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.

Systemic Family Intervention Counselor in Sacramento

If you’re in Sacramento and searching for a trusted Systemic Family Intervention Counselor, I’m here to help your family navigate the challenges of addiction with care and understanding. At Life Steps Consulting, I specialize in providing support for families facing addiction, offering a Family Systemic Intervention Model that focuses on healing the entire family system, not just the individual.

As a local Systemic Family Intervention Counselor in Sacramento, I’m deeply familiar with the unique challenges and resources available in the area. I provide tailored intervention services that address both the person struggling with addiction and the family members who are affected. Whether you’re in Sacramento or one of its surrounding neighborhoods, I’m here to guide your family through the process with compassion and professionalism.

The Systemic Family Intervention Model I use encourages open communication and healing within the family unit, ensuring that everyone’s needs are addressed. By involving the whole family, we can break unhealthy cycles, improve relationships, and set a foundation for long-term recovery. Together, we’ll help your loved one take the crucial first step into recovery, while supporting your family as you heal and grow stronger together.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Systemic Family Intervention Model?

The Systemic Family Intervention Model is a compassionate and holistic approach to addiction recovery that focuses not only on the individual but on the entire family system. Unlike traditional interventions that target the addicted person alone, this model helps families understand their roles in the addiction cycle, facilitates better communication, and promotes healing within the family unit. The goal is to create an environment where everyone works together to support the person in recovery, fostering long-term success and emotional health for all involved.

How does the Systemic Family Intervention Model differ from other intervention methods?

The Systemic Family Intervention Model differs from traditional intervention methods in that it doesn’t just focus on the addicted individual, but instead works with the entire family. It takes a more inclusive approach, allowing family members to better understand how their actions, roles, and dynamics may have contributed to the addiction cycle. The goal is to create a safe space for everyone to communicate openly and work together toward recovery. Traditional methods may involve a more confrontational or “ambush” approach, while the systemic model emphasizes healing, education, and healthier family communication.

What can I expect during a systemic family intervention?

During a Systemic Family Intervention, the process starts with a comprehensive family assessment, where I’ll meet with family members individually and as a group to understand family dynamics and history. We’ll identify unhealthy patterns and roles that may be reinforcing the addiction cycle. Through several sessions, family members will learn effective communication techniques, healthy coping strategies, and how to set realistic boundaries. When it’s time for the intervention itself, the family will present the addicted individual with a supportive, structured invitation to seek treatment, while also sharing how the addiction has impacted their lives. The intervention aims to avoid confrontation and instead fosters understanding and support, which increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Why should my family choose the Systemic Family Intervention Model?

Choosing the Systemic Family Intervention Model offers several key benefits. It involves the entire family in the process, which is vital for long-term recovery. By addressing the root causes of addiction within the family system and encouraging open communication, this model helps break unhealthy cycles and strengthens relationships. It’s a more compassionate, holistic approach that not only helps the person struggling with addiction but also supports the emotional healing and growth of the entire family. This can lead to lasting recovery, healthier family dynamics, and better emotional well-being for everyone involved.

How long does a family intervention take?

The length of a Systemic Family Intervention can vary depending on the family’s needs and the complexity of the addiction. Typically, the process involves a series of sessions spread over several weeks. The first few sessions involve family education, understanding roles, and developing communication skills. The final session is the actual intervention, where the addicted individual is invited to accept treatment. The intervention itself usually takes a few hours, but the entire family healing process can extend beyond the intervention, as the family continues to work on improving their relationships and supporting recovery. It’s important to understand that while the intervention itself may be brief, the healing and recovery process is ongoing.

Can the Systemic Family Intervention Model be used for teens or young adults?

Yes, the Systemic Family Intervention Model can be used for teens and young adults struggling with addiction. In fact, it’s often highly effective for younger individuals because it creates a supportive, non-confrontational environment where the entire family can work together to address the problem. In cases involving teens, it’s especially important to engage parents and family members to better understand the unique challenges and pressures young people face, while also fostering healthy communication and coping strategies. The goal is to encourage the teen or young adult to make healthier choices and understand the impact of their actions on the family, while also offering the family tools to support the individual’s recovery.

Will the intervention work if my loved one refuses treatment?

While it’s not uncommon for the person struggling with addiction to initially resist treatment, the Systemic Family Intervention Model is designed to encourage understanding rather than confrontation. By focusing on family healing and open communication, the model increases the likelihood that the addicted individual will recognize the need for help. While there’s no guarantee that someone will accept treatment immediately, the process helps plant the seeds for future recovery by fostering empathy, understanding, and a greater willingness to accept help. The intervention process also gives family members the tools they need to support their loved one through the recovery journey, whether they choose treatment now or later.

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.