Southwest Family has adapted to meet the needs of our community. SWFGC is fully enabled to safely and securely deliver all services via telephone and video conferencing. We are open for referrals and have availability.
Online intake forms are available in a safe, encrypted, and secure format.
For more than 30 years, MST has consistently demonstrated positive outcomes with chronic juvenile offenders. Based on the program’s success, rigorous randomized trials were conducted to explore the feasibility and effects of adaptations of MST with other target populations. Results have been positive for treating problem sexual behavior, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, serious emotional disturbances and chronic health care conditions. This document highlights the many areas of MST research and proven outcomes with traditional MST and MST clinical adaptations as well as research on the transport of MST to community practice settings.
Download Complete List Of MST Outcome Studies
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
• 62 published outcome, implementation and benchmarking studies
• Yielding more than 120 published, peer-reviewed journal articles
• More than 48,000 families included across all studies
• 25 randomized trials
• 41 of the 62 studies conducted by independent researchers (not involving an MST model developer)
• 16 outcome studies using MST with serious juvenile offenders:
• 11 randomized trials
• 7 independent studies
• 2 international studies
• 12 outcome studies using MST with adolescents with serious conduct problems
• 4 randomized trials
• 11 independent studies
• 6 international studies
• 2 outcome studies with substanceabusing or -dependent juvenile offenders (MST-Substance Abuse)
• 3 outcome studies with juvenile sexual offenders (MST-Problem Sexual Behavior)
• 3 outcome studies with youths presenting serious emotional disturbance (MST-Psychiatric)
• 3 outcome studies with maltreating families (MST-Child Abuse and Neglect)
• 6 outcome studies with adolescents with chronic health care conditions (MST-Health Care)
• 5 independent
• 15 implementation studies
• 11 independent
• 13 treatment process studies
• 10 independent
• 10 cost related studies
• 5 independent
MST RESEARCH DEMONSTRATES
• Long-term re-arrest rates in studies with serious juvenile offenders reduced by median of 42%
• Out-of-home placements, across all MST studies, reduced by a median of 54%
• Improved family functioning
• Decreased substance use among youth
• Fewer mental-health problems for youth
• Higher levels of client satisfaction
• Considerable cost savings
MST’S POSITIVE RESULTS ARE LONG LASTING
A 22-year, follow-up study showed youths who received MST had
• 36% fewer felony arrests
• 75% fewer violent felony arrests
• 33% fewer days incarcerated
• 37% fewer divorce, paternity and child support suits
• 56% fewer felony arrests for siblings
MST has proven the importance of treatment adherence
• High therapist adherence can reduce the number of youth criminal charges by 36 percent
• High supervisor adherence can reduce the number of youth criminal charges by 53 percent
(See publications in Study #11)
MST has been effectively transported to community practice settings
• MST currently has more than 500 active programs.
• Adherence measures demonstrate that MST is being delivered with high levels of fidelity.
• Outcomes in community practice settings are similar to those of university-based trials.
MST theory of change has been supported by treatment process research
• Mediation and qualitative studies have demonstrated the importance of improving family relations as the mechanism to reduce youth antisocial behavior.
(See publications in Studies #8, #22, #26, #29, #31, #39 and #54)
EMDR therapy works with the understanding that the mind, like the body, has the capacity heal. Standing for “Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing,” EMDR is a proven and effective treatment for treating trauma in individuals of all ages.[1] EMDR addresses all trauma equally, identifying it as any experience that has an ongoing negative impact.
Just as some injuries are too great for the body to recover from without help, some emotional traumas are also too strong. The processing of traumatic experiences can become trapped in a cyclical pattern—a constant reliving of negative emotions. This affliction can sometimes be so great that it begins to dominate and even damage daily life. EMDR therapy is useful to break this pattern in the brain, helping us to learn from negative experiences, and process them in a healthy way.
During an EMDR session, the client recalls painful or disturbing events while engaging in specialized eye movements, while a therapist facilitates learning, coping, and reprocessing the memories. Though this may sound simplistic, numerous studies confirm that EMDR is an effective treatment for all ages and backgrounds, especially when other forms of therapy have proven inadequate.[2]
EMDR therapy is applied with a three-pronged approach, addressing:
If you are interested in learning more about EMDR therapy or think that you or your family could benefit from any of the many programs at Southwest Family Guidance Center, please call (505) 830 1871 and request to speak to a supervisor.
[1] “Research has shown that about five hours of EMDR treatment eliminates PTSD in 84 to 100 percent of civilians with a single trauma experience, including rape, accident, or disaster. When civilians experience multiple traumas, more treatment is needed. Research indicates that about eight to twelve hours of treatment can result in a 77 to 80 percent elimination of multiple-trauma PTSD in civilians.” —Shapiro and Forrest, 2016.
