Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) is an intensive therapy that provides a holistic approach. MST-CAN families typically come to the attention of child protective services with a substantiated case of abuse within the last 180 days. MST-CAN is delivered to families by a team that includes therapists, a crisis caseworker, and a part-time psychiatrist.
MST-CAN uses specific treatment techniques including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anger management
- CBT treatments for the impact of trauma or posttraumatic stress disorder on adults and children
- Reinforcement-based therapy (RBT) for adult substance abuse
- Behavioral family therapy for communication and problem-solving
- Functional analysis for family conflict and the use of force in parenting and more as needed
MST-CAN Interventions:
- All interventions evidence-based or evidence-informed
- Interventions developed along an analytical model
- Analytical model guides the therapist to assess factors that are driving clinical problems
MST-CAN services are provided through and evidenced base approach with the intent to:
- Keeping families together
- Assuring that children are safe
- Preventing abuse and neglect
- Reducing mental health difficulties experienced by adults and children
- Increasing natural social support
MST-CAN Treatment is:
- Provided to all family members
- An intensive program with regular contact (from three times a week to daily)
- Structured so the family sets treatment goals
Treatment Delivery
- In the Home or Places Convenient to the Family
- At times that meet the needs of the Family
- Available 24 hrs. a Day, 7 Days a week for Crisis On-Call Services
- Ranges from 6-9months
Session Intensity
- Session length depends on the needs of the family
- Sessions may range from 50 minutes to 2 hours
- Multiple type of sessions may be conducted in one day
- Parental drug screening and session
- Family communication and problem solving