Multidimensional Family Therapy: Healing Adolescents and Families Together
The important thing is, is it interfering with your life now, your life now and your life in the future? And if it is- and it usually is well, then that's not such a good thing, and let's see what we can do about it.
Imagine a therapy that doesn't just focus on the individual struggling with substance abuse but also brings the whole family into the healing process. In this episode of Harm Reduction Radio, host Kenneth Anderson sits down with Gayle Dakof, Ph.D., from the University of Miami, to explore Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT). Dr. Dakof, one of the minds behind MDFT, shares how this evidence-based intervention goes beyond addressing drug use.
It tackles delinquency, truancy, and family conflicts, offering a holistic approach to adolescent substance abuse. MDFT is unique because it includes in-home therapy sessions where teens and their families work together with trained therapists. These sessions aim to improve communication and understanding within the family unit, making it a powerful tool for those with severe issues. While ethical challenges make it tough to compare MDFT directly to no treatment, its success as an alternative to residential programs is undeniable.
Families not only save on costs but also benefit from staying together during the recovery process. If you're curious about how involving the family can change the trajectory of a teen's life, this episode is a must-listen.