1st Edition

Functional Family Therapy in Clinical Practice An Evidence-Based Treatment Model for Working With Troubled Adolescents

By Thomas L. Sexton Copyright 2011
    268 Pages 25 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    272 Pages 25 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Functional Family Therapy in Clinical Practice develops a comprehensive presentation that serves as a systematic guide to understanding the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) clinical model, the FFT service delivery system, the theoretical principles that serve as the foundation of FFT, and the mechanism of therapeutic change that gives FFT its potency. Clinically relevant, theoretically sound, and scientifically based, this book contains systematic discussions of topics and theoretical perspectives, as well as illustrative clinical examples that demonstrate the manner in which principles are applied in Family Focused Therapy.

    The Development of Functional Family Therapy: A Dynamic and Evolutional Model. The Evolution of FFT: Traditional Theory to Evidence-based Practice. Meeting the Needs of Troubled Youth: Clinical Problems, Theoretical Principles, and Scientific Foundations. The Clinical Change Model: Empowering Youth and Families. Engagement and Motivation Phase. Behavior Change Phase. Generalization Phase. The Clinical and Community Based Applications of FFT. FFT "In the Room": Clinical Case Examples of the FFT Model. Successfully Transporting Functional Family Therapy into Community Settings.

    Biography

    Thomas L. Sexton, PhD, is a professor in the Counseling Psychology Program at Indiana University and Director of the Center for Adolescent and Family Studies, a major research center for the study of youth and family issues. Dr. Sexton is past president of Division 43 (Family Psychology) of the American Psychological Association, a Diplomat in Family Psychology, and one of the major current FFT model developers. Dr. Sexton is the author or co-author of all of the theoretical publications of FFT in the last decade, co-author of the FFT clinical manual, supervision manual, and former director of the FFT National Dissemination project. Over the last 5 years Dr. Sexton served as a consultant to the Dutch Government where FFT has been implemented through out the country as the primary intervention for at risk youth. In addition, Dr. Sexton’s clinical work (writings, manuals, and video tapes of FFT clinical sessions) is used as the basis of national and international FFT training.

    "This book is a milestone in the development of FFT that summarizes the scientific evidence for the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of FFT; provides detailed clinical guidance on how to work with families using this model of practice; and shows how to set up and evaluate an FFT service in a community setting. It should be read by all professionals who work with the families of troubled adolescents. It is a masterpiece." - Alan Carr, PhD, Professor, Clinical Psychology, University College Dublin, Ireland; Associate Editor, Journal of Family Therapy

    "This superb guide to Functional Family Therapy is filled with insights and useful techniques. Sexton not only shows step-by-step how to conduct this therapy, but also succinctly describes the research supporting the approach and to the keys to successful supervision and dissemination." - Jay Lebow, Clinical Professor of Psychology, The Family Institute at Northwestern

    "FFT is an exquisite synergistic blend of clinical science and clinical attunement, and The Clinical Practice of Functional Family Therapy is a most welcome, long-overdue contribution." - From Foreword by Alan S. Gurman, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health