YOS believes the family unit is an incredible asset in every youth’s life and should be nurtured and maintained.
What is Multisystemic Family Therapy (MST)?
A family-focused, evidence-based initiative designed to serve youth ages 12-17 who struggle with complex emotional, social, and academic issues, as well as delinquency, such as:
- Truancy and academic performance
- Serious disrespect and disobedience
- Aggressive behaviors (i.e., fighting and property destruction)
- Criminal activity
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Runaway tendencies
The YOS MST Program is available for all Cook County, IL residents. Our MST therapists provide home-based and 24/7 on-call services for 3 to 6 months, creating individualized treatment plans that incorporate the family’s values, beliefs, and culture. Our primary goal is to prevent the youth from being removed from their homes and getting involved in the juvenile justice system. We help the youth develop the necessary skills to modify their behavior positively while also providing parents and primary caregivers with the resources and skills they need to address the challenges of raising teenagers with behavioral problems.
MST-EA (for Emerging Adults ages 17-26)
Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults (MST-EA) is a program to help young people aged 17-26 exit the IL Department of Juvenile Justice. These individuals are at the highest risk for adverse outcomes due to multiple co-occurring problems and extensive systems involvement. The program typically runs for 7-8 months and focuses on young adults’ skill development and identifying resources to help overcome barriers to success. Unlike traditional MST, which involves the entire family, MST-EA is specifically tailored to the young adult and their unique needs.
Multi-Systemic Therapy for Problematic Sexual Behavior (MST–PSB)
MST-PSB is an evidence-based adaptation of MST. MST-PSB is a family therapy program designed to serve youth displaying problematic sexual behavior (PSB).
MST-PSB is an evidence-based adaptation of MST. MST-PSB is a family therapy program designed to serve youth ages 10-17.5 displaying problematic sexual behavior (PSB). Examples of PSB include unwanted touching, incest, etc. This is an intensive program, with therapists on call 24/7 for crisis management and meetings with families in the community (typically in their homes). MST–PSB is highly focused on safety planning to prevent further instances of PSB. MST–PSB also works in close collaboration with the Children’s Advocacy Center, which provides trauma-focused therapy for the victims of the PSB.
- The MST-PSB program covers all of Cook County.
- Services are free to families.
- For clients to be eligible for services, they must live in a home with a long-term caregiver (or will be returning home from a placement within three or four months.)
- This program is approximately 6-7 months, meeting 3 times per week.
Problematic Sexual Behavior – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT)
This program serves children and adolescents ages 12-18 and their caregivers through group and/or family therapy. These programs are research-informed treatments for children and adolescents who have demonstrated inappropriate or problematic sexual behavior. In some cases, these youth may be involved in the juvenile justice system for illegal sexual behavior. Safety planning and reunification sessions can also be provided to families as needed.
- The PSB-CBT program covers all of Cook County.
- Services are free to families.
- Caregivers are required to participate in services with their youth. Evidence supports caregiver involvement as the strongest predictor of behavior change in youth.
- This program is approximately 12 months in duration. It is an open group, meaning families may access services anytime during the year. Groups meet once a week.
- Times and locations of group sessions can be shared by contacting us.
- Contact Lisa Nicklas at psb@yos.org.
Our goals are to support families, eliminate problem sexual behaviors, and protect vulnerable individuals. Therapists provide victims with access to trauma-focused therapy, as well.
Download our Multisystemic Family Therapy Program brochure