An intervention is a carefully planned process initiated by the loved ones of an individual in need of mental health or substance use treatment and guided by a licensed professional experienced in the field. At times it is also initiated by others as co-workers, clergy members or others who care about the person struggling with addiction.
A professional interventionist is an expert on mental health and substance use disorders. Dr. Baez level of training, current board certifications, and experience in the field qualify her as an Interventionist.
The goal of the Intervention is that the individual suffering from a mental health disorder and/or addiction seeks treatment. The individual is usually confronted with his condition, consequences of his/her condition on him/herself or others as well as what we will be done if the loved one refuses to consider treatment.
The primary components of an Intervention are:
- Pre-Intervention Meeting
The individual(s) concerned about their love one schedules a consultation with an Interventionist. During this session, relevant information related to the individual suffering from addiction is gathered and an action plan is discussed.
- Plan of action
A plan of action for an effective Intervention is usually established after a consultation with a .professional takes place. The individual(s) or team requesting the Intervention gather information requested by the Interventionist including specific incidents with emotional and financial consequences that are directly related with the Addiction, treatment program options and what each member of the team will do if their loved one accepts or do not accept treatment recommendations. The team members also share how they have been impacted emotionally by the Client’s behaviors or actions.
- Intervention Meeting
The loved is asked to attend a session with the Intervention Team without his/her awareness of who else will be present or the specifics of what will be discussed. The members will take turns expressing their feelings and concerns as well as the intended plan if the addicted person does not accept the recommended plan by the Interventionist. The treatment option is presented and the addicted person is asked to accept the recommendation.
- Post Intervention Meeting
If the individual in need accepted treatment the team meets with Dr. Baez to discuss how to be instrumental in helping the individual remaining in treatment, resources that may be beneficial to some of the members of the team as individual counseling, recovery support groups, and others as to how to respond to relapses if they occur. If the affected person refused treatment recommendations the Interventionist will discuss with the team options including Ex-parte and other recommendations for the team members including family, individual counseling, Al-anon groups, etc.
A successful intervention must be planned carefully to work as intended. At times your loved one may feel attacked and become isolated or more resistant to treatment. At times they may be receptive to treatment sometime after the Intervention took place. Interventions at times are emotionally charged can be a source of potential anger, resentment or a sense of betrayal by any of the team members.
Contact Us if you desire to schedule an appointment. Once you schedule your session additional resources will be provided to you to prepare effectively for your first session.