An intervention is a facilitated and structured conversation characterized by love and courage. It need not be a power encounter or an exercise in humiliation. Your loved-one is not forced into treatment against his/her will. Instead, we lead the conversation with love, extending an invitation to get the help they need.
Many years ago, I was the subject of an intervention. Because of this I have great empathy and unique insight with the clients I work with. My goal is to make the intervention as positive, loving, respectful and honoring as possible. At the same time, I am committed to it being effective and as powerful/confrontational as it needs to be. Striking the right balance is an important component to an effective strategy.
During an initial free phone consultation, potential clients learn about my intervention philosophy and process and take the necessary time to decide whether I am a good fit to lead their family/team through an intervention. Once a client decides to formally contract with me for intervention services, we have two phone appointments (Steps 1 & 2) and two in-person meetings (Steps 3 & 4), described below.
To start the intervention process, we schedule two separate phone appointments. The first phone call addresses several ‘Preliminary Tasks’; the second phone call involves what I call ‘The Assessment’. The next steps include two separate in-person gatherings. The first is called ‘The Training & Preparation’ and the second is the actual ‘Intervention’. Read about Steps 1-4 below.
The first phone appointment (about 1 hour) focuses on the following consequential decisions:
a. Identify Intervention Team: The composition of the team is an important component of the intervention strategy. We discuss the various relational circles of your loved-one’s life to consider family, friends and associates as potential candidates. We consider who should be included; who shouldn’t, and the ideal size of the team.
b. Determine Level of Care/Treatment Options: We discuss the appropriate level of care that is needed (e.g. outpatient verses residential treatment). I work with scores of high quality treatment centers locally and nationally, each with its own unique strengths, emphases and distinctives. Of the numerous treatment options available, I work with the team to develop a short list of treatment centers that represent the best fit for their loved one. As an independent contractor, I do not work for any treatment center and do not accept kickbacks or quid pro quo payments, so I can remain objective in my recommendations. In determining the “best fit”, there are many variables to consider. Go to the Treatment tab to learn more.
c. Establish an Initial Timeline: Events leading up to an intervention often represents a crisis. Sometimes, families respond to the anxiety of the situation by moving too quickly OR losing the urgency and opportunity of the moment. My rule of thumb: Take enough time to do the intervention right (act as if this is your one and only chance), but move as quickly as possible. Sometimes interventions can come together in a matter of a few days, but in general, the process usually takes 1-2 weeks. If it gets stretched out too long, it can put a lot of stress and strain on the family. There are four variables to putting together the timetable of an intervention: the availability of the treatment center; the schedules of the team members; the loved one’s schedule; and the interventionist’s schedule.
d. Identify Locations for Training and Intervention: Practical matters of where to conduct the training and intervention are discussed; usually these are different locations.
The second phone appointment is the assessment (about 1 hour) where I gather background information, obtain a history of what has taken place and answer the appropriate questions prior to the intervention. It familiarizes me with the important relationships and events; it also helps me form the strategy for the intervention (each intervention is unique depending on the addict, the family system and the circumstances). If helpful to the treatment center, I prepare a formal report that assists them in their admission process.
Step 3 is the first in-person gathering. This gathering is for the intervention team and focuses on critical preparation for the Intervention. It usually takes place the day before the actual intervention. Conducting an intervention is challenging and I employ a multi-layered strategy. This requires that the intervention team gathers together the day before the intervention to prepare. Some of the preparation is emotional and attitudinal. There is an education piece where we consider several components of chemical dependency to lay a foundation for the intervention strategy. We prepare and review our ‘communication’ to your loved-one. We anticipate the responses we will receive. Finally, we address any practical or logistical issues. The amount of time that teams need to get ready varies, but it usually requires a minimum of 3-4 hours for the training, sometimes longer. The outcome of the intervention often hinges on the quality of the training.
The final in-person meeting is The Intervention. The Intervention is the facilitated conversation with the family/team and their loved-one. I help the family/team with the task of getting their loved-one to the intervention site. I introduce the purpose of the meeting to the loved-one and get the intervention started. Once the intervention has begun, I facilitate the process to keep it on track. I assist the team in responding to their loved-one and provide expertise for some of the more technical questions that may arise.
My base Intervention services package comes to a total of $1,850.00 plus expenses. The Intervention service fees correlate with the different aspects of The Intervention Process as described in Steps 1-4 above. Once a family makes a verbal commitment to contract my intervention services, a $300 non-refundable deposit is made. The remainder is due at the time of The Training & Preparation.
Additional Services & Fees (if needed):
• Expenses vary depending on the geographic location, hotel costs, if airfare is required, etc.
• Transport to Treatment Center: approximately $325 – $400 (costs varies depending on the location and time involved).
• Extra Travel Time: approximately $250 per 1/2 day (out-of-state air travel often involves additional travel time and expenses).
• Pre & Post-Intervention Consultation Services: $95 per hour. See the Consultations tab on my website to learn more.
