In the mid-1990s, Juvenile Justice agencies began sharing information about effective violence prevention programs. Communities were looking for alternatives to removing youth from their homes, and we wanted to be part of the solution. At the time, Cayuga Centers provided congregate care for youth, but research showed it wasn’t as effective as family-based approaches. Because we believe in using evidence-based interventions proven effective by data and we serve populations that other agencies tend to shy away from, we invested in Functional Family Therapy in 1999.
By 2000, Cayuga Centers became the first accredited Functional Family Therapy (FFT) provider in New York State. Today, we remain the longest-running provider of FFT in the country. One of the reasons the program has been so successful for so long is its focus on building on the strengths that already exist within a family.
Functional Family Therapist explains:
“FFT helps our families to become more comfortable with skills involving conflict resolution, anger management, problem solving, and overall communication. Not only this, but to be open to the idea of making positive change that does not change who they are but adds onto their current skill set.”
Studies suggest that when applied as intended, FFT reduces recidivism between 25% and 60%.
How Functional Family Therapy Works
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is designed for adolescents ages 11–18 and their families. Most youth are referred through the educational or juvenile justice system because of truancy, violent behavior, substance use or other issues. Our FFT-certified therapists work with families for 4–6 months, typically in weekly, 60-minute sessions.
During these sessions, therapists guide families through three structured phases:
- Engagement & Motivation – building trust and reducing negativity.
- Behavior Change – practicing new skills such as problem solving, communication, and conflict resolution.
- Generalization – strengthening those skills across different areas of family life.
Therapists usually meet families in their homes, which makes participation easier. Sessions include the referred youth, parents/caregivers, and often siblings.
A Family’s Story
Consider the Sur family, who joined our Functional Family Therapy program when they were struggling to get along. Brooklyn, a teenager, was rebelling by skipping school and spending time with friends who were negative influences. Her mom felt their relationship lacked trust, making it difficult to resolve problems.
Over time, the Sur family grew more open with their therapist. In one emotional session, Brooklyn and her mom began to see each other in a new light. With continued support, their conflicts decreased, and they built the confidence to handle challenges together.
Brooklyn eventually joined a summer program at a local liberal arts college, which positioned her to graduate early. Today, she has a stronger bond with her mom, surrounds herself with more positive friends, and looks forward to her future with confidence.
Why Functional Family Therapy Matters to Communities
We know that most people will struggle with something at some point in their lives. Functional Family Therapy normalizes these struggles, helping families view them in a different light and realize that change is possible.
Our role is to highlight families’ strengths and help them prove to themselves that they are capable of growth.
Assistant Vice President of the Finger Lakes Region sums up the importance of the program and its benefits nicely:
“Meeting somebody in their most vulnerable state, in their environment, allows for a level of change and opportunity that you don’t typically see in other environments… When we are able to align with them in the environment where they most need it, we often see an opportunity for quicker change and an opportunity for more long-term change cause we’re really getting to the root of the problem.”
Does being part of our Functional Family Therapy program sound compelling to you? Explore our career opportunities and discover how rewarding it is to make a difference at Cayuga Centers.
