title: Keeping families engaged: the effects of home-based family therapy enhanced with experiential activities.
abstract: Engagement of high-risk adolescents and their families in treatment is a considerable challenge for service providers and agencies. Despite its importance, little research has been conducted that explores this important treatment process. To address this gap, a test of an innovative method to improve engagement in family therapy was undertaken. Findings of this study of 42 intervention group families and 41 comparison group families (N=83) suggest that augmenting in-home family therapy with short and creative experiential activities can significantly increase engagement and retention in treatment. Further research of engagement as a mechanism of change in family-based treatment is needed.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas at Austin, School of Social Work, 1717 W. 6th Street Suite 295, Austin, TX 78703.
authors.forename: Sanna J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.forename: Liliane C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Windsor
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Flynn