Functional Family Therapy Online



	Clinical Model

The FFT clinical model is appealing because of its clear identification of specific phases which organize intervention in a coherent manner, thereby allowing clinicians to maintain focus in the context of considerable family and individual disruption. Each phase includes specific goals, assessment foci, specific techniques of intervention, and therapist skills necessary for success.

Engagement/Motivation

Behavior Change

Generalization

Phase Goal

Develop alliances.

Reduce negativity &
resistance.

Improve communication.

Minimize hopelessness.

Reduce dropout potential.

Develop family focus.

Increase motivation for
change.

   Develop & implement
         individualized
         change plans.

Change presenting
delinquency behavior.

   Build relational skills
         (e.g., communication
          & parenting).

Maintain/generalize change.

Prevent relapses.

   Provide community
         resources necessary
         to support change.

Risk & Protective
Factors Addressed

Negativity & blaming (risk).

Hopelessness (risk).

Lack of motivation (risk).

Credibility (protective).

Alliance (protective).

Treatment availability
(protective).

Poor parenting skills
(risk).

Negativity & blaming
(risk).

Poor communication
(risk).

Positive parenting skills
(protective).

Supportive communication
(protective).

Interpersonal needs
(depends on context).

Parental pathology
(depends on context).

Developmental level
(depends on context).

   Poor relationships with
         school community
         (risk).

Low level of social support
(risk).

   Positive relationships
         with school community
         (protective).

Assessment Focus

   Behavior (e.g., presenting
         problem, risk
         & protective factors).

   Relational problems
         sequence (e.g.,
         needs/functions).

Context (risk &
protective factors).

   Quality of relational
         skills (communication,
         parenting).

   Compliance with
         behavior change
         plan.

Relational problem
sequence.

   Identification of
         community resources
         needed.

Maintenance of change.

Therapist
Skills

   Interpersonal skills
         (validation, positive
         interpretation,
         reattribution,
         reframing, &
         sequencing).

High availability to
provide services.

Structure
(session focusing).

Change plan
implementation.

Modeling, focusing,
directing, training.

Family case manager.

Resource help.

Relapse prevention
interventions.