MST (Multi-Systemic Therapy) is a
unique, goal-driven treatment program that works with parents/caregivers in all
of the “systems” in a child’s life: home, family, school, friends and
community. Families involved in MST get help
with everything that affects their child's behavior.
The Goals of MST are to:
--keep kids in their homes and out of formal institutions
--keep kids in school
--stop kids from getting new legal charges
--improve family relationships and functioning
--decrease alcohol and substance use
--get kids involved in positive social activities
--keep kids from hanging around with negative peers
The principles behind MST are:
--We help parents find the “fit” of their
kids' behaviors: what “drives” a child to fail in school,
get suspended, use marijuana or be physically or
verbally aggressive? If you know what contributes to a behavior, you know how to stop it!
--We focus on the positive. We see your
families' strengths and use those to help you change
those drivers to the child's behaviors.
--The interventions we will work on together
are designed to increase the effective, responsible
interactions between family members and those
between family members and other systems
(school, peers, community).
--We are focused on what's happening in the
present. The interventions we work on together
will be very specific and ACTION oriented.
--We will find the habits and patterns in
the way family members interact with each other and
those outside the family and help you change them
so that they are more effective and positive.
--We will be sure that any interventions we
work on are appropriate for your child’s age and
level of development.
--MST is hard work! It requires that
caregivers work on interventions daily and/or weekly…and
we will do whatever it takes to help you do that
work!
--MST is constantly evaluating our work
together to give you the best chance of success. The
MST therapist is held accountable for making sure
that we are working together effectively.
--The interventions and tools we use are
things that you can use even after we’re gone. And
we know that parents are the key to success!
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