Family
Centered
Treatment ®

FCT is an evidence-based trauma treatment model of home-based family therapy focusing on holistic, family derived goals related to family functioning, preservation, permanency, and reunification. FCT aides in identifying practical solutions for those faced with disruption or dissolution of the family due to external and/or internal circumstances such as child welfare, mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and juvenile justice. A core belief of FCT is that recipients are families with tremendous internal strengths and resources. Goals are collaboratively developed from these resiliency factors. Families engage in experiential activities inclusive of cultural, generational, systemic, and trauma influences. The 4-phase model is rooted in Eco Structural Family Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy enhanced with practitioner feedback and family voice. Families uncover inherent values and beliefs while restoring safety, belongingness and connectedness.

1. Enable family stability via preservation of or development of family placement or reunification by fostering necessary shifts in family functioning that underly the causes of family dissolution.
2. Address maladaptive behaviors affecting family functioning by experientially practicing new interactions and learning the underlying function of the behaviors while developing an emotional and functional balance so the family can cope effectively with present and future challenges.
3. Support discovery and effective use of the intrinsic strengths necessary for sustaining change and upholding stability by incorporating generational, cultural and systemic influences of trauma while harnessing the power of giving and instilling hope.

FCT typically requires 6 months of treatment with an average of 50-70 face-to-face sessions. Generally, families receive 2 or more sessions per week for 4 or more hours per week. These sessions may comprise of individual, family, or involve various combinations of family members as appropriate. Sessions times are tailored to meet when the family is most in need. FCT practitioners are available 24/7 for crisis response. Families participate in between-session homework, and during sessions families provide their voice to indicate phase progression through completion of fidelity measures and transitional indicators. All involved parties, professional and personal, invested in the family’s success, are integral in the formulation of shared goals and ongoing goal attainment. Caregivers and children both participate in assessment, including written assessment tools such as the Family Assessment Device (FAD) and Care Process Model-Pediatric Trauma Screener (CPM-PTS), interviews inclusive of interactive drawing, and behavioral observations of the family interacting in their home environment.

FCT has practice-based evidence, research evidence, and traditional knowledge to support its benefits.

FCT was developed by practitioners working with families for practical solutions from real experiences for families faced with the disruption of their family due to external and/or internal stressors, circumstances, or removal of their children from the home due to the youth’s or caregiver’s behaviors or children returning from out of home placement. The majority of children, youth, and families involved in the initial development of this practice identified as numerous ethnic/racial groups, lived in rural, urban, frontier, or mixed geographical area environments, and spoke English or Spanish at home.

Additionally, there have been adaptations of the practice. FCT-Recovery layers the evidence based, in-home treatment model of FCT, with sobriety support and interventions when there is substance misuse by a parent/caregiver. There are translations of FCT materials for children, youth, and families available in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Tracked outcomes include fidelity transitional indicators, phase progression, demographics, and clinical outcome measures. Families complete the FAD and CPM-PTS throughout treatment to assess progress. At closure, family and practitioner voices are captured with their perceived goal progress, placement of children, and reason for case closure.

Children and families who participate in FCT demonstrate family-based permanency associated with children’s safety, permanency goals, and well-being. Children who participated in FCT are more likely to remain in-home during their involvement with social services, as well as be reunited with their family in a shorter timeframe.