Video captures efforts of MST therapists in Chile, highlights their good work

It is funny how the universe finds ways to answer the desires of the heart. Almost 20 years ago, I was a young missionary in the community of La Florida in Santiago, Chile. I came to love the Chilean people and was fortunate to have many close friendships with the Chilean women I met. They took care of me and made me part of their families. 

As a surrogate family member, I was privy to the many heartaches and trials these women faced in rearing their children. 

Staten Island MST-CAN program can and does make a difference

Just the thought of a parent becoming violent toward his or her child causes a pretty visceral reaction in many people. Most of us love and want to protect children, and the subject of child abuse and neglect makes us feel helpless and hopeless. What can be done with and for a parent who beats a child?

There’s no doubt that it’s a challenge. But there are options other than removing the child from the home.

Four members of the Staten Island Family Services MST-CAN team

Fabiana Castro Brahm, an MST program developer, in the spotlight

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is practiced in multiple languages and dialects—13, to be exact—across 16 countries around the world. Next to English, Spanish is spoken as a primary language by the most MST families, accounting for 15 percent of all those being treated.

He owned pistols at age 12, but with MST was able to get a fresh start

I’m a sucker for a great success story. Whether it is an athlete’s training that results in a fantastic win or listening to my neighbor’s story about beating cancer. I think it is my love of people conquering great odds that attracted me to the Multisystemic Therapy (MST) treatment model almost a dozen years ago. The process of change is fascinating, and it’s good to be a part of a program that helps families use the therapeutic process to create their own success stories.