MST-EA Therapist

The MST-EA program provides intensive, evidence-based, home- and community-based treatment to transition-aged youth and emerging adults ages 17 to 26 who are transitioning from group residential care back to their families, communities, and natural support networks. Using the Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults (MST-EA) model, the program works to reduce behaviors that place youth at risk for placement disruption or reentry into higher levels of care and to promote successful, sustainable community reintegration.

Services begin prior to discharge from residential care and continue following the youth’s transition to the community. Treatment focuses on addressing the individual, family, peer, school, employment, behavioral health, and community factors that impact stability and functioning. Through intensive clinical intervention, collaboration with caregivers and natural supports, safety planning, and coordination with community systems, MST-EA helps emerging adults and their support networks develop the skills and resources necessary to manage challenges independently, strengthen stability, and achieve long-term success in the community.

The MST-EA Therapist provides intensive, evidence-based clinical services to transition-aged youth and emerging adults ages 17 to 26 as they transition from residential care to their families, communities, and natural support networks. The therapist works with youth beginning approximately two months prior to discharge and may continue providing services for up to 10 months following discharge.

The MST-EA Therapist works primarily in the home and community and partners with the emerging adult, caregivers, natural supports, and other involved systems to:

• Support a successful transition from residential care to the community and reduce the risk of placement disruption or reentry into a higher level of care.
• Reduce the frequency and severity of behaviors that interfere with the emerging adult’s safety, stability, relationships, education, employment, and successful community functioning.
• Identify and address individual, family, peer, school, employment, behavioral health, and community factors that contribute to identified concerns.
• Strengthen the emerging adult’s natural support network and build the skills and resources necessary to respond effectively to challenges and maintain progress following treatment.
• Provide intensive, individualized treatment using the MST-EA model, including frequent home and community-based sessions, ongoing assessment, safety planning, care coordination, and collaboration with relevant systems.
• Support continuity of care between Cedar Knolls House and Kaplan House residential programs and the emerging adult’s community-based support throughout the transition and discharge process.

Conduct mental status examinations and ongoing clinical and safety assessments as clinically indicated.

• Conduct comprehensive MST-EA assessments, including reviewing referral information, identifying and engaging key participants, assessing systemic strengths and barriers, and developing an understanding of how identified behaviors function within the emerging adult’s ecological environment.
• Engage emerging adults, caregivers, family members, and other identified natural supports in active, change-oriented treatment by identifying and addressing barriers to engagement.
• Develop and maintain individualized, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive treatment plans in collaboration with the emerging adult and their identified support network.
• Conduct ongoing safety and risk assessments and develop, implement, and update comprehensive safety plans as clinically indicated.
• Participate in the program’s on call coverage…