Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN)

For families with children, ages 6-17, with serious clinical needs who have come to the attention of child protective services (CPS) due to physical abuse and/or neglect. Clinicians work on a team of 3 therapists, a crisis caseworker, a part-time psychiatrist who can treat children and adults, and a full-time supervisor. Each therapist carries a maximum caseload of 4 families. Treatment is provided to all adults and children in the family. Services are provided in the family’s home or other convenient places. Extensive safety protocols are geared towards preventing re-abuse and placement of children and the team works to foster a close working relationship between CPS and the family. Evidence-based treatments are used when needed and include functional analysis of the use of force, family communication, and problem solving, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anger management and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), clarification of the abuse or neglect, and Reinforcement-Based Therapy (RBT) for adult substance abuse. 

Focus Population
Families, Children, Adolescents
Target Problems or Risk Factors
Alcohol, Conduct/Behavior, Domestic Violence, Drug Problems, Mental Health Problems
Level of Intervention
Indicated
Settings in Which Program Can Be Delivered
Community, Home, School
Latinos in Participant Samples
Yes - Minimal (≤15%)
Type of Program
Generic
Registry
CEBC
Strength of Evidentiary Support
1-Star (⭐) CEBC - Interventions for Abuse Behavior
Cost of the Program
No
Availability of the program in Spanish and/or Portuguese
No
Contact Information
Melanie Duncan, PhD
MST Services
E-mail: melanie.duncan@mstservices.com
Phone: (843) 284-2221
Fax: (843) 856-8227