Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) is a goal-oriented, comprehensive treatment program designed to serve multi-problem youth in their community.  MST is a home-based program that helps youths with chronic behaviors as school avoidance, truancy, serious disobedience, aggressive behavior, running away and substance abuse.

MST has been the focus of several major research studies and has demonstrated clinical and cost-effectiveness for youths with complex emotional, social, and academic needs.

Caseloads of the therapists are small (4-6 families per therapist) and treatment is intensive, often including multiple contacts with the family in the home every week. The average length of treatment is from 2-5 months.

SERVICES

• Assesses the youth in the context of his family, school, and community
• Seeks to understand the youth’s problems and the contributing factors
• Focuses on helping parents build supportive social networks
• Empowers parents to address the needs of the youth
•  Emphasizes long-term change that families can maintain after the program
• Helps to reduce recidivism

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY MST THERAPIST?

Any combination of the following:

•  Family therapy
•  Individual sessions with parents
•  Evaluation of the youth’s peer network and development of alternative activities
•  Consultation with schools
•  Coordination of programs with the court and other agencies
• Consultation in parenting issues
•  Chemical dependency assessment and treatment planning
•  Assistance available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Eligibility	Bergen County youths, from the ages of 12 to 17½, who are referred by the Juvenile Family Court, Juvenile/ Family Crisis Intervention Unit, parents, schools or service agencies.
Age Groups	Adolescents
Community Services	Family & Support Services Family Support Parenting & Caregiving
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Anger Management Behavioral Conduct Disorder Family Conflict & Distress Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Substance Use Teen Issues Crisis / Safety Crisis / Safety / Prevention
Treatment Services	Outpatient Services Assessment / Evaluation Counseling Counseling / Therapy, Family Counseling / Therapy, Individual Treatment Setting Home
Payment Options	Free
Areas Served	Bergen County

Last Updated: 05/15/24