Multisystemic Therapy (MST) in California

MST Services: The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (COE) for MST in California

The MST Services COE supports the implementation of Multisystemic Therapy, an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), in California. MST Services provides comprehensive training and sustained implementation support to help improve the outcomes for at-risk youth and families with significant behavioral health needs. 

Contact the MST Behavioral Health Center of Excellence

Visit the Behavioral Health COE Resource Hub

 

MST BH CONNECT Image of father and son next to outline of the state of California

 

What is Multisystemic Therapy's Role in the BH-CONNECT Initiative? 

Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) are central to California’s goal of expanding access to and strengthening the continuum of community-based behavioral health services. To support California behavioral health delivery systems and behavioral health practitioners in implementing EBPs, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has established Centers of Excellence (COEs).  

 

MST Services is proud to serve as a Center of Excellence (COE), disseminating Multisystemic Therapy throughout the state of California.

MST is an intensive, evidence-based, family-driven, proprietary treatment model for youth (ages 12 to 17 years old) who are involved in the juvenile justice system or who are at risk of out-of-home placement due to a history of delinquent behavior. This service emphasizes cultural responsiveness and the centering of home and community settings, as well as partnership with law enforcement and the juvenile justice system.

Eligibility Criteria:

Appropriate for: Youth at risk of severe systems consequences within their family, school, or community due to serious externalizing, anti-social, and/or challenging behaviors.

The following are indicators that MST may be medically necessary and appropriate:

  • The youth is aged 12 to 17 or of an appropriate developmental age to receive the service; and
  • The youth exhibits serious externalizing, anti-social, aggressive, and/or criminogenic behaviors that may place the child or youth at risk of out-of-home placement and
  • The youth resides in a family, community or home-like setting that is conducive to a family-focused treatment model.
 

May not be appropriate for:

  • Youth living independently.
  • Sex offending in the absence of other anti-social behavior.
  • Youth with moderate to severe autism.
  • Actively homicidal, suicidal, or psychotic.
  • Youth whose psychiatric problems are the primary reason leading to referral or youth who have severe and serious psychiatric problems.

MST is a family-based program for youth ages 12 to 17 who show serious difficulty with behavior. MST is often used for youth who have had trouble with the law or might be at risk of system consequences, including out-of-home placement due to their behavior.

  • MST involves family and community supports in therapy sessions and other interventions to help youth work on behaviors such as breaking the law or using drugs. MST also helps parents learn skills to help them handle these behaviors at home, in school, with their peers, or in other community settings.
  • MST teaches parents and caregivers how to handle challenges with their kids and teenagers at home, in school, with friends, or in their neighborhood.
  • Other key components of the model include:
    • Multiple weekly visits in the community, home, school, or neighborhood over a three-to-five-month period.
    • 24/7 services to ensure timely crisis management.
    • Outcome-based discharge criteria.

Teams of three to five master’s level clinicians (one clinical supervisor and two to four therapists with a maximum caseload of six families per therapist).

The supervisor is responsible for facilitating one group supervision meeting per week, clinician development, and additional trainings as needed (the supervisor may also have primary or shared responsibility for program management tasks).

Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) (including waivered or registered professionals) and Clinical Trainees acting within the scope of their license and training may provide MST. All providers must have an active certification and be acting within the scope of their license and training to claim for MST.

Free Downloads: 

MST Clinical Documentation, Data Collection and Reporting

If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact the MSTS COE at mst.bhcoe@mstservices.com

MST features the largest body of evidence, by far, of successful interventions for high-risk youth.

 

  90+ Studies

 $75m+ Research Funding

 140+ Peer-reviewed Journal Articles

 57,000+ Families included across all studies

 

At the close of MST treatment...

MST Results

 
Infographic of the 'MST Services Wheel of Services' circular diagram, illustrating the core and interconnected components of the Multisystemic Therapy model.

Multisystemic Therapy Offers a Suite of Services

MST Services works with provider organizations and service systems to train therapists and supervisors, surrounding them with support, resources, and ongoing coaching in a variety of therapeutic interventions and services, including drug and alcohol interventions, family household management, trauma-informed interventions, and more.

Connect With Us!

 

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Contact:

Have a question or want to learn more? Contact the MST Behavioral Health Center of Excellence

County behavioral health agencies: Interested in initiating a consultation with us? Complete an Engagement Initiation Form here.

If you are a behavioral health practitioner, please coordinate with your county behavioral health plan (BHP).  

 

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Go to the Behavioral Health COE Resource Hub for information about all participating COEs and EBPs.  

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3500 Piedmont Rd NE
Suite 310
Atlanta, GA 30305

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