Multisystemic Therapy (MST)

MST is an intensive, evidence-based, in-home treatment model that keeps high-risk youth with their families and out of the system — backed by decades of independent research and proven results across the country.

74
Published Outcome Studies

140+
Peer-Reviewed Articles

57,000+
Families Studied

$75M+
Research Funding

Who Qualifies For MST?

Youth ages 10–17 (must begin the program prior to their 18th birthday)

Experiencing problems at school or non-attendance

Is involved with delinquent peers

Demonstrates, or has a history of, physical or verbal aggression across settings (which may include threats to others, property damage, punching walls, throwing objects, or slamming doors)

Struggles with substance use (marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, etc.)

Is currently, or has a recent history of, running away

Has a history of or current involvement with the legal system

Has at least one adult caregiver or guardian willing to take part in services

Covered by Medicaid (MST does not currently take private pay or commercial insurance)

What Can Be Expected

Treatment provided in the home and the community

Time-limited treatment of 3–5 months

Therapist available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Flexible schedules to accommodate the needs of the family

Tailored treatments for the unique needs of the family and its members

Therapists with small caseloads to facilitate multiple weekly sessions

Outcomes for Juvenile Offenders

Results sustained over the long term—not just at discharge.

54%

Fewer Rearrests

Sustained over 14 years

75%

Fewer Violent Felony Arrests

Sustained over 22 years

54%

Fewer Out-of-Home Placements

Median across all MST studies

33%

Fewer Days Incarcerated

Sustained over 22 years

The Ripple Effect: A Whole-Family Model

MST treats the youth’s entire ecology—family, peers, school, and home—not just the individual.

300%

Up to 300% more time spent working within the youth’s actual ecology—family, peers, school, and home—not just an office visit

40%

Reduction in overall sibling arrest rates

55%

Reduction in sibling felony arrest rates

94%

Fewer caregiver felonies

4–6
Families Per Therapist

24/7
Therapist Access

3–5 mo.
Typical Treatment Length

Impressive Outcomes

Adolescents who were clinically discharged from MST treatment:

95%

Never Reabuse

86%

Remained Living at Home

91%

Reported No PTSD

Program availability may vary by location.

New Mexico’s Juvenile Justice System at a Glance

86%
No Recidivism Within 2 Years of Discharge

90%
Successful Probation Completion

27%
Fewer Referrals vs. Pre-Pandemic Levels

Source: CYFD Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, Facts About Juvenile Justice in New Mexico, March 2025.

Independently Certified, Nationally Recognized

Blueprints Certified Model+ Program seal

University of Colorado’s Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development has reviewed more than 1,400 youth programs and certified only 6 as “Model+,” its highest tier — MST is one of them. MST’s evidence base is also cited by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the National Institutes of Health, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

Sources: MST Services national outcome data (mstservices.com/proven-results) · CYFD Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, Facts About Juvenile Justice in New Mexico (Mar. 2025)