Multiple-Family Therapy Groups: A Responsive Intervention Model for Inner-City Families

Having parents and their children meet together to share informa­ tion, address common concerns, or develop supportive networks can be an efficient and effective means of providing child and family mental health services. This chapter will provide a clinical description of a multiple-family therapy group (MFTG) developed to meet the needs of inner-city children and their families at an urban child mental health center. The development of responsive intervention modalities for low-income minority children and fami­ lies is critical given their increased risk for psychopathology. Yet, there are clear indications that this vulnerable client population is less likely to be met by responsive service providers and relevant intervention modalities (Kazdin, 1993; Tuma, 1 989; Brandenburg et aI. , 1 987; Cheung and Snowden, 1 989; Flaskerud, 1986; Gary, 1 982; Sue, 1 977). MFTGs offer the opportunity to decrease the stigma associated with mental health services and increase engage­ ment of "at-risk" children and families (Aponte et aI. , 1 99 1 ; Boyd­ Franklin, 1 993). In this chapter, multiple family therapy groups will be defmed and a brief literature review of their past uses and clini­ cal benefits will be presented. A model for how MFTGs can address child behavioral difficulties will be outlined. Goals and format of these groups will be discussed. The structure and process by which these groups address the needs of inner-city children and families will be discussed. Case examples will highlight the opportunities for change that the group provides. Obstacles that group facilitators must confront will also be identified.