A professional interventionist is a person that has been trained to facilitate a multi-purpose intervention. In some cases, they also help by being the designated planner and organizer of the entire process.
The purpose of having a professional interventionist organize an intervention instead of someone who may know about addiction but isn’t trained to handle an addiction situation properly is due to interventions requiring a great deal of training and experience.
In addition, if done improperly, any one or all parties involved in the intervention could be hurt emotionally or physically due to the significant level of stress that can be present during such sessions.
An interventionist is imperative to a successful professional intervention. In order to make an effective call for treatment, it’s important to have someone who is knowledgeable about the process and requirements of this type of environment. They can also help implement boundaries, make sure you follow up on your end, and much more.
How To Find A Professional Interventionist
- Ask a Friend or Co-Worker in Recovery
The best way to find a good interventionist is to ask around. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues and see if anyone knows of a good interventionist in your area. You may also want to check out online forums or social media groups devoted to addiction and recovery. There’s a good chance that someone out there will know of someone who can help you stage your intervention.
- Search Rehab Directories
Rehabilitation directories are a great place to start looking for an interventionist. These directories contain listings of specialized clinicians found in most major cities in the United States, so you have access to the largest pool of interventionists in one place. You can also find professionals according to specialty or by location.
When conducting this search, you must work with someone explicitly experienced in the treatment environment because not all therapists are equipped to handle this type of process, which can vary from person to person based on always-changing factors such as substance abuse history and mental health challenges, etc.
In addition, many directories offer online profiles that allow people to submit ratings and reviews about previous experiences with each interventionist, which can provide extra information for your decision.
- Look for Certifications
A good interventionist will have experience staging interventions and be certified in addiction counseling or mental health therapy. This means that they know how to handle the situation medically and psychologically, meaning that your loved one will get the best care possible during their time with the interventionist until they’ve gotten proper treatment.
For instance, the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) is a nationwide organization dedicated to providing “quality coverage of alcoholism/addiction counseling.”
Many professionals are required by their profession’s governing body to have special training in this area, so it’s likely they have gone through some kind of course(s) or certification(s). They may be able to refer you to someone they know personally.
- Meet Over the Phone before Deciding on Whether to Move Forward with an Appointment
Before setting up an in-person meeting, it might be worth it to talk on the phone first. That way, you can get an idea of how well you’ll work together and whether this professional is really right for your loved one’s situation. Also, check out their website; look at how much information is available about their approach and what kind of interventions they specialize in.
- Ask for Referrals
Referrals are an invaluable way to find any professional service provider you would like to work with. If you have no prior knowledge of interventionists but want one, ask your primary care doctor or psychiatrist if they can recommend anyone they’ve worked with before who has experience with this type of scenario. Your insurance company may also be able to provide suggestions after doing a quick search.
It’s important that you reach out to people close to you that know what the situation is about and trust their judgment in order for them to suggest someone that may benefit your cause. Additionally, some people struggling with addiction themselves may offer up names of interventionists they’ve seen before (or worked with themselves). But, again, it’s important to remember that choosing an interventionist is a personal decision, and not everyone will have the same opinion.
In Conclusion
No matter how you go about finding an interventionist, it is important to remember that this person will be working with your loved ones in order to help get them the treatment they need. So do some research, ask around, and interview a few potential candidates before making your final decision.
You want to make sure that this person is right for your situation and has the necessary skill set to handle what will most likely be a difficult and emotional experience for all involved.