Functional Family Therapy (FFT)
Center of Excellence: FFT LLC
Summary
FFT is a systemic, family-based intervention designed for youth at risk for out-of-home placement due to externalizing behaviors (e.g., physical aggression, oppositional behavior, substance use) that require the engagement of the youth or family members’ social system (e.g., family, teachers, health care providers). The service aims to reduce adolescent behavioral problems, conduct disorder, substance use, and recidivism while improving parenting practices.
Clinical Appropriateness
Appropriate for: Youth who are at risk of developing, or who are already experiencing, moderate to severe behavioral or emotional challenges, such as conduct disorder, violent acting-out, substance use, and criminal behavior.
The following are indicators that FFT may be medically necessary and appropriate:
- The youth is aged 11 to 18 or of an appropriate developmental age to receive the service; and
- The youth is at risk of or has moderate to severe behavioral or emotional challenges, such as conduct disorder, violent acting-out, substance use disorder (SUD), or delinquency.
Age
11-18 years old
Other Considerations
May not be appropriate for:
- Youth residing in inpatient, residential, or congregate living settings.
- Youth with current acute psychosis or who present with severe psychiatric illness.
- Youth who have no psychosocial system that constitutes family.
- Youth 9 to 10 years of age or below (as primary referral) or 19 years and over.
FFT is a systemic and family-based intervention designed for youth ages 11 to 18 at risk for out-of-home placement due to difficult behaviors or trouble dealing with their emotions.
FFT works with a young person’s entire family and extrafamilial influences to facilitate positive growth and development.
FFT is offered on average through 12 to 14 therapy sessions generally spread over a three-to-five-month period. FFT is a five-phase family therapy model:
- Engagement
- Motivation
- Relational assessment
- Behavior change
- Generalization
Teams of three to eight master’s level clinicians (one clinical supervisor and up to seven LMHPs with 10 to 12 families per full-time therapist).
Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) (including waivered or registered professionals) and Clinical Trainees acting within the scope of their license and training may provide FFT. All providers must have an active certification and be acting within the scope of their license and training to claim for FFT.