Multi-Systemic Therapy

Definition

Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) is an intensive community-based and in-home treatment program designed to make positive changes in the various social systems. This family-driven and youth-guided therapy looks to issues such as home, school, community, and peer relations that contribute to the anti-societal behaviors of youth at risk of commitment into the juvenile justice system.

Treatment Goal

The major goal of MST is to empower parents with the skills and resources needed to address the difficulties in raising teenagers, while empowering youth to cope with family, peer, school, and neighborhood problems. Therapist works in the home and community to place developmentally appropriate demands on the adolescent and family for responsible behavior.  Intervention strategies are integrated into a social-ecological context and include family therapy, behavioral parent training, and cognitive behavior therapy.

Population

MST will target chronic or serious male or female juvenile offenders, ages 12 to 17, which are at high risk of commitment to Division of Youth Services (DYS).  Referrals will be from the juvenile courts or from DYS.

Service Duration

The usual duration of MST is approximately sixty (60) hours of contact over four (4) months, but frequency and duration of sessions are determined by a family’s need.