Browse All Topics

Programs that specialize in providing mental health treatment services for juvenile offenders that are based on an approach developed by the Family Services Research Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. MST programs target chronic, violent or substance abusing juvenile offenders; often serve as an alternative to residential treatment; and aim to improve caregiver discipline practices, enhance family affective relations, decrease youth association with deviant peers, increase youth association with pro-social peers, improve youth school or vocational performance, engage youth in pro-social recreational outlets, and develop an indigenous support network of extended family, neighbors, and friends to help caregivers achieve and maintain such changes. Specific treatment techniques include cognitive behavioral, behavioral, and pragmatic family therapies.