What Family Therapy is:
Family therapy at TAP utilizes principles of Multisystemic Therapy (MST), Family Integrated Transitions (FIT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), all of which are evidence based treatments for addressing high-risk problem behaviors in adolescents. MST, FIT, and DBT incorporate behavioral and cognitive techniques to increase effective parenting strategies that both strengthen the relationship and support long-lasting change. These treatments are action-oriented, strengths-based approaches that empower parents in their roles and teach adolescents effective communication and self-regulation strategies.

What Family Therapy treats:
Family therapy at TAP is geared towards addressing problem behaviors in adolescents, such as school truancy, physical/verbal aggression, impulsive behaviors, and problematic relationship dynamics. Family therapy generally involves the participation of the parents/caregivers and the identified child, and it may also involve siblings. Collaboration and clear benchmarks of improvement will be created and developed together in the initial sessions. Through the use of problem solving techniques and skill building, families will be able to translate what is being taught and practiced in therapy sessions to home life. 
 
At TAP, we also offer behavioral parent training, which involves parents and caregivers but does not involve children. The focus of treatment is to help parents identify specific problem behaviors they would like to change in their child or children, how to reduce those behaviors, and how to reinforce or reward more effective behaviors.