Inaugural award winner from the Marcus Buckingham Company

Leaders Leading Leaders Award

Certified Addictions Professional, State of Florida

Certified Addictions Professional

We are an independent, nonprofit organization focused on advancing the quality of services you use to meet your needs for the best possible outcomes.

CARF provides accreditation services worldwide at the request of health and human service providers. Whether you are seeking rehabilitation for a disability, treatment for addiction and substance abuse, home and community services, retirement living, or other health and human services, you can have confidence in your choice. Providers that meet our standards have demonstrated their commitment to being among the best available.

CARF International

Experienced executive in behavioral healthcare, Michael joined CARF in 2013. He is a certified addictions professional and has more than 30 years of experience as a clinician, manager, and executive working in mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual disabilities. He was a CARF surveyor for 16 years. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications and a master’s degree in communications, both from the University of Central Florida.

Office Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT)

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

Mental Health (Severe Mental Illness) Practice and Policy

Suicide Prevention

Substance Use Disorders

Addictions Counselling

Performance Management

Behavioral Health Stigma

Addictions Treatment

CARF International Meet the leadership

CARF Accreditation: It's Not An Event, It's A Process

New CARF standards address variability of care in office-based opioid treatment settings

Ill Treatment podcast

Suicide prevention standards address public health crisis

CARF’s specialty standards for older adults address the coming demographic shift among persons served

Baby Boomers Haven't Forgotten How to Get High

Understanding the ASAM Level of Care Certification Program

Translating evidence to practice – Leveraging accreditation standards to promote best practices in suicide care

Measurement-Based Care

Accreditation and Certification Programs For Medical Homes & Health Homes: Where Are We Now, & Where Are We Headed in the Future?

The Future of Behavioral Healthcare, Keynote Address

Michael Johnson at The National Council's Hill Day

Michael Johnson presenting at the 2019 Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention executive committee meeting

Michael Johnson moderates a town hall session titled: Behavioral Health: A National Perspectives Town Hall

Michael Johnson leading an International Standards Advisory Committee to develop new standards for Medication Assisted Treatment Programs

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Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health

CARF International Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health Michael Johnson is a contributor of this terrific two-part series on substance use relapse from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.NATCON and partnering contributors from CARF International, National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), and the Recovery Research Institute are excited to release the Demystifying Relapse series, which includes two issue briefs that explore the complex dynamics of substance use disorder recurrence and the difficulty of reengaging individuals in the recovery process. “I’m grateful to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing for the opportunity to work with them on these two important documents. The U.S. is facing unprecedented challenges in treating persons with substance use disorders, with access to care continuing to be difficult for many. The field, the payers, and the public at large needs to take time to recalibrate how treatment and return to use are viewed in order to have realistic expectations for care, to destigmatize what it means for a person to return to use, and to ensure there is appropriate types of care available to those who need to re-enter the treatment systems,” said Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health Michael Johnson. “Only when we recognize that persons who return to use need to have care that is individualized to assist them to stabilize, not start over, can we better ensure that treatment systems are more accessible based on the needs of persons served. The treatment for any chronic illness can be difficult as the path to wellness is often not linear. I hope these two papers can start a dialogue on how to reframe the systems to better meet the needs of those who continue with the recurrence of symptoms.”Michael Johnson is the CARF International Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health. If you are looking to know more or connect with Michael, view his profile below to arrange an interview today. 

Demystifying Relapse: 2-part series on substance use disorder recurrence and treatment

expert-podcasts-carf-accreditation-is-a-process-not-an-event

Recently, CARF International's Michael Johnson sat down with Simplifyance™ for a great conversation of all things accreditation. The podcast link is provided below.Simplifyance™ had the privilege of speaking with Michael Johnson, Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health for CARF International. We delved into the world of accreditation, discussing its immense value, the supportive process for organizations during surveys, and uncovering key best practices. CARF is renowned for its commitment to ensuring excellence in healthcare delivery and service outcomes. Michael shared valuable insights into the accreditation process and shed light on how CARF assists organizations in achieving survey success. Michael emphasized the importance of person-centered care, evidence-based practices, and fostering a culture of accountability and learning. These elements are crucial in driving positive outcomes and delivering compassionate, effective care to those in need.And if you're a interested in knowing more about accreditation or the work CARF International does — let us help with your questions.Michael Johnson is Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health at CARF and is an expert in treatment strategies for mental health and substance use disorder. View his profile below to arrange an interview today.

#Expert Podcasts: CARF Accreditation is a process, not an event

988-what-is-it-and-who-will-it-help

Starting July 16, anyone experiencing substance use issues, a suicidal crisis, or mental health-related distress and seeking support can now simply dial “988” and connect directly with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.988’s implementation will strengthen and expand the current lifeline call-center infrastructure and capacity to ensure that trained crisis counselors are available via call, text, and chat 24 hours a day.CARF proudly joins the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and more than 250 partner organizations collaborating as promoters of the 988 Messaging Framework. About 988988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365, connecting those experiencing a crisis with a network of trained crisis counselors located throughout the U.S.Access is available through every landline, cell phone, and voice-over-internet device in the nation.988 call services are available in Spanish, along with interpretation services in multiple languages. Text and chat are currently available in English only.A long-term goal of 988 is building a robust nationwide crisis response system that links callers to community-based providers that can deliver a full range of crisis care services (e.g., mobile crisis teams or stabilization centers), if needed.And if you're a reporter looking to know more about the new 988 call services, or the role CARF and other organizations are playing in this nationwide effort,  let us help with your questions and coverage.Michael Johnson is Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health at CARF and is an expert in treatment strategies for mental health and substance use disorders. Michael is available to speak with media regarding this topic; simply click on his expert icon to arrange an interview today.

988: What is it and who will it help?

http://www.carf.org
CARF's Behavioral Health Managing Director Michael Johnson's interview on the "One Hour at a Time" radio show. Michael speaks about the CARF standards for Behavioral Health during the one-hour broadcast. The show is hosted by Mary Woods, CEO of WestBridge Community Services in New Hampshire. WestBridge's programs are CARF-accredited.
http://www.carf.org

Interview with CARF Behavioral Health Managing Director Michael Johnson

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