The most difficult part for an intervention counselor is not getting one addict or alcoholic to accept the help they need, it is getting several family members to agree to change enabling behaviors and set boundaries so the addict or alcoholic is able to accept help. A professional interventionist helps the family understand that the addiction can not change without the family changing too. Most families are under the impression intervention counselors are just there to talk their loved one into treatment and that it will never work because the family has tried talking to them a thousand times. When the family and the interventionist meet the first day for the intervention meeting without the addict or alcoholic, the family is not just educated on the addiction model but also understands how the addict or alcoholic as formulated the families behaviors over time to make the addiction comfortable for the addict or alcoholic at the expense of the family and others. Intervention counseling goes so far beyond just talking with an addict or alcoholic because it changes families behaviors and sets the appropriate boundaries so the addict or alcoholic becomes accountable. For the intervention specialist to get someone to change they must change the situation first. Most families are told time and time again that their loved one has to want help or hit bottom in order to get well. In addition to that, the perception of many is that the intervention counselors only role is to give an inspirational speech to a substance abuser to wow them into rehab. In order for the addict or alcoholic to get well the family must get educated and well also, that is the job of an intervention counselor. We know we can’t change the addict or alcoholic because you have tried that over and over again. We have to change the situation that the family has control over so wanting help becomes an option and hitting bottom becomes a reality.
Intervention Counselor Information
I have always said that you can learn a tremendous amount of information about the D-Day invasion during WWII from a professor of history at Yale University, however I would rather listen to an actual soldier who stormed the beach. My point is not only are the intervention counselors at Family First Intervention professionals, they have also been in the trenches. I do not believe it is possible to be as effective of an intervention specialist if you have not walked in the addict or the alcoholic’s shoes. I admire drug and alcohol counselors who are in this profession not having an addiction background, however those are the same counselors telling you that your loved one has to want help or hit bottom in order for things to get better. Although there is a small truth to that concept, addiction is life and death for the substance abuser and the family. It is absolutely unethical, unprofessional and selfish to tell a family that they have to sit back and wait for their loved one to die or end up in jail before they can get help. I wonder if those same misinformed counselors would sit back and wait for their son or daughter to die. Our intervention counselors are told time and time again that after speaking to dozens of other doctors, psychiatrist, therapist, etc. we were the first ones to give them hope. We were the first interventionists who did not tell them to sit back because it was hopeless. Family First Intervention counselors change lives everyday, and we never tell a family that their loved one has to want it or hit bottom, because that is absolutely wrong to tell a family.
Our Family First Intervention Counselors
Unlike most intervention companies, Family First Intervention has a full staff including several professional interventionists. We believe that not every client will be a perfect match for just one counselor. We do our best to pair your loved one and your family up with the intervention counselor who best meets the criteria for your situation. Below are some of our staff members and intervention counselors that make up Family First Intervention:
1. Greg Ward - Intervention Counselor
2. Sheena Griffith – Intervention Counselor
3. Pete Brown - Intervention Counselor
4. Steve Gualandi - Intervention Counselor
5. Carmen Notoriano – Intervention Counselor
6. Doug McGarry – Intervention Coordinator
7. Judy Bultema – Office Manager & Intervention Scheduler
8. Mike Loverde – President & Founder Family First Intervention, Inc