Functional Family Therapy: An Interview With Dr. James Alexander

Onedera, Jill D.

doi:10.1177/1066480706287802

“…In an FFT program, the therapist provides intensive family therapy in an attempt to change the patterns of family interaction that are contributing to the problem behavior and to help family members develop specific skills in, for example, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, and effective parenting. After the desired behavioral change has been achieved within the family, the therapist helps the family generalize changes to other situations and settings, such as school, community, and peers, and identifies support that can help to maintain the progress made (Onedera, 2006; Sexton & Alexander, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Before the therapist contacts the family, he or she will gather all information available about the youth and his or her family (including from formal assessments and official records). The ultimate goal of the pretreatment phase is that the therapist is fully ready both to assist the youth and family and to anticipate potential barriers and utilize strengths so that a positive experience for the family may be created (Alexander & Robbins, 2010; Onedera, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Family Therapy for Young People in Treatment for Nonopioid Drug Use

Filges

¹

2016

Research on Social Work Practice

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Objectives: This review evaluates the evidence on the effects of functional family therapy (FFT) on drug abuse reduction for young people in treatment for nonopioid drug use. Data and Analysis: We followed Campbell Collaboration guidelines to conduct a systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized trials. Results: The search yielded two studies that met inclusion criteria. Only one study provided numerical results on the effect of FFT on drug use reduction. Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to allow any conclusion to be drawn on the effect of FFT for young people in treatment for nonopioid drug use. There is a need for more research and particularly for more methodologically rigorous studies in the field of treatment for young drug users.

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“…In an FFT program, the therapist provides intensive family therapy in an attempt to change the patterns of family interaction that are contributing to the problem behavior and to help family members develop specific skills in, for example, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, and effective parenting. After the desired behavioral change has been achieved within the family, the therapist helps the family generalize changes to other situations and settings, such as school, community, and peers, and identifies support that can help to maintain the progress made (Sexton & Alexander, 2003; Onedera, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alexander (interview in Onedera, 2006) stresses that motivation is fundamental for subsequent behavioral change. It is considered important that any negativity is decreased in this early phase before targeting actual behavioral change; this is because negative emotions can prevent family members from making a realistic commitment to change (Onedera, 2006). Using a range of therapeutic techniques, the family members are helped to feel a reduction of blame, anger, and hopelessness and an increase in hopefulness (Alexander & Sexton, 2002; Sexton & Alexander, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) for Young People in Treatment for Non‐opioid Drug Use: A Systematic Review

Filges¹,

Andersen²,

Jørgensen³

2015

Campbell Systematic Reviews

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This Campbell systematic review assesses the effectiveness of FFT to reduce drug abuse (cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, or cocaine) among young people aged 11 to 21 years. The review includes two randomised controlled trials, but summarises findings from only one study reporting on the outcome of drug use. Two studies, reported in three papers, are included. Both were conducted in the USA. Only one provides outcomes related to youth drug use. It compares the effectiveness of FFT with that of alternative treatments. The results from the one study reporting on the effect of FFT on youth drug use shows a short‐term (four month) reduction in the use of cannabis, an effect that disappears in the longer term. There is a dearth of evidence on the effectiveness of FFT for the treatment of non‐opioid drug use in young people. Executive Summary/Abstract BACKGROUNDYouth drug use is a severe problem worldwide. Usage of cannabis, amphetamine ecstasy and cocaine, referred to here as non‐opioid drugs, are strongly associated with a range of health and social problems.Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is a short‐term, manual‐based, behaviorally oriented family therapy program for young people with behavior problems such as drug abuse, juvenile delinquency and violence. Delivered in an outpatient setting, it aims to help young people and their families by improving family interactions and relationship functioning by addressing dysfunctional individual behavior.As with many other forms of family therapy, FFT targets young people and their families as a system. As such, it recognizes the important role of the family system in the development and treatment of young people's drug abuse problems. OBJECTIVESThe main aim of this review is to evaluate the current evidence on the effects of FFT on drug abuse reduction for young people in treatment for non‐opioid drug use. SEARCH METHODSA wide range of electronic bibliographic databases were searched using a relatively narrow search strategy, in July 2013. We performed extensive searches in a broad selection of government and policy databanks, grey literature databases, citations in other reviews and included primary studies, and by hand searches of relevant journals and internet searches using Google. We also corresponded with researchers in the field of FFT. No language or date restrictions were applied to the searches. SELECTION CRITERIATo be eligible for inclusion, studies must have: involved a manual‐based outpatient FFT treatment for young people aged 11‐21 years enrolled for non‐opioid drug use; used experimental, quasi‐experimental or non‐randomized controlled designs; reported at least one eligible outcome variable measuring abstinence, reduction of drug use, family functioning, education or vocational involvement, retention, risk behavior or other adverse effects; not focused exclusively on treating mental disorders; and had FFT as the primary intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSISThe literature search yielded a total of 6,719 records, which were screened for eligibility base...

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“…In an FFT program, the therapist provides intensive family therapy in an attempt to change the patterns of family interaction that are contributing to the problem behavior and to help family members develop specific skills in, for example, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, and effective parenting. After the desired behavioral change has been achieved within the family, the therapist helps the family generalize changes to other situations and settings, such as school, community, and peers, and identifies support that can help to maintain the progress made (Sexton & Alexander, 2003; Onedera, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%