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Senior Director of Behavioral Health | The Arc Central Chesapeake Region
Cindy Lindgren has more than 30 years of experience in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities and is an experienced senior director in both the private and government administration sectors. Her primary focus is leading behavioral health development and quality enhancement systems. She has also led the Developmental Disabilities Administration statewide Quality Enhancement department and consulted with families and organizations to support people’s mental health through a trauma-informed lens.
To commemorate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Lindgren shares her insight.
What inspired you to pursue a career working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
During graduate school, I became involved with young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I was so impressed with all they were doing, but I was concerned that they had very little opportunity to talk with a counselor about their thoughts and concerns. Everyone should have that opportunity.
How does The Arc’s unique behavioral health program help people address their needs and achieve better quality of life?
Behavioral health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities frequently only provides assistance via traditional behavioral supports. At The Arc, we take a different approach. We look at the whole person—their experiences, relationships, hopes, dreams, and fears. We focus on the mind, body, and spirit and provide traditional therapy as well as behavioral support from a trauma-informed care perspective. This means that we understand how a person’s previous experiences influence how they feel or act in the moment. The mental health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is often discounted and overlooked. We believe that starting with mental health first offers people the support they need to achieve the quality of life they desire.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?
It’s so rewarding when someone tells me that they feel supported by one of our clinicians—that they really listen to them and help them find ways to cope with life. When someone feels supported, they are not alone. They know there are techniques to get them through the difficult times and celebrate the good things in life. It’s also gratifying when a clinician tells me that they have found where they belong, where they truly make a difference.
Cindy Lindgren | The Arc Central Chesapeake Region | 999 Corporate Blvd, #300 | Linthicum, MD 21090 | 410-269-1883 | thearcccr.org
