Synopses & Reviews
Review
"MST is an excellent example of a treatment with empirical support. It is firmly linked to the research and theoretical literature on antisocial behavior and the final section of the book presents convincing data regarding both the clinical and cost effectiveness of the treatment. The book is also admirable in its straightforward opinion of the value of other, non-empirically supported treatments for antisocial youth. The book is well organized, easy to read, and full of practical advice and examples....this volume will be exceptionally useful to practitioners who deal with antisocial youth, particularly in orienting treatment to a broader, systems-level understanding of antisocial behavior." --
Behaviour Research and Therapy"...provides a comprehensive description of multisystemic therapy....There is extensive description of clinical procedures; of assessment of the family and its unique ecological system; and of the treatment interventions used throughout....practical, authoritative and thought provoking....This book should alert the reader to the therapeutic possibilities of MST. It could serve as a primer to agencies considering this as a service delivery model." --The Canadian Child Psychiatry Review
"...the book is well organized; treatment is cohesively presented and discussed and specific interventions are nicely traced to the key principles that define MST....The book reflects a deep appreciation of the complexity of serving antisocial youths and their families." --Contemporary Psychology
Review
"This well-written and informative book presents the theory, research, and practice of Multisystemic Treatment as it is applied to antisocial youths, their families, and their communities. Including numerous case illustrations of interventions with diverse families, the authors provide a rich and rewarding model of empirically supported, clinically sensitive practice at its best. Managed care companies and federal funding agencies should take note: This is a treatment approach whose time has come." --Thomas H. Ollendick, PhD, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech
"Multisystemic Treatment (MST) is a family-focused, strengths-based approach that addresses client problems in their diverse social-ecological context. Bolstered by controlled outcome studies, MST has engendered greater optimism in our efforts to curtail antisocial behavior and related refractory conditions in youths. Delineating the key processes and procedures for implementing MST with this population, this practical book presents a useful conceptual framework, clear assessment and intervention guidelines, tips to enhance effectiveness in various settings, and helpful case examples. Clinicians will appreciate the authors' emphasis on tailoring the treatment to fit the problem, rather than attempting the reverse." --David J. Kolko, PhD, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
"Multisystemic treatment has changed the face of intervention for antisocial behavior in young people, taking therapists out of their offices and inserting them into the settings where youngsters live their lives and go astray. The intuitive appeal of MST is matched by impressive scientific support. The treatment works--and with some of the most troubled and troubling youth in our society. This engaging book tells the story of MST: its theoretical and empirical foundation, basic principles, strategies for success in each of the youth's life contexts, and supporting evidence. The book is a rich resource for practitioners, researchers, and policy makers in mental health and juvenile justice. It is a theoretical statement, a how-to manual, an empirical report, and an inspiring story, all in a single volume." --John R. Weisz, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
"Every once in a while, there appears a breakthrough book in psychotherapy. This book is a monumental achievement, representing the productive interaction of solid clinical science and rich, creative, and practical clinical thinking and practice. The multisystemic model achieves impressive results in engagement and outcomes with challenging clinical problems. Importantly, these results have been produced in the context of well conceived and conducted clinical research over many years. With lucid and lively writing, the book brings to life the complexity and richness of a powerful, and effective treatment model. Simply put, it is the most authoritative, and best available book for clinicians working with this population." --Howard A. Liddle, EdD, Professor of Psychiatry and Director, Center for Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse, University of Miami School of Medicine
Review
"This well-written and informative book presents the theory, research, and practice of Multisystemic Treatment as it is applied to antisocial youths, their families, and their communities. Including numerous case illustrations of interventions with diverse families, the authors provide a rich and rewarding model of empirically supported, clinically sensitive practice at its best. Managed care companies and federal funding agencies should take note: This is a treatment approach whose time has come." --Thomas H. Ollendick, PhD, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech
"Multisystemic Treatment (MST) is a family-focused, strengths-based approach that addresses client problems in their diverse social-ecological context. Bolstered by controlled outcome studies, MST has engendered greater optimism in our efforts to curtail antisocial behavior and related refractory conditions in youths. Delineating the key processes and procedures for implementing MST with this population, this practical book presents a useful conceptual framework, clear assessment and intervention guidelines, tips to enhance effectiveness in various settings, and helpful case examples. Clinicians will appreciate the authors' emphasis on tailoring the treatment to fit the problem, rather than attempting the reverse." --David J. Kolko, PhD, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
