MULTI-SYSTEMIC THERAPY
PROBLEM SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Multi-Systemic Therapy Problem Sexual Behavior provides evidence based treatment to youth with sexual behavior problems while striving to keep youth in their home, school and community. The MST- PSB model is highly congruent with the 2017 ASTA (Association for Treatment of Sexual Abusers) guidelines for treatment of juveniles from the age of 10-17 who sexually offend.
Therapists typically work with a family for five to seven months with a minimum of three in-home sessions a week. Each youth has a comprehensive assessment completed and an individualized safety plan that is reevaluated throughout treatment. The safety plan is developed by the family and the therapist to ensure the safety of the client, victim, and community.
C&A offers services in Stark and Medina counties.
ROLE OF MST-PSB THERAPIST
C&A’s MST therapists are responsible for engaging the family and other key participants, including mandated agencies, in the treatment process. Individual therapist will only have five cases at a time to ensure they are able to provide the families with as much attention as they need and deserve.
Our motto is “whatever it takes.” Therapists truly adopt this attitude to get the necessary parties on board with treatment goals and plans. Therapists are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
All therapists are evaluated and held accountable for achieving positive case outcomes.
Cases are reviewed weekly by the therapist, their supervisor and their MST expert to ensure adherence to the nine MST treatment principles and the MST analytical process.
Sessions are often scheduled outside of regular work hours and as frequently as necessary to achieve observable and measurable changes.
PROGRAM GOALS
The goals of MST include:
- Providing parents with the skills and resources they need to meet the challenges of raising teenagers.
- Giving youth the skills to cope with family, school and neighborhood
Evidence-based techniques used in MST include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and pragmatic family therapies. To ensure that the benefits of MST therapy continue after the therapist team leaves, family and community resources that support long- term behavioral changes are mobilized.
MST interventions aim to:
- Improve how the caregiver disciplines
- Enhance family relations
- Decrease a youth’s association with negative peers
- Increase a youth’s association with pro-social peers
- Improve a youth’s school or vocational performance
- Engage youth in positive recreational outlets
- Develop a natural support network of extended family, neighbors and friends to help caregivers achieve and maintain changes.
MEET THE TEAM
Jennifer Parmenter
EMDR
Program Manager