Brief Strategic Family Therapy: Implementing evidence-based models in community settings

Abstract: Objective: To review a 40-year collaborative partnership between clinical researchers and clinicians, in developing, investigating and implementing Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT). Method: First, to review theory, practice and studies related to this evidenced-based therapy intervention targeting adolescent drug abuse and delinquency. Second, to present the BSFT Implementation Model created for the BSFT intervention—a model that parallels many of the recommendations from the implementation science literature. Results: Specific challenges encountered during the BSFT implementation process are reviewed, along with ways of conceptualizing and addressing these challenges from a systemic perspective. Conclusion: The BSFT implementation uses the same systemic principles and intervention techniques as those that underlie the BSFT clinical model. Building on our on-the-ground experiences, recommendations are proposed for advancing the field of implementation science.