What is FFT
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an evidence-based, short-term family intervention designed to improve family communication, reduce conflict, and effectively address behavioral and emotional issues in youth. By strengthening family relationships, FFT empowers families to foster long-term positive outcomes.
* Investing in FFT helps prevent more severe, costly interventions later by addressing issues early and within the community. FFT reduces the need for expensive out-of-home placements and juvenile detention, saving significant costs long-term.
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How it works
FFT involves 12 to 18 family sessions, each lasting 60 to 90 minutes. During the first 10 days, families meet up to three times, after which sessions typically occur weekly.
FFT sessions involve the youth, parents, caregivers, siblings, and occasionally other relevant family members or close friends. FFT is structured around five key phases:
1
The therapist establishes trust and builds a strong therapeutic alliance by creating a safe and respectful environment. Families are encouraged to openly share their perspectives and concerns.
2
The focus is on increasing family members' willingness to participate actively and constructively. Therapists help the family see the benefits of change and reduce resistance or blame.
3
Therapists carefully evaluate family dynamics, interaction patterns, and behaviors contributing to family issues. This understanding helps guide personalized interventions and strategies.
4
Families learn and practice specific techniques such as improved communication, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills. Practical assignments help reinforce these new skills.
5
Families apply newly acquired skills beyond the therapy sessions, integrating them into everyday life settings including school, work, and social activities, ensuring lasting positive change.
Effectiveness & Outcomes
60%
reduction in juvenile recidivism rates.
89%
have no drug charges 18 months post-referral.
77%
have no new offenses 18 months post-referral.
95%
attend school or work at treatment completion.
Key Features
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Family Engagement
Builds trust and respect, creating a safe space for meaningful family interactions.
Strength-Based Approach
Focuses on family strengths and resources to encourage positive change.
Behavioral Change Techniques
Teaches practical skills like conflict resolution and effective communication.
Community Integration
Helps families leverage community resources for sustained success.
Specialized Youth Support
Targeted interventions to address specific youth challenges and enhance safety.
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Culturally Competent Care
Therapists who respect and understand diverse family backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is a prevention and intervention program that operates on the family level to solve issues within the home. It has been applied successfully in a wide range of contexts to help youth and their families with a variety of different issues that, left unchecked, could lead to delinquency or reincarceration.
FFT is unique in that it works with youth and their families in tandem to help keep the family unit whole and deal with problems at their source. Rather than separate children at risk from their families, FFT focuses on ensuring that the family can be a safe and nurturing place that youth can return to.
Work with VQ
VQ has and continues to create a wide array of careers and opportunities in the communities we operate in. Through training and continued support, our staff are empowered to change the course of children’s lives for the better one day at a time.
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