Family Therapy

Family Behavior Therapy (FBT) is a cost-effective, evidence-based treatment that uses innovative and easily learned behavioral therapies to achieve goals within a family context. It typically involves 12 to 16 outpatient sessions, each lasting about 60 to 90 minutes, throughout 4 to 6 months. FBT aims to optimize thoughts and behaviors, helping with mental health, family relationships, sobriety, substance management, employment, sports performance, self-protection, and home safety. The therapy includes a strategy to enhance participation and involves a series of assessments to tailor interventions to the family’s needs.

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an intensive, short-term therapeutic model that provides in-home family counseling. It addresses behaviors such as curfew violations, running away, truancy, and juvenile delinquency from a relational, family-based perspective. FFT aims to improve family relationships by assessing family dynamics, modifying communication, enhancing parenting skills, and supporting positive reinforcement within community contexts. The therapy typically involves weekly sessions over 3 to 6 months and includes all key family members. The FFT model comprises five phases: Engagement, Motivation, Relational Assessment, Behavior Change, and Generalization.

Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) is an evidence-based practice designed to treat externalizing and internalizing symptoms in youth aged 6-18 by restructuring problematic family interactions. It uses a structured, problem-focused, and directive approach to address issues like substance abuse, truancy, and bullying. BSFT involves identifying and changing maladaptive family interaction patterns to encourage positive behavior. The therapy typically consists of 12-17 weekly sessions, each lasting 60 to 90 minutes, and includes strategies like joining, diagnosis, and restructuring to improve family dynamics. BSFT is culturally competent and has been adapted for various populations and settings.

Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) is a family-centered treatment designed to help youth aged 10-26 who face challenges such as substance misuse, mental health issues, crime, delinquency, and family problems. MDFT aims to improve communication, daily functioning, and family cohesion. It addresses mental health symptoms, aggressive behavior, and negative peer relationships while enhancing school performance, family stability, and positive peer interactions. MDFT involves collaborative interventions that promote change within the youth, their family dynamics, and their interactions with the community. The therapy is widely implemented in various settings across the U.S. and Europe.

Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is an approach designed for families with a loved one struggling with substance use who is not interested in seeking help. CRAFT focuses on teaching families how to communicate positively, use positive reinforcement, and prioritize self-care. It aims to make sober behavior more rewarding for the loved one than substance use. CRAFT is a flexible, behavioral approach that adapts to the family’s needs and is more effective than traditional methods like 12-step programs, with a higher rate of encouraging loved ones to seek treatment.

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an intensive, family-focused treatment model for adolescents aged 12 to 17 who exhibit high-risk behaviors, including criminal activity and substance abuse. MST aims to promote pro-social behavior and reduce criminal activity, mental health issues, and substance use by addressing the core causes of delinquent and antisocial conduct. The therapy involves personalized intervention strategies based on an ecological assessment of the youth, their family, and their community. MST is typically delivered over 3 to 5 months, with services available 24/7, allowing for timely crisis management and flexible scheduling.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a short-term, goal-focused therapeutic approach that emphasizes constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. Developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, SFBT is future-oriented and aims to elicit positive emotions and hope. It involves identifying clients’ goals and exploring past successes or “exceptions” to develop practical solutions. SFBT is widely used in various fields, including mental health, education, and social services, due to its effectiveness and brevity. It focuses on clients’ strengths and resources to facilitate positive change among family members.

The various types of family counseling all work to resolve family problems and family dysfunction as they relate to substance abuse. They also seek to provide support for the family members of those who are struggling with substance abuse.

Family therapy enhances family communication by employing techniques such as active listening, open dialogue, and conflict resolution. These strategies help family members listen empathetically, express thoughts and emotions freely, and manage disputes constructively, leading to stronger relationships and fewer conflicts. In the long term, improved communication fosters greater family cohesion, resilience, and individual well-being, creating a supportive environment where all members feel understood and valued.

Family therapy assists families in setting boundaries and limits by using techniques like enhancing communication skills, clarifying roles, and facilitating negotiation. These strategies enable family members to express needs and expectations clearly, define personal and shared responsibilities, and reach mutually agreeable solutions. Healthy boundaries improve relationships by reducing misunderstandings and conflicts fostering respect and cooperation. Over time, these practices lead to stronger family dynamics and individual well-being, as family members feel more secure and supported in their roles.

Family therapy helps families recognize the importance of self-care by incorporating techniques like stress management, prioritizing personal time, and encouraging healthy habits. These practices enable family members to manage stress effectively, find time for personal interests, and adopt routines that promote physical and mental health. Emphasizing self-care leads to improved mental well-being and a stronger family system by fostering a supportive environment where each family member feels valued and rejuvenated. In the long term, prioritizing self-care enhances family dynamics and individual resilience, allowing families to thrive together.

Family therapy plays a crucial role in helping families rebuild trust in relationships by employing techniques such as open communication, empathy exercises, and accountability practices. Through family therapy, members learn to express feelings honestly, understand each other’s perspectives, and take responsibility for past actions, which are essential steps in restoring trust. As trust is rebuilt, family members experience stronger bonds and fewer conflicts, creating a more harmonious environment. Over time, the impact of family therapy extends beyond immediate relationships, fostering healthier family dynamics and enhancing individual well-being, as each member feels valued and secure.

Family therapy significantly aids families in achieving better outcomes in long-term recovery by utilizing techniques like collaborative goal setting, emotional support, and relapse prevention strategies. Through family therapy, members work together to establish shared recovery goals, provide mutual support, and develop strategies to prevent relapse. This collaborative approach in family therapy not only strengthens family cohesion but also promotes sustained sobriety, ensuring that each family member feels supported throughout the recovery journey. In the long run, family therapy enhances family dynamics and individual well-being, creating a nurturing environment for lasting recovery success.