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FFT Services

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is for children and adolescents between ages 9-18 who are Hennepin County residents.  FFT is an evidence based model of treatment with recognized outcomes in helping troubled youth and their families overcome delinquency, substance abuse, and violence.  All therapists are trained by FFT, Inc., the model’s training and dissemination organization.

The program provides flexible, culturally competent, short-term, in-home family therapy and treatment services that work to build positive family relational patterns and reduce disruptive behaviors.  Specific family problems vary from family to family but may include parental or adolescent mental illness, emotional or physical abuse, family conflict and/or violence, delinquency, truancy, and parenting problems.

Referral Information

Referrals are made directly through Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Case Managers or Hennepin County Juvenile Probation Officers.

For More Information

Email
Karin Nystrom, MSW, LICSW; Functional Family Therapy Program Supervisor
knystrom@canvashealth.org

Phone
(612) 516-6488

Meet The Team

KarinOlson

Karin Nystrom, LICSW

Functional Family Therapy Supervisor

We all struggle at some point in our lives either personally or in our relationships. This is part of the human experience. My goal is to support families, both parents and teens, as they navigate these struggles. What I love about the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model is that it is based in respect and non-judgement of all people, while still addressing real problems.

Clinic Locations

  • Community-Based

Specialty Areas

  • Functional Family Therapy
  • Ages Served: 6-18
  • Family Therapy, Adoptive Family Adjustments, Parenting Support, Trauma Informed Care, Adolescent Behavioral Concerns
  • ADHD/ADD (Children), Abuse, Anger, Anxiety, Autism, Behavioral problems, Bipolar Disorder, Transitions, Shame, Trauma, Self- Esteem, Self-Worth, Emotional Disorders, Depression, Parenting Issues, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders – FASD, Emotional Regulation, Emotional Disregulation, Mood Disorders, Mindfulness, Relationship Issues, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Attachment Disorders, Grief, Self Harm, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cultural Issues, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), LGBTQ+ Issues/Specialty

Professional Experience

I began working for Canvas Health as a Functional Family Therapist in 2010. I am fully trained in the Evidence Based Model of FFT by FFT, Inc. Prior to working for Canvas Health, I had 8 years of experience providing in-home family therapy and several years of experience working in residential treatment with children and adolescents with behavioral concerns.

Education

  • Bachelor of Social Work – Augustana College
  • Master of Social Work – University of Denver

License and Credentials

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

Referral Information

Please make referrals through Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Case Managers or Hennepin County Juvenile Probation Officers.

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Casey McGraw, MA, LAMFT

Functional Family Therapy Practitioner

I believe that each person has genius and that through life struggles we are often less able to see or tap into this genius. Therapy is a process to recover and uncover our genius and power, and it is an honor of mine to walk with families on this journey of rediscovery.

Clinic Locations

  • Community-Based

Specialty Areas

  • Functional Family Therapy
  • Ages Served: 6-18
  • ADHD/ADD (Children), Anger, Anxiety, Autism, Behavioral problems, Substance Use Disorders, Transitions, Shame, Trauma, Self esteem, Self-Worth, Emotional Disorders, Domestic Violence, Depression, Parenting Issues, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders – FASD, Emotional Regulation, Emotional Disregulation, Mood Disorders, Attachment Disorders, Grief, Self Harm, Co-Occurring Disorders, Panic Attacks, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), LGBTQ+ Issues/Specialty

Professional Experience

I have provided Functional Family Therapy to families in Hennepin Co for nearly nine years. I have been with Canvas Health since 2019. I am fully trained in the Functional Family Therapy model. Previously, I worked for Kente Circle as a Functional Family Therapist as well as providing SFT/CRS in-home therapy services in Dakota County.

Education

  • B.A. St. John's University
  • Master's Graduate Certificate - St. John's University School of Theology
  • M.A. Argosy University - Marriage and Family Therapy

License and Credentials

  • Master of Arts (MA)
  • Licensed Associate Marriage Family Therapist (LAMFT)

Referral Information

Please make referrals through Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Case Managers or Hennepin County Juvenile Probation Officers.

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Hans Olson, MA, LAMFT

Functional Family Therapy Practitioner

“There are many ways.” I am a relational therapist and feel that all behavior and communication serves a function to get needs met. Our job is to work together to find healthier ways to reach those goals. I strive to create space in which this can happen. I use the connections I form with each client and their family to collaboratively shape my intervention and our therapeutic path.

Clinic Locations

  • Community-Based

Specialty Areas

  • Functional Family Therapy
  • Ages Served: 9-18
  • Some of my specific interests include working with emotional regulation, gender, and the LGBTQ+ community
  • Abuse, Anger, Anxiety, Behavioral Problems, Transitions, Shame, Trauma, Self- Esteem, Self-Worth, Emotional Disorders, Domestic Violence, Depression, Developmental Concerns, Parenting Issues, Emotional Disregulation, Mindfulness, Relationship Issues, Attachment Disorders, Self Harm, Cultural Issues, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Professional Experience

I have been working as a mental health practitioner since 2014 including individual, couples, group, and family therapy. Prior to this, I worked for 11 years as a youth advocate and mentor primarily serving families affected by domestic violence.

Education

  • Undergraduate degree - Women's Studies
  • Master's degree - Marriage and Family Therapy

License and Credentials

  • Licensed Associate Marriage Family Therapist (LAMFT)
  • Master of Arts Degree in Marriage and Family (MA)

Referral Information

Please make referrals through Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Case Managers or Hennepin County Juvenile Probation Officers.

Dawn Surman

Dawn Surman

Functional Family Therapy Practitioner

Clinic Locations

  • Community-Based

Specialty Areas

  • Functional Family Therapy
  • Ages Served: 13-17
  • ADHD/ADD (Children), Anger, Anxiety, Behavioral Problems, Depression, Parenting Issues, Emotional Dysregulation, Relationship Issues

Referral Information

Please make referrals through Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Case Managers or Hennepin County Juvenile Probation Officers.

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You are welcome at Canvas Health. We're looking forward to serving you.

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