Functional Family Therapy

What is Functional Family Therapy (FFT)?

FFT is a short term (approximately four (4) months), high-intensity therapeutic
family intervention. FFT focuses on the relationships and dynamics within the
family unit. Therapists work with families to assess family behaviors that maintain
delinquent behavior, modify dysfunctional family communication, teach family
members to negotiate effectively, set clear rules about privileges and
responsibilities, and generalize changes to community contexts and relationships.
Does it work?
FFT is a well-established, evidence-based intervention model utilized in twelve (12)
countries, including the United States. FFT has shown to reduce recidivism as much
as 50%. FFT also has the added benefit of cost savings allowing West Virginia to
reinvest dollars saved to fund more community based programs like FFT.
Who should be referred for FFT?
The target population for FFT is generally limited to males and females between the
ages of 11-18 with a diagnosed mental or behavioral disorder whom:

Have been charged, or are at-risk of being charged, with a status offense, and
are at-risk of being placed outside of the home, or;
Have been charged, or at-risk of being charged, with a delinquent act, and
are at-risk of being placed outside of the home, or;
Are transitioning from out-of-home placement back to their community and
are in need of intensive family therapy to be successful, and;
Have been referred by the youths school, Juvenile Probation Officer or other
court official, or local DHHR.

Youth who fall within the recommended age range who may be in jeopardy of, or are
in, contact with the judicial system as a victim of abuse and neglect may be
considered appropriate for FFT involvement. In these cases contact should be made
with the provider agency to discuss appropriateness of the referral.
Youth who are considered unstable at the current time (homicidal, suicidal) or are in need of
specific treatment for sexually acting out behaviors must receive treatment for those
behaviors and threats prior to the entry of FFT services. Please contact your local FFT
provider prior to recommending a family, in order to discuss the appropriateness of the
family for FFT intervention.

How is FFT different from other family therapy services provided?

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FFT provides intensive services up front and focuses on motivating the family as a
unit to make positive changes needed to improve outcomes. Within the first week
of therapy a family will likely have participated in three (3) to four (4) therapy
sessions, each lasting on average one hour.
Each FFT session will engage all appropriate family members and extended family
which play an integral role in the familys daily life and activities (children under 11
may not be considered appropriate and each situation will be judged based on the
particular circumstances of the family). If family members cannot be present, or
participate by phone, during a scheduled therapy session, the therapy session will
be rescheduled.
FFT is designed to be the primary service a family is involved in. This makes it
easier for a family as it reduces the number of providers, plans, requirements a
family may have to keep up with.FFT therapists will also provide guidance to
caretakers on how to complete needed activities, such as making referrals to health
care providers, psychologists, or other services a family may need to improve
functioning within their family unit. This education helps the family to remain
uninvolved with child serving systems after discharge from the FFT program.
Dr. James Alexander, founder of FFT, established a training organization (FFT, llc.) to
help interested communities provide this intensive service effectively. Our West
Virginia providers have, and continue to receive training from FFT, llc, which
includes on-going weekly consultations with the FFT provider teams. West Virginia
will continue to receive training and technical assistance for approximately three
years, ensuring our West Virginia providers have the on-going support they need to
effectively provide FFT to our families.
FFT therapists are limited to no more than twelve (12) cases and no less than five
(5) cases at any given time. This ensures that the FFT clinician remains active in
providing FFT, continually refining their skill set, and that no therapists gets to
overwhelmed with cases negatively impacting their quality of work.
What should participating families know about FFT?
Families who are referred for FFT should understand that FFT is a family
intervention. FFT requires the participation and engagement of all necessary family
members and therapy sessions will not occur without full participation.
It should be explained to families that FFT is a short term intervention that usually
lasts three (3) to six (6) months. Families will likely feel the positive effects after the
first few sessions.
Families must understand the intensive intervention strategies of FFT. Families may
be seen multiple times a week for the first few weeks, with fewer sessions being
scheduled as the family progresses through the program.
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Where is FFT available and who can I refer a family too?

