Jody Herlow's multi-systemic therapy program for troubled adolescents

Therapist: Jody Herlow

Company: Family Life Counseling Center, Mansfield, Ohio

Date of Interview: September 27, 2011

the population they serve

Jodi Herlow is a family therapist and behavioral specialist at Family Life Counseling Center, which is a multi-discipline service. Their practice services the general population and includes both those on public assistance, those with private insurance, and self-pay clients. Their services include a transitions program for adults 55 years and older who have gone to changes in their life and are experiencing adjustment problems. Their services include financial coaching, drug and alcohol abuse problems, and sexual abuse problems for clients of all ages. They also offer a multi-systemic therapy program to help adolescents with behavior problems improve in all areas of their life.

2-The most common diagnosis/diagnosis they see

The most common diagnosis seen in the practice is in the multi-systemic therapy (MST) area of the practice. The most typical age for this program is teens ranging in age from 10 years through age 18. Sometimes the parents of the child refer them to the program, but most often it is through the juvenile court system or through the school systems that clients in this program come to them. Their services are a court approved provider of behavioral therapy for troubled youth.

Many of the youth that are referred for treatment through the program are suspected to have psychological problems such as Attention Deficit Disorder, school issues, anger issues, substance abuse problems. However, more times than not, the problem tends to be a problem involving the many family and social systems in which the youth is involved. Therefore, the entire family must enter into the program to support the youth who was referred to us.

3.-What theorist(s) inform their practice.

According to Jody, the works of B.F. Skinner forms the foundation of much of the behavior modification that takes place within the family. Modern theories of motivation also play a key role in the practice. The program is action oriented and focused on controlling behaviors, as well as resolving emotional conflicts that lead to them. However, because most of the problems involve behaviors at school, behavior modification is the foundation of the initial intervention. Many of the emotional issues and family systemic issues are dealt with later on in the program. The program builds on behavior modification using goals and motivational rewards as a foundation.

4-What books do they read

Because the practice is Christian based, much of the reading involves how to blend psychological principles into a Christian lifestyle. However, not all the clients that we see are Christian and we cannot use the religious aspect in the practice. A majority of the reading tends to be from magazines and academic journals. Anything that has to do with boundaries, family systems, and updates on motivational theory are on the reading list.

7-Their rationale for recommending/implementing the intervention(s)

Interventions at the center do not use a cookie cutter method of therapy. All of the therapists are required to be versed in numerous techniques and theories. The practice is based on the rationale that everyone is an individual and has different motivational factors that affect their behavior. Behavior modification is the backbone of the program, but to use simple reward and punishment is not enough. The focus of the program is defined in an individual's motivations and rewards that will work for them. It is a very personalized approach and therapists must implement whatever they think will best fit the situation.

8-Their referrals to outside resources and summarize the interview

If a problem is found throughout the course of the therapy that suggests that another problem may be present, then the patient will be referred for evaluation by a psychiatrist, or other appropriate medical specialists. Sometimes these may include endocrinologists, neurologists. sleep centers, or other specialties, if an organic reason for the behavior is suspected.

The interview with Jody suggests that a practicing therapist must continually read and update what they know. Although, a therapist may have one theory that they rely upon as the backbone of their practice, they must treat their patients as individuals. A one size fits all approach does not work. They must to gain the broadest knowledge possible in as many areas as possible in order to be effective in their practice. The more knowledge a therapist has, the better they will be able to help their patients and cope with the diversity of situations that they will see.