[2] For more discussion of EMDR therapies, as well as citations for studies attesting to its effectiveness in different populations, please see Shapiro and Forrest, 2016, especially pp. 5-7.
Southwest Family’s Las Cruces MST Team has received the impressive Sustained Excellence Award for Team Adherence. Las Cruces MST therapist, Megan Garcia, was also presented with an Excellence Award for Therapist Adherence.
These awards are presented to only the top 1% of therapists and teams nationwide.
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an evidence-based treatment model that engages both the client directly and the greater social systems they operate within: family, school, work and community. By tailoring treatment to the needs of the client and family, MST Therapists provide individualized care that addresses underlying behavioral issues. More information >
MST Adherence Awards are based on how well the therapist and team are delivering fidelity to the MST Model. Feedback from client families are tracked to measure MST adherence and effectiveness.
Congratulations Las Cruces and Megan for your excellent work—you are an inspiration!
Play therapy isn’t simply entertaining a child and calling it beneficial. It’s a delicate and sophisticated way to diagnose and measure internal emotional dynamics that might not easily be identified though more straightforward clinical approaches.
Play Therapy is a safe, effective and nonjudgmental way for a child to express his or her feelings and experiences. As the therapist engages with the child in play therapy, they allow the child to lead the process. The child begins to unconsciously express what is going on both in their lives and minds. In a play situation, a therapist can identify problematic behaviors by observing how a child interacts in a make-believe scenario. Often, a child will be provided with toys and will act out a scenario, while the therapist can either engage and play a part in the scenario, or simply observe. If, for example, a child creates a troubling or problematic relationship between two toys/characters, this scenario can help a therapist to recognize certain issues and identify how to help the child begin resolving these issues, whether they be violent, abusive, fearful, etc.
By engaging in Play Therapy, a therapist can help a child to improve communication skills, modify troubling behavior, express feelings in a healthy and safe way, and learn to better problem solve and interact with the world around them.[1]
Play Therapy can help to not only diagnose and understand a child, but also measure their progression. As a child progresses emotionally, parents or teachers may notice the child is doing a lot better, and this change often correlates with a positive change in his/her play. As therapy progresses, the child’s play often shifts to become more age-appropriate and nurturing. For instance, rather than creating an aggressor/victim dynamic, the child may present a scenario where they are taking care of somebody or engaging in a more natural and healthy way.
If you are interested in learning more about play therapy or think that you or your family could benefit from any of the many programs at Southwest Family Guidance Center, please call (505) 830 1871 and request to speak to a supervisor.
[1] Research supports the effectiveness of play therapy with children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and learning problems, including: children whose problems are related to life stressors, such as divorce, death, relocation, hospitalization, chronic illness, assimilate stressful experiences, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, and natural disasters. —Reddy, Files-Hall, & Schaefer, 2005
Southwest Family Guidance Center’s MST-PSB program has received a rare distinction for addressing youth with problem sexual behaviors. Blueprints, a nonprofit evaluator of evidence based programs, with the endorsement of MST Associates (the body who developed and oversees all MST-PSB programs on a nation level), has singled out SWFGC as the first “Model Agency” for the implementation of MST-PSB, embodying a high standard and showing how this important and often sensitive issue can be sustainably addressed. More than 1,400 programs have been reviewed by Blueprints, yet less than 5% have been designated as model or promising programs. We are honored to be the very first Model Agency recognize for MST-PSB, and for having an positive impact within this socially difficult issue.
Multi-Systemic Therapy for Problem Sexual Behavior (MST-PSB) is a state-of-the-art, evidence-based practice developed to address problematic sexual behavior by juveniles. The program embraces the client’s needs and systems in the real world, including at home, at school, and in the community. In 2009 SWFGC was chosen as one of two New Mexico agencies to pilot MST-PSB in New Mexico, and currently has three MST-PSB teams serving Bernalillo, Doña Ana, Sandoval and Valencia counties. There are upwards of 40 MST-PSB teams now up and running internationally. More Information About MST-PSB
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development is a nonprofit organization that provides a registry of evidence-based, youth development programs designed to promote the health and well-being of children and teens. Blueprints programs are family, school, and community-based and target all levels of need — from broad prevention programs that promote positive behaviors while decreasing negative behaviors, to highly-targeted programs for at-risk children and troubled teens that get them back on track. Blueprints Website
MST Associates is the licensing body for the implementation of MST-PSB, incorporating intensive quality assurance and fidelity measures into all aspects of the treatment delivery system. MST Associates Website
Southwest Family Guidance Center, a growing and thriving counseling agency with offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Lunas, and Las Cruces, always accepts resumes for Therapist positions.
Successful candidates must have a current, active counseling or social work license: LADAC, LMHC, LPCC, LAMFT, LMFT, LMSW, LISW, or LCSW. Work will be school-based and/or office-based, with children and young adults ages 5–18 and their families. The ideal candidate can commit to 20+ client contact hours each week.
