Family and youth therapeutic services 

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is a community-based and family-driven treatment that focuses on ‘empowering’ care-givers (parents) to solve current and future problems. It uses the strengths of each setting and system in the young person’s environment to facilitate positive behavioural change. Interventions may be necessary through family, peers, school, neighbourhood or indigenous support networks.

 MST interventions typically aim to:

  • improve caregiver parenting practices
  • enhance family relations
  • reduce at risk, anti-social and offending behaviour
  • decrease the young person’s association with deviant peers
  • increase the young person’s association with pro-social peers
  • improve the young person’s school or vocational performance
  • engage the young person in positive recreational outlets
  • develop a natural support network of extended family, neighbours, and friends to help caregivers achieve and maintain such changes.

In the words of one children’s court Judge: “By treating the family as a whole, the court is not sending ‘rehabilitated’ youths back into the same dysfunctional environment. The goals are healthier families and reduced recidivism. MST aims to stop the cycle of dysfunction and criminality-generationally.”

 

INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED

MST is an internationally recognised program that has been shown in rigorous, scientific tests to be superior to other interventions for adolescents exhibiting severe anti-social and criminal behaviour.

 MST is delivered through a partnership arrangement with the program developers and provider agencies who deliver the interventions.

 Life Without Barriers Australia is the Australasian Network Partner and license holder for the international MST program in Australia and New Zealand.

 

In New Zealand, the program is delivered by:

Central Health Ltd

Child Youth and Families, Auckland

Emerge Aotearoa

Hutt Valley District Health Board

Youth Horizons.

 

MST is unique within mental health services, and has gained the attention of leading child mental health researchers.