What are evidence-based programs?
Evidence-based programs (EBPs) are techniques that have been put through rigorous testing to ensure the therapy is effective. By using a variety of EBPs, our therapists can tailor treatment strategies for each client.
Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
What is MST?
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is a unique, goal-oriented and comprehensive treatment program designed to serve 11- to 17-year-old, multi-problem youth in their community at risk of escalating to a higher level of care due to disruptive behaviors and/or substance use. MST focuses on “empowering” caregivers (parents/guardians) to solve problems while emphasizing long-term change that families can maintain after the program.
Who benefits most from MST?
MST is designed for children ages 11 to 17 who display or are reported to engage in negative behaviors. Our program can help with:​
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Substance (drug/alcohol) use
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Truancy and academic problems
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Criminal behavior
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Serious disrespect and disobedience
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Aggressive behavior (fighting, property destruction, etc.)
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Runaways
What makes MST work?
MST includes an emphasis on engagement with the youth's family, caregivers, and natural supports and is delivered in the recovery environment.
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MST seeks to understand the "fit" between the child's problems and the factors which contribute to them.
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Youth are observed within their network of systems including: family, peers, school and community.
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MST helps parents build supportive social networks and empowers parents to address the needs of the youth more effectively.
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MST is a rehabilitative intervention that can be used to divert higher levels of care and can also be used as a step-down.
Advantages of MST
MST is a home-based model, meaning:
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MST therapists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are dedicated solely to MST
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Services are provided in the home, school, and community
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Therapists have small caseloads, allowing for focused, intensive treatment and weekly contact
​Family Functional Therapy (FFT)
What is FFT?
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is a highly successful, trauma-informed, and evidence-based family therapy model for at-risk youth, ages 11 to 18. FFT helps youth reduce disruptive and/or substance using behaviors, establish more pro-social and functional behaviors, and stay in school.
Who benefits most from FFT?
FFT is designed for at-risk youth, ages 11-18, who have been referred for behavioral, emotional, and/or substance using problems. FFT has shown lasting improvements in:
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Behavior and mental health
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Family conflict and functionality
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Out-of-home placements
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Substance use
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School drop-out rates
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Sibling disruptive behaviors
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Criminal recidivism
How does FFT work?
FFT is a short-term program with an average of 12 to 14 sessions over three to five months. The program improves individual behaviors by utilizing these phases:
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Engagement - Develop the family’s positive perception of therapist and program and facilitate the family’s willingness to attend the first session.
Motivation - Increase hope and motivation for change while reducing family negativity and blaming and addressing risk- factors associated with treatment drop-out.
Relational Assessment - Identify relational functions, needs, and hierarchy within the family.
Behavior Change - Build youth and family member skills related to specific referral issues. Reduce family conflict and address family patterns that maintain the presenting problem
Generalization - Increase family resources and extra-familial support. Maintain and generalize changes while focusing on relapse prevention.​
FFT Outcomes
FFT shows positive outcomes across a wide range of youth and communities and has proven effective as an intervention model.
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Research has demonstrated FFT helps youth stay in school, promotes earlier cessation of drugand alcohol use, reduces disruptive behaviors, and establishes more pro-social and functionalbehaviors. Therapists work with families to modify family communication, train familymembers to negotiate effectively, and set clear rules about privileges and responsibilities.
​Homebuilders
Referral number: 804-585-0044
What is Homebuilders?
Homebuilders is an intensive in-home crisis intervention and family treatment program. It aims to keep children safe, while families work towards a level of functioning that allows children to be safely maintained in the home. The goal is to prevent the unnecessary out-of-home placement of children and safely reunify children and families.
Who benefits from Homebuilders?
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Families with children ages 0-18
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Families with children at imminent risk of out of home placement
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Families working towards reunification referrals
How does Homebuilders help?
Homebuilders aims to keep children safe while families work towards a level of functioning that allows children to be safely maintained in the home.
The goal of the program is to reduce the traumatic experiences of out-of-home placements, while teaching families the skills they need to prevent out-of-home placements.
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Homebuilders is delivered primarily in the family's home over the course of 4-6 weeks. The family has 24/7 access to the clinician and receive approximately 40 direct hours of treatment.
