The American Psychological Association (APA) recently published a video series of FFT practice with a family by FFT Partners CEO and Model Developer Dr. Tom Sexton. One of the primary components of the FFT model involves shaping the family’s motivation to change by fostering more positive self-perceptions in each family member. Evidence-based interventions and treatment planning make up the core of the approach, including a post-session feedback form to elicit information about how therapy is working for the family. See blog post dated November 2022 “Family Voice”. This feedback is used to shape subsequent sessions, increasing the likelihood for positive outcomes.
In this video program, Dr. Sexton demonstrates this approach with a family of four, including adolescent twin daughters who are exhibiting behavioral issues in school and at home. In the interview with host Dr. Laura Levin, Dr. Sexton discusses how he worked with all family members to foster a collaborative alliance to effect positive change, along with a guided discussion regarding the theory, approach, and implementation of FFT. Please note this session features a family portrayed by actors on the basis of a composite of different cases.
Per their website, “the APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the US with more than 122,000 researchers’ educators, clinicians, consultants and students as its members.” The APA produces books and video on the most current practices in the field. The video series is available for purchase on the APA site:
https://www.apa.org/pubs/videos/functional-family-therapy-online