"Multisystemic treatment has changed the face of intervention for antisocial behavior in young people, taking therapists out of their offices and inserting them into the settings where youngsters live their lives and go astray. The intuitive appeal of MST is matched by impressive scientific support. The treatment works--and with some of the most troubled and troubling youth in our society. This engaging book tells the story of MST: its theoretical and empirical foundation, basic principles, strategies for success in each of the youth's life contexts, and supporting evidence. The book is a rich resource for practitioners, researchers, and policy makers in mental health and juvenile justice. It is a theoretical statement, a how-to manual, an empirical report, and an inspiring story, all in a single volume." --John R. Weisz, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
"Every once in a while, there appears a breakthrough book in psychotherapy. This book is a monumental achievement, representing the productive interaction of solid clinical science and rich, creative, and practical clinical thinking and practice. The multisystemic model achieves impressive results in engagement and outcomes with challenging clinical problems. Importantly, these results have been produced in the context of well conceived and conducted clinical research over many years. With lucid and lively writing, the book brings to life the complexity and richness of a powerful, and effective treatment model. Simply put, it is the most authoritative, and best available book for clinicians working with this population." --Howard A. Liddle, EdD, Professor of Psychiatry and Director, Center for Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse, University of Miami School of Medicine
"MST is an excellent example of a treatment with empirical support. It is firmly linked to the research and theoretical literature on antisocial behavior and the final section of the book presents convincing data regarding both the clinical and cost effectiveness of the treatment. The book is also admirable in its straightforward opinion of the value of other, non-empirically supported treatments for antisocial youth. The book is well organized, easy to read, and full of practical advice and examples....this volume will be exceptionally useful to practitioners who deal with antisocial youth, particularly in orienting treatment to a broader, systems-level understanding of antisocial behavior." --Behaviour Research and Therapy
"...provides a comprehensive description of multisystemic therapy....There is extensive description of clinical procedures; of assessment of the family and its unique ecological system; and of the treatment interventions used throughout....practical, authoritative and thought provoking....This book should alert the reader to the therapeutic possibilities of MST. It could serve as a primer to agencies considering this as a service delivery model." --The Canadian Child Psychiatry Review
"...the book is well organized; treatment is cohesively presented and discussed and specific interventions are nicely traced to the key principles that define MST....The book reflects a deep appreciation of the complexity of serving antisocial youths and their families." --Contemporary Psychology
Review
"Henggeler and his colleagues have broken new ground with this clear, detailed road map for implementing multisystemic therapy. Building on a quarter-century of research, practice, and successful replication, they have distilled the core principles and interventions of this alternative to the failed policy of indiscriminate incarceration for troubled young people. This is a major contribution in a field sorely in need of evidence-based interventions."--Patrick McCarthy, PhD, Senior Vice President, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore, Maryland "This impressive second edition builds upon new research and clinical experience to expand and enrich a classic guide. I enthusiastically recommend this book to all of my colleagues in the mental health field. It is an excellent text for family therapy courses and for courses on child and adolescent treatment in psychology, social work, counseling, and marriage and family therapy training programs. It will be required reading for all of my students who are counselors and therapists in training."--Nancy Boyd-Franklin, PhD, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
"Henggeler et al. offer clear examples and excellent detail about the theoretical underpinnings and practical application of the MST treatment model. The reader is given a thorough understanding of the complex causes of antisocial behavior and how these translate into the development of individualized family assessments and treatment plans. This second edition is a great resource for practitioners, students, and researchers who want to learn how data-based theories can be used to drive clinical conceptualizations and practices that achieve transformative outcomes for youth and families."--Patricia Chamberlain, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Center for Research to Practice, Oregon Social Learning Center
Synopsis
Multisystemic therapy (MST) has grown dramatically since the initial publication of this comprehensive manual. Today, over 400 MST programs operate in more than 30 states and 10 countries, supported by a strong empirical evidence base. This book explains the principles of MST and provides clear guidelines for clinical assessment and intervention with delinquent youth and their families. Practitioners are guided to implement proven strategies for engaging clients and helping them to address the root causes of antisocial behavior, improve family functioning and peer relationships, enhance school performance, and build meaningful social supports.
