Functional Family Therapy
Strengthening Families. Supporting Futures.
At the National Youth Advocate Program we believe healing begins with individualized, compassionate care for the whole family. Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is a short-term, high-intensity, evidence-based therapeutic intervention that strengthens families by improving communication, repairing relationships, and building the skills needed to overcome behavioral challenges.
FFT is designed to serve children and youth who have been referred for behavioral concerns and are at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice or child welfare systems. Our services empower families by addressing the root causes of conflict and developing tools that create lasting, positive change.
WHAT FAMILIES SHOULD KNOW
FFT works with families to address and repair maladaptive patterns of interaction and build healthier relationships. Our services are tailored to each family’s strengths, culture, and needs and may include:
Strength-based family assessments
Crisis management and de-escalation strategies
Intensive in-home family therapy sessions
Help accessing needed healthcare and community resources
Culturally responsive practices that reflect each family’s values and experiences
Most families receive FFT services over 4–6 months, with weekly sessions scheduled around the family’s needs and availability.
WHO FFT SERVES
FFT is designed for youth ages 11–18 with a diagnosed behavioral health condition who:
Have been referred by schools, courts, or local service agencies
Are engaging in illegal or high-risk behaviors
Are at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system and removal from home
Are transitioning from out-of-home placement back into the community
Youth with histories of trauma, abuse, or neglect may also benefit from our FFT services. Please consult with your local provider to see if your family could benefit from FFT.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT FFT
Unlike other programs, FFT engages the entire family, not just an individual. By working with identified caregivers, siblings, and extended family members, FFT builds sustainable change within the home. What makes FFT effective:
IN-HOME SUPPORT - Our FFT therapists work with families in their own homes to better understand their unique dynamics, routines, and challenges, making it easier to provide support that truly fits their everyday lives
SYSTEM NAVIGATION - FFT helps families navigate complex systems, like schools, courts, and social services, so they feel more empowered
ACCESSIBLE CARE - Our services are Medicaid-reimbursable and provided at no cost to families
To get the most out of FFT, families must be actively involved, sessions require participation from core family members.
