Functional Family Therapy (FFT) began over 50 years ago and was developed by Jim Alexander as a different model to help adolescents and their families with family challenging dynamics. The model was developed in the early 1970’s and borrowed from different areas of therapy like behavioural and family systems. Jim used these theories to create the FFT model which is a phase-based model where therapists use different techniques to create trust, build hope and reduce risk. After development of the model and up until 1982, Jim led the first randomised controlled trial of FFT to assess the impact of FFT on families against alternative treatments. The trial found that FFT had a really positive impact.
Between 1983 and 1991, the FFT model underwent refinement, and more research was conducted by independent researchers to replicate the model, with the research finding positive impacts of FFT on serious youth offenders. Other research that was conducted found that FFT had an impact on preventing foster placement for youth and families and youth with substance abuse issues. In 1986, Jim received the Distinguished Contribution to Family Therapy Research Award from the American Family Therapy Academy.
From 1992 to 2001, multiple organisations recognised FFT as an evidence-based model, based on the research findings from 1973 to 1991. This was a significant milestone for FFT, along with the publication of a study in Sweden of the first international replication of FFT. By this stage, the FFT model was being rolled out by community organisations across the USA and was helping over 2000 youth and family members.
From 2002 onwards, FFT expanded globally. In 2018 the first peer-review study was published, demonstrating the positive impact that the child protection arm of FFT, FFT-Child Welfare (FFT-CW) had on families. At present, there are 340 teams serving over 40,000 youth and family members across ten countries. Over 31,500 youth and families have participated in multiple research studies and there have been 72 peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of FFT and its variations. FFT-CW started in Australia in 2017 and NCNS is proud to have been delivering FFT-CW since then, across the Penrith, Blue Mountains and Lithgow areas.
Article Written by Wendy Adams
NCNS – Family Practitioner