SYSTEMIC FAMILY INTERVENTION MODEL

At Life Steps Consulting, we know that life is full of different transitions, which can be broken down into a series of steps. When you are struggling with substance abuse, movement through the transitional steps halts, causing you to fall into unhealthy life cycles, which impact your career goals, relationships, and physical and mental health. We can help you get back on track.

SYSTEMIC FAMILY INTERVENTION MODEL

Do you have a family member whose life is controlled by their addiction, who needs to

get into a recovery program? Addiction is the only disease where denial is a primary

symptom. This is where I can help. I will lead a structured intervention on your friend or loved one that will help them understand your love for them, and that recovery is their last and best option. I will take care of all the treatment placement arrangements and will meet with the intervention group (immediate family and close friends) in advance to explain the process and answer any questions. Talking to a loved one about their addiction can be extremely difficult. I can do this for you at a fraction of the cost that most Interventionists charge, which is anywhere from $5000 to $10,000 – not including the cost of treatment!

A whole new perspective (Systemic Intervention)

A systemic intervention is considered successful when the entire family has an opportunity to invite the healing process into their lives. It is a more effective and compassionate alternative to the more familiar “ambush” models.

Inclusive meetings take place to educate, process, and teach family members how to effectively communicate needs and create realistic goals.

The Counselor’s goal will be to identify what the family’s needs are and proceed accordingly.

THE FOCUS IS ON THE FAMILY, NOT THE RECIPIENT.

All members of the family are regarded as patients and are encouraged to process how addictive patterns and shame-based interactions have affected them over time.

This is designed to avoid provoking defensive or aggressive responses that lead to all too familiar negative results.

HOW IT WORKS

1ST SESSION

1ST SESSION IS WITH THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY TO GET A HISTORY OF THE FAMILY SYSTEM AND TO IDENTIFY FAMILY ROLES AND HOW THEY ARE AFFECTED BY THE ADDICTION.

2ND SESSION

FAMILY ROLES EDUCATION

I MEET WITH THE FAMILY TO EDUCATE THEM ON WHICH ROLE THAT THEY IDENTIFY WITH AND THE UNHEALTHY BEHAVIORS THAT COME ALONG WITH THAT ROLE. I THEN TEACH THE FAMILY HEALTHY COPING SKILLS TO ADDRESS THE UNHEALTHY BEHAVIORS OF THE ROLE.

3rd session

Planning the intervention

We discuss the different scenarios on how the invention can go and how we will handle the addicted family members reactions.

4th Session

The Invitation

We invite the addicted family member to the session and inform them of the family’s concerns with their alcohol or drug use. The family discusses how they have been affected by the alcohol or drug use and what their role has been in the addiction process. The family presents the addicted family member with the opportunity to be placed into treatment.

UNLESS IT IS A CRISIS SITUATION, THIS IS THE ONLY STYLE OF INTERVENTION WORK I DO.

I received training from Waine Raiter, MA, LCSW, LMFT, one of the original proponents of the Systemic Family Intervention Model in 2013.