How, exactly, does MST work?

     Because caregivers are the key to success, it is important that MST start as an active process of engagement between them and the MST therapist.  When a referral is assigned to a therapist, that therapist will call you to set up an appointment so that they can spend some time hearing your concerns and giving you information about MST so that you can decide whether the program is right for your family. 

     If you choose MST, your therapist will spend about two weeks making sure that they

understand your concerns and goals as well as the goals of the other systems involved in your

child’s life (school, court, children’s services, physician) by completing a very thorough assessment.

They will spend time finding and documenting your families’ unique strengths so that they can

use those strengths to help you make positive changes.  And they will begin introducing you to the

tools that will help you work most effectively together throughout services.

     MST’s goal is to keep a case open about 20 weeks.  Because we are a short term program, our services must be intense.  MST therapists have very small caseloads (4 to 6 families) so that they can commit to giving you 100% and we ask that families make the same commitment to the

program.  Essentially, we ask families to commit to meeting with us in the home 3 to 3 ½ hours per week.  In addition, we will be working alongside you to work with your child’s school, help you

keep your child away from negative peers, and get your child into a positive social activity.

     Your therapist is a part of a small team of no more than 5 professionals who are trained to

provide MST in Richland County.   Every MST team has a supervisor and an MST expert who

consults with the team weekly.  The MST team meets regularly to review all family situations

 so that if You need to call us in the middle of the night, you will be speaking to someone who

knows who you are and how to most effectively help you in a crisis.  One team member is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week with NO exceptions.  If you need us, we’re there.  We work when you are available so if we need to meet early in the morning or late in the evening--even on a weekend--in order to accommodate your schedule, then that’s what we do.