Multi-Family Group Therapy for Sexually Abusive Youth

• NCJ Number: 209921
• Journal: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 13 Issue: 3/4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 215-243
• Author(s): David Nahum; Marci M. Brewer
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 29 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description; Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Under the belief that multi-family group therapy (MFGT) for a sexual offense-specific treatment population is a sophisticated and effective clinical intervention with distinctive advantages, this article provides guidance for establishing the MFGT format and discusses its goals, curriculum, facilitation priorities, and strategies.

Abstract

MFGT as described in this article is a clinician-facilitated treatment group composed of several youth, their parents, and adjunct caregivers. The MFGT process parallels family systems theory, under the view that change in individual family members impacts the entire group, and more global group change is infectious to individuals. MFGT has been effective in enhancing knowledge, skills, support, and treatment attitudes in families of children with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, or dysthymic disorder. The clinical team preparing to facilitate MFGT with youthful offenders and their families will face several unique challenges, notably the managing of a large group, managing and tracking three levels of clinical process (individual members, family systems, and the larger group meta-process); tracking and intervening in multigenerational processes, talking with a diverse audience about sex, and managing the dynamics within a multi-therapist team. In providing guidance for establishing the MFGT group for sexually abusive youth, this article discusses size and space requirements, intake and participant selection, special populations to consider, group length and time, attendance requirements, and funding considerations. Recommendations for group content pertain to group confidentiality, group goals, creating the group curriculum, group rituals, and experiential exercises. A discussion of group facilitation considers general principles; management of the facilitation team; and "pitfalls, roadblocks, and detours." 24 references