"At-risk youth, a term given to first-time offenders or those deemed likely to commit a crime in the near future, often present the greatest challenges to human service and mental health professionals. Almost by definition, this troublesome population is hard to reach on an individual basis, and yet the human service delivery system remains dependent on one-on-one counseling, intervention, and treatment strategies. The major tenet of this text is to specify the limitations of the individualistic model of human service delivery and to advance the notion that a relational and community lens for intervention is needed. This book presents a multiple family group approach that utilizes a wide range of shared experiences across families, drawing on the strength inherent in a variety of attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and affects that exist in any group. Case studies and clinical observations ground theoretical discussion in real world events and practice, making this book a resource for both professionals and students."--BOOK JACKET.