Multisystemic Therapy: A Proven Approach for Youth and Families

What is MST?

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an evidence-based, intensive family and community-based treatment for youth with serious behavioral challenges. The MST ecological model views serious youth behavior problems as stemming from complex interactions within a youth's various systems: family, peers, school, and neighborhood, rather than just the individual.

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How MST Creates Lasting Change

Family-Centered Treatment

MST focuses on empowering caregivers with practical tools and support. Therapists work closely with families to strengthen relationships, improve supervision, and build skills that support long-term success.

Community-Based
and Home-Focused

Services are delivered where challenges occur—at home, in school, and in the community. This approach removes barriers to care and ensures strategies are realistic and sustainable.

Data-Driven
and Evidence-Based

MST is backed by decades of research showing reduced reoffending, fewer out-of-home placements, and improved family functioning across diverse populations and settings.

Time-Limited but Intensive

MST is a short-term intervention, typically lasting three to five months, with therapists available 24/7. This intensity helps families address challenges quickly and effectively.

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How it Works

MST follows a structured, evidence-based process that adapts to each family’s unique needs while maintaining fidelity to proven principles.

Step 1: Assessment

Therapists assess the youth’s behavior across family, school, peer, and community settings to identify strengths, challenges, and drivers of behavior.

Step 2: Individualized Treatment Plan

A tailored treatment plan is created with the family, focusing on practical strategies that address root causes and build on existing strengths.

Step 3: Intensive Family Support

Therapists provide frequent, hands-on support, coaching caregivers and coordinating with schools and community partners to reinforce positive change.

Step 4: Skill Building and Sustainability

Families practice new skills and strategies so progress continues after treatment ends, reducing the likelihood of future system involvement.

Ongoing: Consultation and Reporting

Programs are regularly assessed to ensure adherence to the MST model while tracking youth and family progress through data-driven tools. Ongoing reporting supports continuous improvement and demonstrates outcomes to stakeholders.

Populations MST Serves

Evidence-based intervention reducing youth justice involvement

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) works with youth at risk of arrest or out-of-home placement by addressing the drivers of behavior across home, school, and community. Proven to reduce recidivism and keep young people safely at home.

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Strengthening families to prevent foster care placement

MST supports caregivers in building safe, stable home environments while addressing the challenges contributing to maltreatment risk. The model helps reduce removals, increase family stability, and promote long-term safety.

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Holistic, community-based treatment for serious behavioral concerns

MST addresses mental health needs by targeting the systems influencing a youth’s behavior. Therapists work in homes and communities to help youth manage symptoms, improve functioning, and strengthen support networks.

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Family-Driven Strategies to Reduce Substance Use and Build Long-Term Stability

MST helps caregivers reduce youth substance use by building monitoring, communication, and prosocial routines. The approach addresses peer influences, school engagement, and family dynamics that contribute to ongoing use.

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Reducing harmful sexual behaviors and increasing family safety

MST-PSB is an adaptation for youth who have engaged in problematic sexual behavior. It focuses on accountability, building healthy boundaries, enhancing caregiver supervision, and ensuring safety across settings.

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Adapting MST to meet the needs of youth with developmental disabilities

MST-ID tailors interventions to the developmental level of youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities, helping caregivers manage challenging behaviors while strengthening daily living skills and safety.

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Supporting successful transitions to adulthood

MST-EA helps young adults ages 17–26 reduce criminal behavior, stabilize housing, strengthen employment, and improve mental health. Services are intensive, community-based, and tailored to the needs of emerging adults.

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Ready to Bring MST to Your Community?