Functional Family Therapy: Principles of Clinical Intervention, Assessment, and Implementation. Seattle

• NCJ Number: 240995
• Author(s): Thomas L. Sexton, Ph.D.; James F. Alexander, Ph.D.; Josephine Bonomo, M.S.; Nancy Ostrom, M.S.; Doug Kopp, M.A., M.P.A.
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: Functional Family Therapy
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report presents information on Functional Family Therapy, an evidence-based and systematic family-based model for working with at risk adolescents and their families.

Abstract

This report describes Functional Family Therapy (FFT), a family intervention program for working with dysfunctional youth. FFT is an evidence-based and systematic family-based model that targets youth aged 11-18 who are at high risk for serious problems such as conduct disorder, violent acting-out, and substance abuse. The therapy includes a set of 1-hour sessions, 8-12 sessions for mild cases and up to 30 for difficult cases, which can be conducted as outpatient therapy or as a home-based model. The clinical model of FFT has specific phases which can be used to organize the intervention in a coherent manner. The report also presents information on the implementation and certification process of the FFT program. The site certification for FFT is a three-phase process: Phase 1 - Clinical Training, Phase II - Supervision Training, and Phase III - Practice Research Network. Finally, the report describes FFT's Family Assessment Protocol (FAP) and Clinical Services System (CSS), both of which are designed to build therapist competence and skills in using FFT with clients.