What is Functional Family Therapy (FFT)?

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an evidence-based program designed for youth ages 10–18 and their families. It supports those experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges by focusing on:

Family-Centered Support:
Strengthening family bonds and improving communication.

Strength-Based Approaches:
Building on each family’s unique resources and resilience.

Trauma-Informed Care:
Helping families heal from past challenges and create healthier relationships.

90% of families served report stronger bonds and improved communication after completing FFT.

What Sets VisionQuest FFT Apart

At VisionQuest, we provide families with personalized care tailored to their unique needs, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way. Our program includes:

Quick Assessments: Initial evaluations are completed within 7 days of referral.
Comprehensive Support: Sessions focus on family dynamics, emotional regulation, and behavior change.

24/7 Crisis Access: Families have round-the-clock access to crisis intervention and follow-up care.

Lasting Outcomes: Families leave equipped with stronger relationships, improved communication, and tools for long-term success.

How Does FFT Work?

FFT is a structured, phased approach typically conducted in 12–20 sessions over three to five months. The process is guided by a trained therapist who works closely with the family, focusing on five key phases:

1
Engagement and Motivation

The therapist builds trust and establishes a positive therapeutic relationship with all family members. The goal is to create a safe space where everyone feels heard and respected, setting the stage for productive communication and collaboration.

2
Assessment

The therapist works with the family to identify patterns of interaction, underlying strengths, and areas of concern. By understanding the unique dynamics of the family, the therapist can tailor the intervention to meet their specific needs.

3
Behavior Change

This phase involves teaching practical skills to address problematic behaviors and strengthen positive interactions. Techniques such as conflict resolution, effective communication, and emotional regulation are introduced and practiced.

4
Generalization

Families are supported in applying their new skills to real-world situations. The therapist helps them anticipate and manage future challenges, ensuring that positive changes are sustainable over time.

5
Sustainability

In the final phase, the therapist focuses on empowering the family to maintain progress independently. The family learns how to continue using their skills and resources to thrive in their daily lives.

Evidence-based programs have been shown to successfully treat delinquent youth in the community and decrease out of home placement. Services cost between $1300 and $5,000 per family per year, while incarcerating just one youth will cost over $50,000 per year with the likelihood of poorer outcomes for both the youth & their family.

From Evidence Based Practices
for Juvenile Justice Reform in Louisiana (2010).

Why Choose FFT with VisionQuest

FFT has been extensively researched and shown to be effective across diverse populations and cultural backgrounds. Its holistic, strength-based approach not only addresses immediate concerns but also fosters long-term resilience. Families who participate in FFT often report:

At VisionQuest, we believe that strong families build strong communities. FFT is just one of the ways we help families overcome challenges and move toward a brighter, healthier future.

Improved communication and understanding

Decreased risky or problematic behaviors in youth

Reduced conflict and stress

Strengthened family relationships

Sam Mahan Center

Benson, Arizona

Age

6 - 17

Gender

Males

Sam Mahan Center provides trauma-informed care and comprehensive services for children and youth aged 6-17, focusing on their well-being and reunification with family or relatives in the United States. For those without immediate family connections, we work to find long-term shelter homes. Our team values diversity, fairness, and respect, fostering a supportive environment built on open communication, collaboration, and commitment to the children we serve.

Program Director

Alexis Medina

Gwen Mikeal Village

Tucson, Arizona

Age

5 - 17

Gender

Females

The Gwen Mikeal Village is a fully licensed shelter with a capacity to care for 50 female children aged 5-17. The program provides temporary placement while conducting safety discharge planning. Guided by child-centered care, empathy, and cultural sensitivity, Gwen Mikeal Village meets all Shelter Care requirements and complies with Arizona Child Welfare laws and regulations, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for the children in our care.

Program Director

Jocelyn Valencia

Morningstar Youth Academy

Woolford, Maryland

Age

14-19

Gender

Male

The Morning Star Youth Academy provides residential substance abuse services and alternative high school education for youth aged 14-19. Rooted in a culture of care, the program emphasizes respect, dignity, and trauma-informed practices to support the holistic well-being and growth of each individual.

