Emma Castro is a Psychology PhD student at ISCTE-IUL. Her thesis consists of five studies that aim to identify the critical factors that contribute to the success of Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC). Her passion centres around the application of research to create positive change for those most vulnerable, with a focus on the provision of quality, youth-friendly health services that actually make a long-term difference. Since completing a B.Sc Honours in Psychology (University of Westminster) and an MSc in Mental Health and Psychological Therapies (Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry), she has gained scientific and professional experience which has been critical to the success of her PhD journey. From evaluating child and mental health services (inpatient units) in the spirit of quality improvement in the UK to delivering and evaluating the Specialist Brain Injury Service to veterans in the context of a 2-armed randomised controlled clinical trial; her interest in quality of care stems back many years.