Our Vision

To advance behavioral healthcare through research, education, and service that informs policy and improves societal outcomes.

Our Mission

The Foundation advances professional psychology and behavioral healthcare through research, education, and service that informs policy and practice.

Founded by Dr. Nicholas and Dorothy Cummings, the Foundation was established to advance behavioral health through scientific inquiry and professional leadership.
In 2003, it was reorganized as the Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health (CFBH), an independent 501(c)(3) private operating foundation.
Today, we are generously funded by The Nicholas & Dorothy Cummings Foundation and other supporters.
Our work honors the pioneering legacy of our founder, Dr. Nicholas Cummings.

All people deserve a chance to lead a life of dignity and purpose. We envision a world in which everyone has access to proven and effective behavioral healthcare so they can cope with challenges, have healthy relationships, manage stress and make better decisions. To accomplish this, we must evolve the profession of psychology and transform the very systems that hinder progress and change.

A Focus on Research

We support work across empirical research, professional training, and public-facing service that strengthens professional psychology and advances behavioral healthcare. We collaborate with researchers, academics, organizations, and other stakeholders to design and implement projects that can accelerate advancements in professional psychology.

Research
Supporting projects that apply empirical methods, observation, and experimentation to identify best practices in mental health and behavioral care.
Education
Advancing professional training through academic collaboration and continuing
education that strengthens ethical, effective psychological practice.
Service
Contributing scientific psychological knowledge to inform systems, policies, and practices that expand access to effective behavioral healthcare.

Our Research Areas

We operate with transparency and integrity in our relationships with donors, collaborators, staff, governing bodies, and the public, maintaining accountability in both process and outcomes.

LAW ENFORCEMENT
WELLNESS

Law enforcement professionals operate in high-stress environments that affect wellness, decision-making, and community interactions. The Foundation supports work that promotes evidence-based training, wellness interventions, and systemic reforms that improve safety outcomes for both officers and the communities they serve.

GUN VIOLENCE
PREVENTION

Gun violence is a significant public health concern with psychological, community, and economic consequences. The Foundation supports work that advances trauma-informed approaches, risk-reduction models, and community-centered interventions, promoting safety, resilience, and equitable access to prevention resources.

SOCIAL MEDIA
IMPACT

Social media has rapidly reshaped communication, identity development, and access to information. While it can foster connection, it also presents risks related to mental health, misinformation, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content. The Foundation supports research that clarifies risk pathways, promotes digital resilience, and informs policy and education efforts.

INTIMATE PARTNER
VIOLENCE

Intimate partner violence (IPV) impacts individuals across the lifespan and is associated with significant mental health effects, including trauma responses, depression, and disrupted relational functioning. The Foundation prioritizes research that advances culturally responsive care, improves prevention and screening, and addresses systemic barriers to safety and recovery.

A system of constant research, innovation, and program evaluation is critical to meeting the health and mental health needs of all Americans.

— Dr. Nicholas Cummings , founder