Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) is an outpatient approach to therapy which includes both the adolescent and the family. MDFT has shown effective results with children/adolescents ages 11 to 18 who have substance abuse problems. In addition to the substance use/abuse, mental health and behavioral problems are also addressed. The goal of MDFT is to significantly reduce or eliminate an adolescent's substance abuse and other problem behaviors. Our program seeks to improve overall family functioning by targeting several problem areas at once. The therapist works with the adolescent individually, guides the family interactions and collaborates with other systems involved with the service participant such as school, juvenile probation, children and youth services, and other county agencies.