Mental Health

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Supporting Youth and Families with Complex Mental Health Needs

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) helps adolescents with mental health challenges by supporting families where life happens—at home, in school, and in the community. The result is stronger families, fewer crises, and lasting change.

MST Provides Tailored Evidence-Based Solutions for Mental Health Needs

Multisystemic Therapy (MST®)

Multisystemic Therapy (MST®) is the core evidence-based model on which all MST adaptations are built. It supports child-serving systems by addressing serious behavioral challenges through intensive, family- and community-based intervention that reduces placements and strengthens caregiver capacity.

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MST- Psychiatric Care (MST-Psych®)

MST-Psych is designed for youth ages 9–17 who are at risk of out-of-home placement due to serious behavioral problems and co-occurring psychiatric conditions, including mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. The model integrates psychiatric care and medication management into the MST framework, with an emphasis on safety planning to reduce risk of harm. MST-Psych is a family approach that works to stabilize youth, reduce hospitalizations, and prevent residential placement by strengthening family and community supports.

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Positive Outcomes for Psychiatric Populations

Reduced Psychiatric Crises and Hospitalizations

MST-Psych helps stabilize youth with serious mental health needs, reducing reliance on emergency services, inpatient hospitalization, and crisis-driven care.

Improved Symptom Management and Daily Functioning

Youth show improvements in managing symptoms related to mood, anxiety, and other serious mental health conditions, supporting better functioning at home and in the community.

Stronger Family Support and Caregiver Engagement

Caregivers build skills to support treatment plans, manage crises, and reinforce positive behaviors, strengthening the youth’s primary support system.

Improved Treatment Adherence and Continuity of Care

By coordinating care across systems, MST-Psych improves follow-through with psychiatric treatment, medication management, and outpatient services.

Reduced Risk of Out-of-Home Placement

MST-Psych helps youth remain safely at home by addressing mental health needs in real-world settings, reducing the need for residential or institutional care.

Better Coordination Across Mental Health Systems

MST-Psych promotes collaboration among families, providers, schools, and community partners to ensure care is aligned, responsive, and sustainable.

Proven Results. Lasting Impact.

With over 90 studies and more than 140 peer-reviewed journal articles, Multisystemic Therapy features the largest body of evidence of successful interventions for high-risk youth.

Featured Resources

How to Become an MST Provider: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide will provide you with information on how to implement a successful program in your community.

MST-Psych Fact Sheet

Download our fact sheet for a simple overview of MST-Psych.

MST Clinical Overview

A visual overview of the clinical approach to Multisystemic Therapy.

Ready to bring MST to your community?