I am a licensed clinical social worker with a Master's degree from the University of Denver. I am also a certified alcohol and drug counselor through the state of Colorado.
Areas of Expertise:
Addiction
Alcohol and Drug Evaluations, Treatment and Relapse Prevention
General Practice
People that would benefit from this program are:
The model of intervention I use, can be adapted for example to any of the following addictive processes:
The intervention is generally done in one day. The fee varies depending on travel and is payable on the day of the intervention. Insurance reimbursement is possible in some circumstances.
Initial Telephone Contact
From the initial telephone contact from the concerned individual, I determine the severity of the problem. If an intervention is appropriate, the family members, friends and/or business associates who want to be involved in the intervention arrange a time to meet and plan the actual intervention.
Assessment and Planning Sessions (4 hours)
We meet in my office and collect as much information as I can regarding the person for whom the intervention is being planned. I explain the intervention process and everyone's role in the process. I review the "guidelines" handout with them, which lists specific behaviors/incidents that have concerned them regarding this person's addictive behavior.
We as a group will individually write out our specific incidents and role-play these incidents. The role-playing is designed to disengage the emotion and conflict from the incident and focus on the concern of an observed behavior.
I stress that the intervention is to be from a loving, caring, non-judgmental point of view. They should maintain good eye contact with the person and make no apologies for being involved in the intervention.
The Intervention (approximately 2 hours)
The intervention usually takes place in a home of one of the concerned individuals. The person being intervened on arrives about 30 minutes after everyone else is there and in place, unaware of the intervention.
Each person has prepared a "caring" statement to share with this person to show their concern for them. In a previously determined order, they then share the incidents with that person and ask them to please get professional help now.
At this time, I become more actively involved by asking the person for their impressions of what they have heard at the intervention and how they feel about it. Then I begin educating the person on the addictive process and what to expect from different treatment options. Negotiations then take place to allow him/her to be part of the treatment decision making process.
During negotiations, the person may offer excuses for not going into treatment at this time and the group must be prepared to present helpful alternatives to counter these excuses.
In the event he/she refuse treatment, a "what if" statement is shared that explains the enabling behaviors that will not be continued by the group members and future behaviors by the individual that will not be accepted.
Negotiations may continue at this point. I offer, to the group, what treatment and support options are available to them, including my 6-week co-dependency educational program.
Transition to Treatment
If the person has agreed to treatment, they choose someone from the group to accompany them directly to the treatment facility, where arrangements have already been made for their admittance. If in the local area, I will follow this group to the facility to insure that the intake process is smoothly completed. I encourage the group members and the person being intervened on to contact me if they have further questions during the treatment process.
I consider this intervention process to be a success for everyone involved because all group members and the individual being intervened on have had an opportunity to share their concerns as they now have ways to address their own personal recovery.
Copyright © 1998 Mary Anne Parrish
Last Updated: December 12, 1998
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form whatsoever.