Behavioral Family Therapy (BFT) is an evidence-based, skills-oriented modality designed to support families in which a member lives with psychosis. Developed in the 1980s, the approach has gained international use and was introduced in the United States at Nebraska Medicine in 2024 and at Integrated Behavioral Health Services in 2025. BFT focuses on building practical skills related to information gathering, positive communication, problem-solving, stress reduction, and relapse prevention, with goals designed to address shared family concerns and support each individual’s wellbeing.
This service is available to family units with members ages 15 and older and is billed through the identified service user, defined as the individual who experiences psychosis. BFT is typically provided over 10 to 14 sessions and takes place in person on the IBHS main campus. The model is structured, concise, and intended to help families strengthen communication patterns and reinforce supportive home environments.
IBHS offers BFT as part of its broader commitment to accessible, research-supported care for individuals living with severe and persistent mental illnesses and their families. To further explore the approach, its history, and its evidence base, please visit the Meriden Family Programme webpage: What is Behavioural Family Therapy (BFT)? – Meriden Family Programme