The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) program has been rated by the CEBC in the area of: Substance Abuse Treatment (Adolescent).

• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: Not Specified

BSFT is a brief intervention used to treat adolescent drug use that occurs with other problem behaviors. These co-occurring problem behaviors include conduct problems at home and at school, oppositional behavior, delinquency, associating with antisocial peers, aggressive and violent behavior, and risky sexual behavior. BSFT is based on three basic principles: First, BSFT is a family systems approach. Second, patterns of interaction in the family influence the behavior of each family member. The role of the BSFT counselor is to identify the patterns of family interaction that are associated with the adolescent's behavior problems. Third, plan interventions that carefully target and provide practical ways to change those patterns of interaction that are directly linked to the adolescent's drug use and other problem behaviors. Condensed from description found at http://archives.drugabuse.gov/txmanuals/bsft/BSFT2.html on March 25, 2011.