As a an intervention counselor I have always realized how incredible it is to be able to change enabling behaviors of a family, change the way they have been handling their loved one, and then create willingness from the substance abuser and take them to treatment with no physical force. One of the biggest challenges an interventionist faces is doctors, psychiatrist, therapists, social workers, and families all thinking that they can become a professional interventionist overnight. Time and time again instead of seeking the assistance of intervention counselors, families try using their doctor or psychiatrist with no formal training whatsoever. Not only do professionals on this level have no formal training as an interventionist, they almost never have any formal training on the addiction model. Most people are under the impression that an intervention counselor should be a therapist or psychologist with knowledge of their client. This is a dangerous game to play because although these professionals are extremely knowledgeable in their field of expertise, they really do not have much knowledge or experience with addiction or intervention counseling. It is a sad reality that most clients who decide to use a local medical professional, therapist, psychologist, etc as an intervention specialist call us back to have us come in and repair the damage caused. Time and time again I try to explain to people it is not about some person whether a professional or not to give an inspirational speech to a substance abuser to wow them into rehab. It is about the interventionist guiding the family to change the unhealthy family system created by the addict.
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 it or they have to hit bottom. 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 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 because that is really the translation of what they are saying. 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. A 59 year old alcoholic may not be a good match for my 30 year old intervention counselor who specializes in opiates and crystal meth. 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. Doug McGarry – Intervention Consultant
5. Mike Loverde – President & Founder Family First Intervention, Inc