Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

Who is eligible?

• Youths aged 11 to 18 and their families who have been referred by the juvenile justice, mental health, school, or child welfare system for behavioral or emotional problems.
• Residents of the following counties in Kansas and Missouri:
  • Kansas Counties: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Bourbon, Brown, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Crawford, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Harvey, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Linn, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Saline, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Washington, Wilson, Woodson, and Wyandotte (referral source and criteria may vary by location)
  • Missouri Counties: Jackson and some areas of Clay and Platte (depending on location)

What to Expect

During FFT, families participate in sessions for 12-14 weekly sessions (the frequency per week and length of each session varies based on each individual family’s needs). Once completed, families can request FFT “booster sessions” for additional support.

FFT consists of three major phases: engagement and motivation, behavior change, and generalization. Each phase has its own goals, focus, and intervention strategies.

FFT is structured in three phases: engagement and motivation, behavior change, and generalization, each with specific goals and strategies.

• Phase 1: Engagement and Motivation During this phase, each family member will complete an initial assessment. We will collaborate with you to enhance family members’ perception of therapy and create a positive motivational context to decrease family hostility, conflict, and blame. During this time, your therapist will demonstrate their sincere desire to listen, help, and respect the entire family. In therapy, your therapist will work with the whole family to identify negative interaction patterns and introduce positive alternatives to replace them.
• Phase 2: Behavior Change During this phase, the family will work together to develop and implement family-specific change plans. Change plans are created with the family’s weaknesses and opportunities –, as well as each individual’s skills and strengths – kept in mind. The reason for new behaviors will be briefly explained, followed by family practice of new skills. Your therapist will provide coaching and support while working on skills such as communication tools that align with your family’s goals.
• Phase 3: Generalization The primary goals in this phase are to extend the improvements made during Behavior Change into multiple areas and to plan for future challenges. This can include focusing on specific interventions that your family should continue to practice even after completing the FFT program and developing a plan for relapse prevention. They will also provide resources for ongoing support, such as outpatient counseling, as determined by each family’s unique situation.

Upon completion, your family will have stronger communication skills, effective parenting responses to inappropriate behaviors, and a strategy for managing other challenges that may occur in the future. Additionally, you can expect to receive a follow-up within 60 days of being discharged from the FFT program.

Make a Referral

Our team eliminates barriers to receiving therapy, such as transportation and childcare, by offering in-home sessions during the day, evening, or weekend. If you have any barriers to care, please let your therapist know. Otherwise, please contact us to learn more or make a referral:

• Kansas: