Community Family Therapy

Designed within the realm of a theoretical and practical alliance between the family therapy and human services worlds, Community Family Therapy (CFT) was developed after the premise that dysfunctions and mental health problems are commonly seen in economically deprived and socially destitute families are also influenced by underdevelopment,  limited access to material and human resources, chronic exposure to physically and socially toxic environments, limited opportunities to positive experiences and disengagement from civic life. In response to this expanded formulation, a comprehensive approach was designed, including three different areas of intervention within the surrounding ecosystems. building the therapist's capacity to effectively target a variety of non-mental health-related indicators.

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CFT recognizes that such a comprehensive agenda can not be tackled by disengaged therapists who insist on working only within a small territory of a family unit and preserving their traditional office-bounded routines

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CFT designed practical methods that bring clinical and social matters together into the practice of therapy, CFT does not claim sole ownership for the success that has demonstrated to achieve but is proud to share the leadership and the credit. More than a specific set of techniques,

 

CFT is a blueprint for change that effectively combines family therapy methods with wrap-around services, leadership development and civic engagement, aiming to produce enhancement and transformation of both internal and external systems under the leadership of the clients themselves.  

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The Community Family Therapy (CFT) model offers a potentially useful platform for action (Rojano, 2004).  This strategy combines mental health techniques with case management and fosters the development of clients’ leadership and advocacy skills.  CFT was developed out of a conviction that therapists’ attachment to traditional treatment methods is a fundamental obstacle for working effectively with low-income and disenfranchised families. 

 

This theory postulates that conventional ideas about job descriptions, clinical protocols, and therapeutic boundaries function as the walls of a constricting box that limits the effective treatment of low-income families.  CFT was developed in response to the need to address five primary factors historically not considered a part of therapists’ responsibilities: (1) Moving family income above the poverty line; (2) increasing availability and access to community resources; (3) formulating a plan for personal and professional growth; (4) fostering personal responsibility 
and self-sufficiency; and, (5) developing leadership skills and capacity for civic engagement (Rojano, 2004).

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In summary, the intervention sequence comprehends the following steps: (1) conducting a comprehensive assessment, (2) partnering with clients, enlisting them as co-producers of the intervention process; (3) co-developing a comprehensive action plan; (4) developing and consolidating a supportive and nurturing network; (5) consulting and assisting clients in the implementation of plans; (6) managing emerging problems and crises; and (7) celebrating victories.  The CFT approach has been successfully replicated in Cali, Colombia (Terranova-Zapata et el., 2014).