Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is
an outcome-driven prevention/intervention program for youth who have
demonstrated the entire range of maladaptive, acting-out behaviors and related
syndromes. FFT is named to reflect the
core
unit
which represents the primary focus (
family
), and an overriding allegiance to positive outcome (functional).
- Program Targets:
Youth, aged 11-18, at risk for and/or presenting with delinquency, violence,
substance use, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or
Disruptive Behavior Disorder.
- Program Content: FFT
requires as few as 8-12 hours of direct service time for commonly referred
youth and their families, and generally no more than 26 hours of direct
service time even for the most severe problem situations.
- Delivery Modes:
Flexible delivery of services by one and two person teams to clients
in-home, clinic, Juvenile Court, and at time of reentry from institutional
placement.
- Implementation: Wide
range of interventionists, including para-professionals under supervision,
trained probation officers, mental health technicians, degreed mental health
professionals (e.g., MSW, Ph.D., MD, RN, MFT).
This program provides youth and
their families with an average of twelve sessions of family therapy. Youth who
participate score moderate to high risk on the juvenile court risk assessment
tool. The therapy is intended to reduce negativity and blaming within the
family and to increase the family's hope that change can be accomplished. The
therapy focuses on identifying obtainable goals for the family and developing
a behavior change program. The therapy also encourages a generalization stage
that helps the family find external support for ongoing change. The program
expects to improve the family functioning and to change the youth's attitudes
and skills.
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