy, promote awareness
Key Initiative	Destigmatizing mental health in New York schools through education and training

---

Conclusion

With Chana Kaiman’s expertise and leadership, the Bereishis Foundation is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on mental health awareness and support in New York schools and communities. Her appointment today marks the beginning of a promising initiative that has the potential to transform lives by fostering a culture of openness and healing. As the foundation looks to expand its reach, Kaiman’s work will serve as a cornerstone for building resilient, mentally healthy communities.

---

Citations:

• CrownHeights.info – Healing Without Barriers
• Psychology Today – Chana Kaiman Profile
• Zocdoc – Chana Kaiman
• Nashim Magazine – Shalom Bayis and Parenting
• The Zev Brenner Show – Guest Interview with Chana Kaiman
• New York Association for Play Therapy – Committee Listings