Behavioral health challenges among children and youth are becoming increasingly complex, requiring behavioral health providers to deliver care that is individualized, evidence-driven, and responsive to changing needs. By incorporating regular feedback directly from clients into the treatment process, Measurement-Based Care (MBC) is an effective way for providers to better meet the needs of young people in treatment. Not only does MBC help clinicians understand client needs and adapt care plans accordingly, it helps to meaningfully strengthen therapeutic relationships and drive improved outcomes.
Recognizing the utility and value of MBC in these settings, CARF now requires MBC (also known as Measurement-Informed Care), as part of their 2025 updated standards for accreditation for child and youth organizations. To explore what these changes mean in practice, our upcoming session, Advancing Child & Youth Behavioral Health with Measurement-Based Care, will bring together leaders at the forefront of this work, including CARF’s Theresa Lindberg, Managing Director of Child and Youth Services. Ahead of the discussion on September 30th, we’re excited to spotlight Theresa and the expertise she brings to the field.
Meet Theresa Lindberg
Theresa Lindberg has dedicated her career to advancing child and youth behavioral health. With over 13 years of experience as a licensed professional counselor in Arizona, she has supported children and families through both individual therapy and community-based services, while also working at the system level to expand access to care. Her efforts have included streamlining in-home service procedures and forging partnerships with more than 25 schools to ensure students could access much-needed mental health support.
Theresa holds two Master of Science degrees from the University of Phoenix, one in Counseling/Community Counseling and another in Organizational Management, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies from the University of Arizona. She joined CARF in 2021 as a Resource Specialist and, just three years later, was appointed Managing Director of Child and Youth Services.
Since stepping into this leadership role, Theresa has guided CARF’s child and youth programs through significant growth and innovation. Under her direction, CARF has enhanced standards for crisis programs, suicide screening and prevention, and shelter programs for children, youth, and families, changes that reflect her commitment to quality, client voice, and evidence-informed care.
As she shared upon accepting the role: “I am excited for the opportunity to continue to work with the field on improving services to enhance the lives of children, youth, young adults, and families. I am also very proud to be part of an organization that promotes the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services.”
Theresa’s leadership continues to shape how CARF supports organizations across North America, helping providers elevate the quality of youth services and achieve better outcomes for the children and families they serve.
About CARF
Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services in the areas of aging services, behavioral health, child and youth services, employment and community services, medical rehabilitation, and opioid treatment programs. Learn more about CARF’s updated 2025 Behavioral Health Standards for MBC.
We are thrilled to have Theresa join us for our upcoming webinar, where she’ll share insights on youth-specific MBC implementations, and how MBC is driving better outcomes for children and youth.
Register now for the session happening on September 30th at 1 PM ET: Advancing Child & Youth Behavioral Health with Measurement-Based Care.
