MST Services
Organizational
Biography
History
MST Services was formed in early 1996 in response to community requests for assistance in developing MST programs. Prior to 1996 support for communities interested in MST program development came from the staff of the main MST research group, the Family Services Research Center (FSRC) of the Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. This research group is a fully grant-funded organization pursuing the development and validation of treatments for youth with serious clinical problems. The FSRC typically has several federally funded research projects at any time.
In the mid 1990’s the burden of disseminating the MST model
to interested communities began to have a detrimental impact on the research
productivity of the staff of the FSRC. With the support of the
To effectively disseminate research proven family-based interventions for youth presenting serious clinical problems.
Affiliation
MST Services is affiliated with the Medical University of South Carolina and the Family Services Research Center through an exclusive license agreement. This license agreement permits MST Services to develop MST programs using the MST technology, and to grant licenses to agencies for use of the technology. These licensed agencies must follow the implementation of procedures developed through research on the MST model. These include specific criteria designed to ensure fidelity to the model.
The Technology
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an intensive family- and community-based treatment that addresses the multiple determinants of serious antisocial behavior in youth. MST addresses the multiple known factors related to delinquency across the key settings, or systems, within which the youth live (e.g., family, peers, school, neighborhood). MST strives to promote behavior change within the youth’s natural environment, using the strengths of each system to facilitate change. The strengths of MST include: (1) proven long-term effectiveness through 20+ years of rigorous scientific evaluations, (2) a clearly defined and empirically grounded treatment theory, (3) a focus on provider accountability and adherence to the treatment model, and (4) empowerment of the youth’s caregivers to manage current and future difficulties.
The Strategy
MST Services offers a dissemination strategy that includes program development assistance, a site assessment process, orientation training, weekly telephone consultation on clinical cases, quarterly booster trainings, and on-going assistance with the development of each MST provider agency’s ability to sustain implementation of MST with fidelity.
MST Network Partner Organizations
A key element of the dissemination strategy employed by MST Services is the development of a network of “partner” organizations that are committed to disseminating the MST model with full integrity and fidelity. These MST Network Partner organizations employ staff fully trained in MST program development as well as clinical staff training and development. MST Services maintains an on-going working relationship with each MST Network Partner organization focused on staff development, quality improvement and quality assurance activities. Click here to view a listing of the MST Network Partner organizations.
MST Services Board of Directors
· Scott Henggeler, Ph.D.
Director, Family Services Research Center
Professor, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
· Sonja Schoenwald, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
· Melisa Rowland, M.D.
Associate Professor, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
· Keller Strother, M.S., M.B.A.
President, MST Services
MST Services Staff
Richard Aucoin, Ph.D., MST Consultant
Daniel Bachicha, Ph.D., MST Consultant
Courtney Benton, Office Manager
Joseph Boggs, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, Vice President
Molly Brunk, Ph.D., Manager of Network Partnerships, Vice President
Dale Carter, Ph.D., MST Consultant
Bernie Centeio, LSW, QCSW, Manager of Network Partnerships
Joshua Chinitz, Ph.D., MST Consultant
Shirley Claytor, Office/Contracts Manager
Patricia Cooper, Training Coordinator
Jan Critchlow, Executive Assistant
Joie Cummings, Administrative Assistant
Anne Dailey, M.S., LCSW-R, Manager of Network Partnerships
Michelle Dean, M.S., LPC/S, CRCC, Manager of Network Partnerships
Patrick Duffy, Psy.D., Manager of Network Partnerships
Melanie Duncan, Ph.D., Project Manager
Dan Edwards, Ph.D., Manager of Network Partnerships, Vice President
Naamith Heiblum, Ph.D., Manager of Network Partnerships
Greg Melendez, Ph.D., MST Consultant
Joanne Penman, M.Ed., LMSW, MST Consultant
Lisa Reiter-Lavery, Ph.D., Clinical Director, Vice President
Ellen Shifko, M.S.Ed., Manager of Network Partnerships
Laura Shortt, M.S., MST Consultant
Jon Steinmetz, M.A., LPC, LAC, MST Consultant
Keller Strother, M.S., M.B.A., President
Robin Susser, Ph.D., MST Consultant
Marshall Swenson, M.S.W., M.B.A., Manager of Program Development, Vice President
Brenda Szumski, MSW, LCSW, Manager of Network Partnerships
Affiliated professionals working closely with MST Services:
Phil Cunningham, Ph.D.
Scott Cutting, Ph.D.
Curt Huston
Jeff Randall, Ph.D.
Bob Rhen
Lisa Saldana, Ph.D.
Ashli Sheidow, Ph.D.
Laurie Westlake, Ph.D.
Accomplishments
As of this writing, MST Services has assisted with the implementation of MST in communities in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Northern Ireland, England, New Zealand and Sweden as well as in 30 states in the United States. As a result, MST is now provided to more than 8000 families annually.
For program development information contact:
Marshall E. Swenson, M.S.W., M.B.A.
Manager of Program Development
MST Services
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Tel.: (843) 284-2215
Fax.:
Email: marshall.swenson@mstservices.com
Websites: www.mstservices.com, www.mstinstitute.org, and www.mstjobs.com.