New to This Edition
*Includes the latest MST data and clinical refinements.
*Revised to be even more user-friendly, with many new examples added.
*A chapter on treating youth and caregiver substance abuse.
*Expanded coverage of safety concerns, enhancing vocational outcomes, and MST adaptations for other clinical problems.
*A chapter detailing the MST system for sustaining high-quality programs.
About the Author
Scott W. Henggeler, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. He is also Director of the University's Family Services Research Center, which recently received the Annie E. Casey Foundation Families Count Award, as well as the Points of Light Foundation President's Award in recognition of excellence in community service directed at solving community problems. Dr. Henggeler has published more than 250 journal articles, book chapters, and books, and is on the editorial boards of nine journals. His research and social policy interests include the development and validation of innovative methods of mental health and substance abuse services for disadvantaged children and their families; efforts for redistributing mental health and substance abuse treatment resources to services that are clinically effective and cost-effective, and preserve family integrity; and investigating the transport of evidence-based treatments to community settings.
Sonja K. Schoenwald, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. She served as Associate Director of the Family Services Research Center from 1994 to 2004. Dr. Schoenwald pioneered the development, refinement, and empirical testing of the training and quality assurance protocols used to transport multisystemic therapy to usual care settings. Her research focuses on the transportability, implementation, and dissemination of effective community-based treatments for youth and families. She has published numerous peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, and has coauthored three books and several treatment manuals and monographs.
Charles M. Borduin, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Director of the Missouri Delinquency Project. He has published more than 100 journal articles, book chapters, and books on the development and validation of effective mental health services for youth with complex clinical problems, and has served as a national and international consultant to government and private agencies on the reform of childrens mental health services.
Melisa D. Rowland, MD, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Family Services Research Center of the Medical University of South Carolina. Her research interests focus on developing, implementing, and evaluating clinically effective family-based interventions for youth presenting with serious emotional and behavioral problems. Dr. Rowland is the coinvestigator in charge of clinical and project implementation on a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded study designed to evaluate the relative effectiveness of three training protocols with increasing intensity in supporting the implementation of contingency management by practitioners treating adolescent substance abusers in the South Carolina mental health and substance abuse sectors. She is also the coinvestigator in charge of clinical implementation for an Annie E. Casey Foundation-funded project designed to develop an evidence-based continuum of services for youth with antisocial behaviors at risk of out-of-home placement in New York City.
Phillippe B. Cunningham, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Family Services Research Center of the Medical University of South Carolina. He has had a long-standing commitment to addressing the psychosocial needs of children and adolescents, especially those who are disadvantaged and underserved. Dr. Cunningham is a recipient of the Theodore H. Blau Early Career Award from the American Psychological Associations Society of Clinical Psychology. In 2006, he participated in the First Ladys Conference on Helping Americas Youth.
Table of Contents
1. The Multisystemic Therapy Theory of Change: Conceptual and Empirical Bases
2. Clinical Foundations, with Elena Hontoria Tuerk
3. Family Interventions
4. Peer Interventions
5. Promoting Educational and Vocational Success, with Cindy M. Schaeffer
6. When and How to Conduct Individually Oriented Interventions
7. Building Social Supports for Families
8. Treating Substance Abuse
9. MST Outcomes
10. Quality Assurance and Improvement: Fundamental to MST Programs Worldwide