How to Find an Interventionist Near You

This person can and should help you get a loved one into alcohol or drug rehab.

First, we’d like to acknowledge the difficulty in making this decision. The upfront costs might seem high. However, the Association of Intervention Specialists states that the numbers suggest up to 90% of professionally guided interventions succeed at getting the person into treatment. So, not only are you increasing the chances your loved one will attend rehab…you can also have hope that they’ll get their life back on track. How much is that worth to you?
In fact, an intervention might be the most important thing you do for your family! However, please be advised:

Not everyone is a good interventionist.

No matter who they are – whether Ph.D., MD, social worker, a marriage and family therapist, or have only a ‘hard knocks’ degree – training is necessary. Taking a weekend course or joining a supervision group does not make a person effective as an interventionist. Further still, even if the person is in addiction recovery…that does not mean that s/he is a clinician or knows about addiction treatment, nor does it mean that they know how to conduct an intervention.

Interventions require training, ongoing supervision, and experience!

Experience is Necessary

In fact, credentials are not a prerequisite. Experience matters. Regardless of the interventionist’s academic background, you need to figure out:

•  What they know.
•  What skills they have.
•  Who’s trained them.
•  What mentoring they’ve had.

You can be sure to vet the person correctly by downloading and printing this Checklist for Hiring an Addiction Interventionist.

For even more advice, you can check out The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions, a book that synthesizes the 30+ years of clinical work of Dr. Louise Stanger that has been edited by Addiction Blog Editor, Lee Weber.

How to Find an Interventionist

There are a few ways you can identify the best person for your family.

1. Search professional associations.

It is important to find someone with experience, the appropriate licenses/certifications for your needs, and a strong code of ethics. Two professional organizations exist that collect this information: The Network of Independent Interventionists (NII) and the Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS). These organizations list members’ credentials, licenses, and certifications. You can search member listings here:

•  The NII website, the Network of Independent Interventionists.
•  The AIS website, the Association of Intervention Specialists.

2. Seek a reference from a mental health professional.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) exists as the nation’s premier advocacy group for addiction treatment. This NGO recommends that you seek help from the following professionals for intervention services:

•  An alcohol and addictions counselor
•  An addiction treatment center
•  Psychiatrist
•  Psychologist
•  Social Worker

Some of these professionals may have experience in interventions themselves. Other times, a mental health professional can refer you to a colleague or someone with a good reputation in the field. The organization also suggests that you reach out to NCADD Affiliates to be connected to referrals.

3. Call us for help.

The telephone number listed on this page will connect you to a helpline answered by American Addiction Centers (AAC). The helpline is offered at no cost and with no obligation to enter treatment. Caring admissions consultants are standing by to discuss your treatment options, which can include family intervention specialists. So, if you are ready to get help for you or a family member, reach out and pick up the phone.

My Area or Out of State?

Contrary to popular belief, a good interventionist is NOT LIMITED TO REGION. The right person is ready and able to travel…and has experience working with families of all types. In fact, their fees may not be incredibly different from someone who is local. Further, an out-of-state interventionist may have a broader outlook than someone who is near you. Here are some of the PROs and CONs of each.

A local interventionist may:

•  Be able to travel quickly to you or meet frequently.
•  Be connected to local behavioral and mental health care providers.
•  Be connected to local city/state agencies, including social services.
•  Be limited in their referrals for treatment.
•  Refer to local rehabs or treatment centers.

An out-of-state interventionist may:

•  Be available 24-7 on the phone or via email.
•  Be connected to national behavioral and mental health care providers.
•  Bill for travel expenses.
•  Bring a fresh perspective to the situation.
•  Have a broader network of referral sources.

Local Search Tips

•  Local detox clinics
•  Local hospitals
•  Local mental health centers
•  Addiction recovery community centers
•  Your spiritual or religious affiliation leadership
•  Your State’s Department of Health and Social Services

While you may be concerned about anonymity, also know that Americans are increasingly destigmatizing addiction, especially through advocacy groups like Facing Addiction. In fact, an estimated one in three American families experiences addiction through one close family member. So, your friends and family can also be a source of help.

National Search Tips

Otherwise, we recommend that you look for an interventionist using the following websites:

•  National Institute on Drug Abuse Patient & Families Resources
•  National Institute on Drug Abuse Addiction Resources
•  Facing Addiction Addiction Resources
•  Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Resources

 Clinical Qualities to Look For

1. Boundaries.

A good interventionist will establish clinical boundaries between themselves and clients. These boundaries address the length of a counseling relationship, self-disclosure by a counselor, giving of gifts, and the limits of touch or personal communication between counselor and client. A boundary will also define or limit personal benefit of money or services that the interventionist receives. The emotional or dependency needs of a counselor should also be in check.

NOTE HERE: Hiring an interventionist is like working with a contractor. So, it is helpful to vet the person you want to work with via a Google search or by talking with colleagues about her/his reputation. Also, ask for a very clear contract and terms of service at the beginning of your contractual relationship.

2. Competence.

A good interventionist will be able to reference achievements of professional competence. S/He should also exhibit cultural competence when working with specific groups…but not overstep abilities.

NOTE HERE: You can ask for all professional qualifications before you sign a contract with an interventionist. You might ask for a resume, a CV, or for 2-3 professional references.

3. Confidentiality.

Keeping private information private is the hallmark of a therapeutic relationship. HIPPA Forms attempt to clarify the confidential nature of the work of addiction interventionist. However, strict confidentiality should be from the first phone call. The principle of confidentiality should govern record keeping, accounting, informal and formal conversations, treatment decisions, and the person’s progress notes. The right person will also be familiar with state laws about confidentiality and have necessary consent forms, signed, and on file. Mandated reporting, the “Duty to Warn” laws, and exceptions to confidentiality law (drug court, federally assisted treatment programs, confidentiality and minors, age of consent) vary by state.

NOTE HERE: Ask potential interventionists to provide you with a statement describing the extent to which confidentiality of records will be maintained, including an explanation on limits of confidentiality, plus who to contact in emergency in my official documentation.

4. Avoid brokers or unethical referral services.

Treatment centers have been known to pay bounties to for referrals. This leads to a practice called “patient brokering.” In return for referring a patient to a drug treatment facility, the broker receives a generous compensation of $500 to $5000. Brokers will offer to share this money with patients or entice them with drugs to leave an existing facility and qualify for another because they have relapsed, leading to a revolving door syndrome.

Additionally, federal laws such as the Anti-Kick Back Statute make is a criminal offense for anyone to give a kickback with the intent of influencing referral of patients. Some examples include trips, hotels, or gifts. Further, the Stark Law tries to prevent physician’s self-referral, or when a physician refers a patient to a facility s/he owns or family has financial interest.

NOTE HERE: Ask an interventionist directly about monetary relationships s/he has with treatment centers. If the person works for the treatment center, this is not necessarily a bad thing. However,know whether you’ll be contracting with the center or the individual directly.

5. Informed consent.

You need to officially grant an interventionist permission to carry out an intervention, in full knowledge of the possible consequences, risks, and benefits. An informed content should include a description of any reasonable foreseeable risks or discomforts (consequences of early withdrawal), a description of any benefits to the subject or others, as well as disclosure of any alternative treatments, including medications.

NOTE HERE: Ask to sign consent forms at the beginning of your relationship with an interventionist to manage your expectations and set the guidelines for the clinical help you’ll receive.

Your Questions

We also understand that you may still have questions. Please leave your questions in the comments section below. We try to respond to all questions with a personal and prompt reply.