Multidimensional Family Therapy Case Study

One that stands out is Multidimensional Family Therapy; it is rated

effective and has at least three studies that have proven results in lowering substance abuse and

behavior issues of juveniles. “MDFT is influenced by family therapy, developmental

psychology and psychopathology, the risk and protective factors framework, and ecological and

family systems theories. The program can be used for prevention, early intervention, standard

outpatient, intensive outpatient treatment, day treatment, or even integrated within residential

treatment,” (“Multidimensional Family,” 2012). This seems to be a program that takes risk and

protective factors, family, and the individual into consideration and can be used as a prevention

or

intervention program. More research needs to be done on the subcultures of youth gangs, and

neighborhoods that seem to have a youth gang “problem” need to take a closer look at

group (gang) processes identified in neighborhoods and the specific crime data. There needs to

be a better understanding of this subculture to really begin to initiate prevention and intervention

strategies that will work. “Now, it is time to bring our policy and practice up to the level of our

knowledge. In light of past mistakes and the current state of our knowledge, it is long past time

we shifted the balance dramatically in a new, more positive, hopeful direction,” (Ogletree, 2008).