Change doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes it starts with a family willing to try something new, a youth discovering their own potential, or a caregiver learning a new way to connect.
For Shaphaun Black, MST Therapist at Alexander Youth Network, these moments are what make the work meaningful.
Every day, Shaphaun partners with families navigating challenges that impact their homes, schools, and relationships. Through Multisystemic Therapy (MST), she helps families identify their strengths, build new skills, and create changes that continue long after treatment ends.
The most powerful moments are often the ones families never thought were possible.
A Youth Discovering What Was Possible
One of the moments Shaphaun will never forget began with a youth who was struggling with significant defiant behaviors at home and at school. These challenges were affecting his relationships, academic progress, and future goals.
Through treatment, the youth began making meaningful progress. His behavior improved, his academic performance increased, and he was able to catch up on his coursework and graduate without receiving any additional suspensions.
His goal was to attend college. Because of the progress he demonstrated, his school nominated him for a scholarship, resulting in him receiving a full scholarship to Wingate University.
The support continued beyond graduation. Shaphaun and the team helped connect him with disability support services at the college so he could receive academic accommodations, including note-taking assistance and study support, giving him the tools to continue succeeding.
“Seeing his confidence grow and watching him achieve goals that once seemed out of reach is a reminder of why I love doing this work.”
When a Family Learns to Grow Together
For Shaphaun, success in MST is not only about helping a youth make changes. It is about helping families become stronger together.
One family that has stayed with her involved a grandmother and step-grandfather raising their grandson. When treatment began, communication was difficult, and conflict had created challenges within their relationships.
Through MST, the family learned healthier ways to communicate, rebuild trust, and better support one another. The caregivers were able to improve their alignment, and the step-grandfather gained more confidence in his role supporting the grandmother with caregiving and addressing behaviors.
The youth also strengthened his relationship with his biological mother, improved his behavior at school, and developed positive friendships.
By the end of treatment, the family was spending quality time together, attending community events, and the grandmother was actively involved in his school.
“Watching an entire family transformed into a better unit—showed me how powerful family-based treatment can be.”
Meeting Families Where Life Happens
One of the things Shaphaun values most about MST is that support happens where families live their everyday lives.
“What I appreciate most about community-based services is that we meet families where life is actually happening.”
Rather than only discussing challenges in the office, MST enables therapists to understand a family’s routines, strengths, and barriers firsthand. Families can practice new skills in real-life situations and make adjustments that are practical and sustainable.
Shaphaun also works alongside schools, community agencies, probation officers, and other important supports to create a coordinated plan for success.
“This hands-on approach helps families build practical skills they can continue using long after treatment has ended.”
Asking for Help Is a Strength
For many parents, reaching out for support can feel difficult. Some may worry that asking for help means they have failed.
Shaphaun wants families to know that seeking support is a sign of strength.
“I would tell any parent that asking for help is one of the strongest things they can do for their family.”
Parenting does not come with a manual, and every family experiences challenges at different points in life.
“Reaching out for support shows that you care about your youth and are willing to do whatever it takes to help your family succeed.”
For Shaphaun, her role is not to judge families. It is to partner with them.
“My role isn’t to judge families—it’s to partner with them, build on their strengths, and help them develop the tools and confidence they need to create lasting positive change.”
Every family has strengths. Sometimes they need support to recognize them.
Through MST, families are reminded that change is possible, relationships can be rebuilt, and they do not have to navigate challenges alone.
Written by Shay Woodard
