Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an evidence-based program developed to treat delinquent youth by intervening in the various systems in which the youth is embedded (i.e., family, school, peer, community) to change factors that contribute to or maintain problem behaviors. MST is a practical and goal-oriented treatment that draws from social-ecological and family systems theories of behavior. In MST, a single therapist delivers services to 4 – 6 families.
MST and MST-FIT
MST-FIT is predicated upon the notion that treatment is most effective if all of the factors that sustain a problem behavior are addressed in an integrated manner
What is MST-FIT
The original PrimeTime project was designed to reduce the disproportionate minority confinement of youth in detention. It adapted an existing Multisystemic Therapy Program (which looked at the behavior of a youth from all the systems: Family, school, peer, community, and individual), and added elements from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Relapse Prevention. The model has transitioned into a program to work with youth transitioning back from residential stays, as well as preventing youth from being placed out of home.