The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Functional Family Therapy (FFT) program has been rated by the CEBC in the areas of: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Substance Abuse Treatment (Adolescent) and Behavioral Management for Adolescents in Child Welfare.

• Child Welfare Outcome: Child/Family Well-Being
• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: 11-18 year olds with very serious problems such as conduct disorder, violent acting-out, and substance abuse

FFT is a family intervention program for dysfunctional youth. FFT has been applied to a wide range of problem youth and their families in various multi-ethnic, multicultural contexts. Target populations range from at-risk pre-adolescents to youth with very serious problems such as conduct disorder, violent acting-out, and substance abuse. While FFT targets youth aged 11-18, younger siblings of referred adolescents often become part of the intervention process. Intervention ranges from, on average, 8 to 12 one-hour sessions for mild cases and up to 30 sessions of direct service for more difficult situations. In most programs, sessions are spread over a three-month period. FFT has been conducted both in clinic settings as an outpatient therapy and as a home-based model.

The FFT clinical model offers clear identification of specific phases which organizes the intervention in a coherent manner, thereby allowing clinicians to maintain focus in the context of considerable family and individual disruption. Each phase includes specific goals, assessment foci, specific techniques of intervention, and therapist skills necessary for success.