Should I Hire an Interventionist to Help my Loved One?
If you have a loved one struggling with addiction, you may be considering hiring an interventionist to help get them into treatment. Here are some answers to common questions about professional interventionists.
What is an Interventionist?
An interventionist is a person who is trained to facilitate interventions, which are structured meetings that are designed to help a person with a problem, such as addiction or other harmful behaviors, to recognize the negative impact of their actions and to make changes to improve their health and well-being.
Interventionists work with a team of people who are concerned about the individual and want to help them, including family members, friends, and sometimes healthcare professionals. The goal of an intervention is to provide support and encouragement for the person to seek help and to make positive changes in their life.
An interventionist should have the necessary education and training to be able to effectively facilitate interventions. Here are a few credentials that an interventionist may have:
- Professional certification: Some organizations offer professional certification for interventionists. For example, the Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS) offers a Certified Intervention Professional (CIP) designation for individuals who have completed a specific set of educational requirements and have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in the field.
- Educational degree: Many interventionists hold a degree in a related field, such as social work, psychology, or counseling. This type of education can provide a strong foundation in the principles of mental health and addiction treatment, as well as the skills needed to work with individuals and families in crisis.
- Professional experience: Some interventionists have professional experience in related fields, such as addiction treatment, mental health counseling, or social work. This experience can provide valuable insights and skills that can be applied in the context of an intervention.
It’s important to note that while certain credentials and qualifications can be helpful in identifying a competent interventionist, it’s also important to choose an individual who you feel comfortable working with and who you believe will be able to effectively support your loved one in their journey towards recovery.
How Does an Interventionist Work with Families of Those Struggling with Addiction?
If you are concerned about a loved one who is struggling with a problem such as addiction or other harmful behaviors, an interventionist can help you to plan and facilitate an intervention that is designed to encourage them to seek treatment. Here are some steps that an interventionist might take to help you get your loved one into treatment:
- Assess the situation: An interventionist will work with you to understand the nature of the problem and to assess the individual’s readiness to change.
- Plan the intervention: The interventionist will help you to develop a plan for the intervention, including identifying the people who will participate, selecting a location, and preparing materials.
- Facilitate the intervention: The interventionist will lead the intervention, helping to create a supportive and non-confrontational atmosphere and guiding the conversation to focus on the consequences of the person’s behaviors and the benefits of seeking treatment.
- Offer resources and support: The interventionist can provide information about treatment options and resources to help your loved one get the help they need. They can also offer support and guidance as your loved one begins their recovery journey.
It’s important to note that interventions can be emotionally challenging, and it’s natural to feel anxious or worried about how your loved one will react. An interventionist can help you to prepare for these challenges and to stay focused on your goal of helping your loved one get the treatment they need.
How do I Know if I Need an Interventionist for my Family Member?
It can be difficult to know if you need an interventionist to help your family member. Here are a few signs that an intervention may be necessary:
- Your loved one is in denial about their problem: If your loved one is unable or unwilling to recognize the negative impact of their behaviors, an intervention may be necessary to help them see the consequences of their actions and to motivate them to seek help.
- Your loved one is resistant to change: If your loved one has refused to seek treatment or to make changes in their life despite your efforts to help, an intervention may be necessary to provide a structured, supportive environment in which they can be encouraged to make positive changes.
- Your loved one is in crisis: If your loved one is in a dangerous or life-threatening situation, such as experiencing a severe addiction or mental health problem, an intervention may be necessary to help them get the immediate help they need.
- You are having difficulty communicating with your loved one: If you are finding it difficult to have productive conversations with your loved one about their problem and the need for treatment, an interventionist can help to facilitate a more productive conversation.
If you are unsure whether an intervention is necessary, you may want to consider speaking with a mental health professional or an interventionist to get more guidance. They can help you to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. While some people require professional intervention, others do not. Family support groups like our free CRAFT Group can help equip loved ones with the tools needed to encourage the person to seek help.
Our admissions team specializes in assessing the need for professional intervention, and works closely with high quality interventionists to help get your loved ones the support they need. For a free consultation about intervention and or treatment for addiction, contact us.