Program Director

Emma Diaz

Milford/ Newark RAD

New Castle and Sussex Counties, Delaware

Age

11-17

Gender

Both

The DE Residential Alternative to Detention (RAD) program provides a structured, supportive environment for youth aged 8-18, offering 24/7 staff supervision. Residents benefit from counseling, life skills training, education, vocational skill-building, recreation, transportation services, and access to medical and behavioral health care. By prioritizing alternatives to detention, the program allows low- to moderate-risk youth to stay connected to their families, schools, and communities while receiving necessary services. With respect, dedication, and integrity, DE RAD staff motivate youth to achieve personal goals and reduce the risk of criminality and incarceration. Operating across two state locations, the program is committed to helping youth overcome challenges and develop the skills for successful reintegration into their communities.

Program Director

Robert Palmer

VQ KAPs

San Antonio, Texas

Age

0-18

Gender

Males and Females

KAPS partners with the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department to support youth aged 10-18 and their families. Through Functional Family Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and comprehensive case management, we provide trauma-informed care while respecting and honoring cultural values. Collaborating with the court system, we participate in multidisciplinary staffings to update on youth progress and advocate for their needs, fostering positive outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system.

Program Director

Deborah Black, LCSW

Supervised Visitation

Luzerne, Pennsylvania

Age

11-17

Gender

Males

The Supervised Visitation program in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, supports the reunification of families by facilitating and overseeing safe, structured visits between children in foster or kinship care and their birth parents. Held in a secure, homelike setting, visits are scheduled flexibly, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate all parties. The program prioritizes safety with strict rules, secure facilities, and thorough care coordination with other service providers. Visitation Aides observe and document interactions to assess parenting skills and improvements, promoting positive parent-child relationships. Designed to be free from any form of abuse, the program aims to strengthen families and foster meaningful connections.

Program Director

Jeremy Collins

Steven Rogers Village

Tucson, Arizona

Age

6-17

Gender

Males

Steven Rogers Village program is a community-based initiative supporting male children aged 12-17. We provide a safe, secure environment where children can grow, learn, and gain independence. Attending public school and participating in activities like sports, band, and chorus are encouraged to foster acculturation and social integration. Our culturally sensitive approach respects religious and cultural beliefs, ensuring inclusive care. We also focus on equipping children with essential life skills, such as financial management, conflict resolution, renting a home, and effective communication, to prepare them for a successful future.

Program Director

Yvonne Moore

Juan Pirtle Center

Wallis, Texas

Age

6-17

Gender

Males

At the Juan Pirtle Center, we provide dedicated care and support to male youth aged 12-17, ensuring their basic needs are met while prioritizing their safety and well-being. Our trauma-informed approach includes individualized education, recreational, and medical services, creating a nurturing environment that feels like home. In every action we take, the children remain at the center of our focus, and our committed staff work tirelessly to provide exceptional care and support during their time with us.

Program Director

Nestor Acosta

Grace Dix Village

Wylie, Texas

Age

6-17

Gender

Males

Grace Dix Village is a comprehensive Long-Term Foster Care Program in Texas, dedicated to providing a safe, structured environment for male youth aged 12-17.. The program provides immediate care and support, offering essential services such as case management, acculturation and adaptation support, legal assistance, and educational and vocational opportunities. Children also receive access to medical and dental care, mental health support, nutritional services, and religious activities to meet their holistic needs. With a focus on child-centered care, cultural sensitivity, and respect, Grace Dix Village empowers youth by fostering stability, promoting independence, and ensuring they feel safe, valued, and supported as they prepare for successful futures.

Program Director

Leyla Lopez

Jake Devonshire Center

Corpus Christi, Texas

Age

6-17

Gender

Males

The Jake Devonshire Center provides long-term foster care and unwavering support to youth from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). We are committed to meeting their needs 24/7, every day of the year, while fostering a safe, nurturing environment. Our program values and respects each individual youth, ensuring they feel cared for and supported throughout their journey.

Program Director

Veronica Soto

Our Locations

FFT
Various
FFT
Various
Gender
Age
Phone #

The FFT program provides specialized, family-focused treatment for youth aged 11-18 and their families, utilizing a strength-based, relational approach where all members feel respected and heard. Referrals often come from agencies like Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare, and Mental/Behavioral Health. Functional Family Therapy (FFT) aims to engage and motivate families, reduce risk factors, enhance protective factors, and create sustainable behavior change through individualized plans. The program fosters positive relationships and equips families with the tools to utilize community resources, promoting long-term success and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Function Family Therapy?

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.

What differentiates FFT from traditional therapy programs?

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.

Have a question? Let us know.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.