How to Conduct a Family Intervention

Every family has its own dynamic; this will greatly depend upon the individual personalities and character of each member within it. When one member of a family is facing a particularly damaging and/or difficult challenge, it is important to rally together as a supportive unit without resorting to judgment or condemnation. Here you will find how to conduct a family intervention with forethought and care.

Things You'll Need

• Space for gathering family

Instructions

Conducting a Family Intervention

1. Give notice to all family members attending the intervention at least 2-3 days in advance. This will ensure that the member whom the intervention is being held for will have the strongest support system in attendance for him when the time for invention comes.

2. Communicate to every family member involved what the purpose of the intervention will be. Discuss what each person will bring to the discussion, and how their individual strategies will add to the group effort.

3. Ensure that the family member whom the intervention is being held will be at the designated meeting place at the appropriate time. Your request for their presence may have to be a bit vague, but avoid outright lies as this is an immediate betrayal of trust.

4. Hold the intervention. Have each family member express his or her concerns without allowing them to incite negativity, blame or hurtful attacks. Encourage each member to focus on showing love and support in the form of honesty and respect; maintaining this environment will help temper clashing viewpoints.

5. Attempt to reach a positive resolution. Whether this means agreeing to counseling (either individual or family), rehabilitation or another significant lifestyle change, the goal should always include leaving the intervention in a healthier position as a family than before it.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to be as clear as possible with the family member you are holding the intervention for without being overtly pushy. She will probably feel ambushed, so focus on creating a safe and loving atmosphere rather than a hostile one.

• If the family member for whom the intervention is being held is in a particularly dangerous and/or life threatening situation, do not hesitate to enlist the aid of a licensed intervention specialist. Never feel afraid or ashamed to seek counseling as a family or as an individual.

References

• Family Interventions and Addiction

Resources

• Find a licensed interventionist for your family
• Anger de-escalation techniques