Required attributes include, but are not limited to, the ability to maintain confidentiality at all times; a proactive work ethic; reliability and dependability; superior written and verbal communication skills; and proficient computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite applications. Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates are encouraged to apply.
Compensation rates are based on licensure level and will be discussed during the interview.
Interested candidates should email a cover letter and current resume to recruiting@swfamily.com.
Current Openings:
MST Therapists Wanted For Bernalillo, Santa Fe & Valencia Counties
Outpatient Therapist Wanted For Albuquerque
Community Support Worker Wanted For Santa Fe
MST Supervisor Wanted
For 3 years, Southwest Family Guidance Center & Institute has partnered with the New Mexico Child Abuse Prevention Partnership (NMCAPP). Because of the work with child abuse issues we perform throughout the state, our agency was awarded the “Precious Gems Award” at NMCAPP’s 2016 Precious Gems Gala. The award recognizes our collaboration with NMCAPP and the Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD), other agencies throughout the state, and for our enduring work in preventing and eliminating child abuse in New Mexico.
We are honored for our recognition and grateful for everyone’s contributions toward this important work. The link below will take you to the New Mexico Child Abuse Prevention Partnership website where you can learn more about this wonderful organization.
Does this sound like a typical day for your family? Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast (maybe), feed kids, search for backpacks, pack lunch, find shoes under the couch, run late to school, run late to work, work all day, run errands, pick up kids, soccer practice, forget to pick up dry cleaning, make dinner, homework, bathe kids, put kids to bed, flop on the couch, sigh.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. You are one of the millions of parents juggling multiple commitments and obligations as you do your best to raise your family. And few times of year are more stressful or busy than back to school time. Attunetion can help you manage the back to school blues.
We all know that managing daily stress can lead to happier, more connected families and fewer negative outcomes for our kids. When we feel like we have a handle on life’s daily tasks, we are more able to really TUNE in to what’s going on with our kids. For example, if you’re trying to fold laundry, email your boss and make dinner at the same time, you may miss the failing report card or note from the principle that your child tries to sneak past you. In a world full of distraction and multitasking, it’s so important for parents to STOP and tune in to your kids. And you can only do that when your stress is under control.
The Attunetion Approach can help you get a handle on back to school stress so you can focus on what matters most; the well being of your family!
What is the right thing to pay attention to?
How can you think about the right time when it comes to back-to-school stress?
Five easy tips to manage back-to-school stress:
As we all know, bullying has become an epidemic, a hot topic, a buzz word. We have all seen the heart-breaking news stories of young people committing suicide to escape the shame, anger, isolation and fear that they have experienced as a result of incessant bullying at school and online. For most of us, we count ourselves lucky that no one we know has paid such a tragic price for being different or being picked on. But for a lot of us, we know someone, even if it is ourselves, who has been deeply and permanently affected by bullying, whether it took place last week or 30 years ago.
So many parents have been asking me how to talk to their kids about bullying. For some parents, they are struggling to support a child that is being teased and exploited every day and no longer wants to attend school. For others, they are trying to understand how their child has become a bully and searching for ways to put a stop to it.
While I could devote many pages to these delicate topics, I’d like to share just a few thoughts and suggestions to parents, educators, clinicians, and all the adults out there who interact with our youth.
When talking to a young person about bullying:
DO: Listen. Listening is the most simple, yet most powerful way to connect to another person. By letting the child tell you their thoughts, experiences and feelings, they begin to feel understood and connected.
DO: Ask questions. Use open ended questions to help your child verbalize difficult thoughts and feelings. “What is that like for you?” “What do you think might make a difference?” “How can I help you?”
DO: Listen again! More most of life’s problems, a loving person’s full attention makes such a difference. The more you listen, the more your kids will share, the better equipped you are to help them.
DON’T: Rush. Rushing through a conversation tells your child that you don’t really have time to devote to this. If they feel rushed, they will tell you less and you have less of a chance of making a difference.
DON’T: Dismiss. It’s tempting to tell our kids that things will get better, we’ve all been there, and to just ignore the bully. The truth is none of those statements make your child feel heard and understood. Be willing to sit in the pain and discomfort with them and acknowledge that it is real.
DON’T: React. Calling the offender’s parents or storming into school threatening to sue them will shut your kid down immediately. Most kids don’t tell adults about bullying because they fear embarrassment and retaliation. And by reacting out of anger and panic, your are not modeling good decision making skills for your child.
Now, I know this all sounds so easy and the truth is that for parents navigating the world of bullies and victims, there is NOTHING easy about it. But it certainly won’t make things worse to stop, tune in to your child and ask yourself what’s most important. You might be surprised how, through listening and reflection, the right thing to do will naturally emerge.
