It took Multisystemic Therapy for this young man to realize where his passion lies

Ben was very young when trouble started. While hanging with some much older boys in the neighborhood, he took part in a serious crime. The smallest in the group, Ben crawled into a doggy door and unlocked an empty house for the older kids. Once inside, the boys caused significant damage and even set a series of small fires. After the police were called by neighbors, Ben admitted to his involvement and ultimately assisted the fire inspectors with their investigation. He was, however, charged with arson and placed on probation. For many young people who find themselves in legal trouble, negative peer association is a contributing factor. This can often lead to pulling away from positive peers and activities, trouble in school and at home. Luckily, Ben and his family found the support they needed from Multisystemic Therapy (MST). 

Multisystemic Therapy helps family get their daughter back

Wow. Where should I begin? Best to start at the beginning. Two years ago, our teenage daughter began having behavioral issues. To us, she did a 180 overnight, and we had no idea what was happening. She left home without permission, became physically and verbally aggressive toward us, used substances, had problems at school and got in trouble with the law. She was like a different child, and we had no idea what had changed or what to do about it. 

We looked all over for help ranging from hospital stays to police encounters, and the only answers we received were to call Child Protective Services or put her in a group home. We were so lost. 

Then came Touchstone, a provider of evidence-based programs in Phoenix—and Multisystemic Therapy. At Touchstone, we met Andrea. She did our intake and was assigned our MST therapist. She was so refreshing. 

Accepting help is its own kind of strength--a success story as told by an MST therapist

When I initially contacted Arturo’s mother by phone, she was very reluctant about receiving Multisystemic Therapy (MST). She felt it was Arturo, on probation at the time, who needed therapy, not her. As soon as I sensed her pushback, I eased her apprehension by suggesting we meet in person, promising her that once I explained the services in detail, it would all make sense to her. During the first session, mother was engaged and very intrigued on how MST would work. Once she opened up to the possibility that I could help her help Arturo change his behaviors, she began to slowly buy in. 

Their home was small, but warm and welcoming. Our sessions were always held at the dining table with their two friendly and adorable cats, Babe and Buddha, pleading for attention. Luckily for me, I’m a cat lover, so it was a wonderful way to engage with the family. In addition to Babe and Buddha, there was sometimes a rambunctious, but cute 2–year-old named Mario running around and crawling in and out from under the table.

Two out-of-control teens felt unmanagable until MST stepped in

The Anderson family was lost in conflict. Despite Ms. Anderson trying various programs and services and having the support of the Department of Children’s Social Care, her family was embroiled in constant conflict. Two of her children were referred for Multisystemic Therapy (MST). Her son was physically aggressive at home with his siblings and mother. He was abusing drugs and disruptive at school. Her daughter was also aggressive toward family members and was not attending school. Ms. Anderson was suffering from depression and unable to make a change in the family dynamics. Lauren, from the MST-FIT team, was assigned to the family, and things began to change.

A child talks about his experience with Multisystemic Therapy

Capturing the voice of the young person is often difficult in MST, but it is a critical part of the story that begs to be told. Community stakeholders and families alike often ask, “What about the young person? How does this program impact his or her life?” During a recent event, the Trafford MST team in the UK found a unique way to bring the voice of the young person to life.

This powerful video helps all of us understand – “what is it MST like?” from the perspective of the the child. 

The last stop before placement: Multisystemic Therapy

At 15, Charlotte had one foot out the door on the way to secure accommodation placement. While she had her grandmother, Doreen, who loved her and was her primary caregiver, as well as an uncle and her mother in the same household, Charlotte’s behaviors were so risky that professionals involved with the family felt that sending her to a secure placement was the only way to keep her safe. 

Thanksgiving, that wonderful holiday when turkey abounds and families get together to enjoy each other’s company. Oh yes, and to give thanks for all they have. One woman is grateful to her MST therapist for making it possible to enjoy the company of her 16-year-old sister, who had been in and out of trouble and court, and was heading toward placement.

We were in court again because C had messed up. Another arrest. And that wasn’t all she was doing. She wasn’t going to school at all. Some days, I’d drop her off, and she’d sneak out the back door as soon as I left. She would run away for weeks at a time, staying at her boyfriend’s house all hours of the day and night. She was smoking marijuana and doing God knows what else. When she was home, she was disrespectful, and we argued. She was stealing from me, stealing from stores, and hanging out with friends that I didn’t approve of—the type of friends who ended up on the news because of the stuff they were involved in. I had to deal with all of this because I took in my sister when no one else was left to take care of her. Not to mention I had four of my own children to take care of, the youngest barely four months old that day in court. 

MST mends family, paving road to duccess

“It’s not going to work. Nothing has worked in the past.”

All too familiar words heard when an MST therapist takes on a case. Father Matthew and stepmother Linda had their doubts when their 17-year-old son, Michael, was referred to the MST program at Adelphoi Village. Michael was aggressive at home and struggled with academics and school attendance. The family tried a series of formal support programs over the years. Nothing worked. The boy’s parents were sure he wouldn’t change and that he would probably “fire” the MST therapist just as he had so many others before.

Evidence-based interventions in Pennsylvania yield reductions in placement rates

The state of Pennsylvania has a long history of doing right by its high-risk youth. It followed the example set by Illinois in 1899 of not looking on children and adolescents as being solely responsible for their behavior. Courts would not merely mete out punishment. They would look for ways to rehabilitate the defendants.

One hundred years later, alongside a number of initiatives to improve its juvenile justice system, Pennsylvania leaders began encouraging the adoption of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) such as Multisystemic Therapy (MST) and Functional Family Therapy (FFT) as a way to help troubled youth, keep them at home and out of prison.

Based on evaluations and outcome reports by the EPISCenter, EBIs are accomplishing just that.

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” —Plato

The treatment had a bumpy start. The dad was verbally abusive toward me, to put it mildly, from the moment I walked in. Practically the first words out of his mouth were “F’ off! You can keep your f-ing treatment,” adding that the “F-ing boy is never coming to my house ever again!”

This anger isn’t uncommon. Juvenile offenders we see in Multisystemic Therapy have pushed their parents, caregivers, and families to the brink. Many of our families are beaten down trying to deal with their beyond-control children and have lost all hope. After trying what seems like everything, they wonder why to bother anymore. Often, they just want the pain and frustration to stop.