Study of Intensive, Home-Based Family Therapy to Improve Illness Management in Youth With Diabetes

Multisystemic Therapy (MST): Adolescents receiving MST will receive home-based, family psychotherapy sessions 2-3 times a week, lasting 60 minutes in duration from a pediatric mental health worker for six months. The purpose of the therapy sessions are to improve the youths' ability to complete their dilay diabetes illness management tasks, reduce average blood glucose levels and improve metabolic control.

Telephone Support Calls: Adolescents receiving TS will receive weekly 30 minute phone calls from a pediatric mental health worker for six months. The purpose of the call is to provide emotional support regarding the adolescent's chronic medical condition, assess adherence to the prescribed regimen and to help the adolescent brainstorm solutions to any barriers they identify to completion of diabetes care.