FFT is currently available in 33 counties. The Bureau for Children and Families will
continue to work with FFT, llc and our providers to expand our capacity to provide
this proven-effective service.
Berkeley
Board of Child Care
Caren Forestandi
(304)267-3301

Marion
Genesis
Brandi Robinson
304-622-1907 ext. 112

Childrens Home Society

FFT Martinsburg Centralized Intake
(304)264-0225

National Youth Advocate Program

Heather Ryan
(304)366-5832

National Youth Advocate Program

Heather Ryan
(304)366-5832

United Summit Center

Lisa Price
304-623-5661

Barbour
Elkins Mountain School
Christi Flynn
(304)633-8000

McDowell
Family Options Providers
Mary Souder or
Suzanna Day
(304) 254-9610

Genesis
Brandi Robinson
304-622-1907 ext. 112
Boone
Prestera Center
Lisa Zappia
304-399-1210
Braxton
United Summit Center
Lisa Price
304-623-5661
Brooke
Youth Service Systems
Centralized Intake
Worker of the Day
304-233-9627 or
1-800-977-8918

Monongalia
National Youth Advocate Program
Heather Ryan
(304)366-5832
United Summit Center
Lisa Price
304-623-5661
Morgan
Board of Child Care
Caren Forestandi
(304)267-3301
Childrens Home Society
FFT Martinsburg Centralized Intake
(304)264-0225
Ohio

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Cabell
Lasting Solutions
Carey Webb
304.444.7333 (cell)
304.941.6256 (office)

Youth Service Systems

Centralized Intake
Worker of the Day
304-233-9627 or
1-800-977-8918

Prestera Center
Lisa Zappia
304-399-1210

Putnam
Prestera Center
Lisa Zappia
304-399-1210

Doddridge
Genesis
Brandi Robinson
304-622-1907 ext. 112

Lasting Solutions
Carey Webb
304.444.7333 (cell)
304.941.6256 (office)

United Summit Center

Lisa Price
304-623-5661

Preston
United Summit Center
Lisa Price
304-623-5661

Fayette
Family Options Providers
Mary Souder or
Suzanna Day
(304) 254-9610
Gilmer
United Summit Center
Lisa Price
304-623-5661
Hancock
Youth Service Systems
Centralized Intake
Worker of the Day
304-233-9627 or
1-800-977-8918
Harrison
Genesis
Brandi Robinson
304-622-1907 ext. 112

Raleigh
Family Options Providers
Mary Souder or
Suzanna Day
(304) 254-9610
Randolph
Elkins Mountain School
Christi Flynn
(304)633-8000
Taylor
Elkins Mountain School
Christi Flynn
(304)633-8000
Genesis
Brandi Robinson
304-622-1907 ext. 112
United Summit Center
Lisa Price

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United Summit Center

Lisa Price
304-623-5661
Jefferson
Board of Child Care
Caren Forestandi
(304)267-3301
Childrens Home Society
FFT Martinsburg Centralized Intake
(304)264-0225
National Youth Advocate Program
Heather Ryan
(304)366-5832
Kanawha
Prestera Center
Lisa Zappia
304-399-1210
Lasting Solutions
Carey Webb
304.444.7333 (cell)
304.941.6256 (office)
Lewis
Elkins Mountain School
Christi Flynn
(304)633-8000
Genesis
Brandi Robinson
304-622-1907 ext. 112

304-623-5661
Tucker
Elkins Mountain School
Christi Flynn
(304)633-8000
Tyler
Youth Service Systems
Centralized Intake
Worker of the Day
304-233-9627 or
1-800-977-8918

Upshur
Elkins Mountain School
Christi Flynn
(304)633-8000
Genesis
Brandi Robinson
304-622-1907 ext. 112
United Summit Center
Lisa Price
304-623-5661
Wayne
Prestera Center
Lisa Zappia
304-399-1210

United Summit Center

Lisa Price
304-623-5661

Wetzel
Youth Service Systems
Centralized Intake
Worker of the Day
304-233-9627 or
1-800-977-8918

Lincoln
Lasting Solutions
Carey Webb

Wirt
Childrens Home Society
FFT Parkersburg Centralized Intake

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304.444.7333 (cell)
304.941.6256 (office)
Marshall
Youth Service Systems
Centralized Intake
Worker of the Day
304-233-9627 or
1-800-977-8918

(304)485-0650
Wood
Childrens Home Society
FFT Parkersburg Centralized Intake
(304)485-0650

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