Strengthening Families Together
(l.-r.): Adriana von Simpson, Sandra McBeth, Karina Villamil, Liana Luna, Ronde Barnes, Bex Bagnato, Mary Concepcion.
When a child or teen is struggling, whether through running away, substance misuse, or skipping school, it often affects the entire family. Rooted in its mission to strengthen families, Children’s Aid and Family Services launched Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) in September 2025 to address these challenges with funding from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
BSFT is a short-term, evidence-based family therapy model that typically lasts 12 to 15 weeks. What makes it unique is its focus on the entire family rather than treating the youth alone. “You can’t just take a child and teach them how to change behaviors and then place them back into a family system where nothing else has changed,” says Sandra McBeth, BSFT Director. “Lasting change happens when families learn to respond to each other differently.”
The BSFT team received specialized training from national leaders in this therapeutic model, ensuring that families receive high-quality care.
Therapists work with parents, caregivers, and children together, helping families understand their patterns of interaction and guiding them toward healthier ways of communicating and problem-solving. Instead of focusing solely on a child’s behavior, the therapy helps family members adjust their responses, often leading to meaningful and lasting improvements at home.
The program currently serves families referred by New Jersey’s Department of Child Protection and Permanency across Hudson, Bergen, and Essex Counties. Therapists meet with families weekly in their homes. Sessions may involve the whole family or individual members, depending on the need.
BSFT’s goal is long-term stability and stronger family bonds. In addition to therapy, families are connected to other community services and resources that support their ongoing needs.
Early results are encouraging. Families report decreased conflict, improved communication, and stronger emotional connections. Therapists are also seeing reductions in problematic behaviors among youth as family dynamics improve.
“Children’s Aid and Family Services is drawing on its deep history of strengthening families,” says Shavonda E. Sumter, President and CEO. “We are delighted to be helping even more families in need of short-term focused care.”
IMPACT NEWSLETTER – March 2026
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