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| multi systemic therapy (MST) |
What is MST?
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) offers new hope to young people with serious conduct problems. MST is a strengths-based, comprehensive treatment program individualized to youth and their families. Families are viewed as the key to success.
MST has been the focus of a number of major research studies that have demonstrated long-term improved clinical outcomes and cost effetiveness.
How does MST use a "home based" model?
- All services are provided in the home, school, neighborhood and/or community.
- The MST program is short term (3 to 5 months)
- Treatment is intensive (2 to 4 sessions weekly)
- Caseloads for therapists are small (4 to 6 families per therapist)
- MST therapists work in teams and provide coverage for each other's caseloads
- Each team has a supervisor and an outside MST consultant expert from the Center for Innovative Practices who consult weekly on all cases.
What services are provided by the MST therapist?
Any combination of the following services could be provided to the youth and their family, as needed, within the MST program:
- Family Therapy
- Indiviudal sessions with parents
- Substance use assessment and treatment
- Evaluation of the youth's peer network and arranging alternate activities
- Consultation with schools
- Coordinating activities with school systems, court, and/or other social service agencies
- Appearing at court hearings with the family
- Arranging for additional services as needed
What makes MST work?
MST targets those factors shown to be linked to recidivism. Research studies or youth who break the law repeatedly and/or abuse illegal substances are clear that the causes of juvenile offending are difficulties in the following areas:
- Family Relations
- School Performance
- Peer Relations
- Neighborhood and community relations
MST interventions focus on key aspects of these area's in each youth's life. All interventions are designed in full collaboration with family members and key figures in each area of the child's life- parents or legal guardians, school teachers and principals, etc.
What can a family expect with MST?
- Therapy provided by a Master's Level licensed clinician
- Assessment and treatment that addresses the youth's problems in the context of their family, school, peers, and community.
- Collaboration with parents and caregivers to more effectively address the needs of the youth
- Understanding of the "fit" between the youth's problems and the factors which contribute to them
- Focus on helping parents and caregivers build supportive social networks
- Emphasis on long-term change that families can maintain after the program ends
- Inclusion of all members of the family and/or household
- Commitment to keeping the youth in the home while MST is involved
- Access to the MST therapist 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the crisis line
Population:
MST is designed to work with youth between the ages of 11-17 who are at risk for out of home placement due to their behavior. Examples of conduct problems targeted in MST:
- Delinquent offenses (i.e. assault, robbery, theft, vandalism)
- Unruly offenses (i.e. curfew violations, running away, disobedience)
- Aggression (i.e. fighting, property destruction)
- Drug and alcohol use
- School difficulties (i.e. truancy, explusions/suspensions)
MST is not a good match for youth in placement (unless a return to the family will occur within six weeks), actively suicidal or homicidal, or youth with conduct problems that are due to a more severe psychiatric problem. Examples include psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mania and PPD spectrum disorders (i.e. Autism, Asperger's)
Licensed By:
Ohio Department of Mental Health
If you have questions please Contact:
Daphne Luttrell, Intake Coordinator, at 416-8709
Melanie McClellan, Director of MST Services, at 402-3014
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