For our purposes here, an Intervention is a process of helping a network of family/friends/coworkers to strategically develop and implement a plan to influence change in the behaviors of a loved one or an organization.

The most important change you can make to your thinking about an Intervention is that it is not an event, it is a process.

Are there different kinds of Interventions?

There are three primary models of Intervention: Johnson, Systemic, and ARISE. While I understand and have utilized all three, I primarily use the ARISE model. Brief explanations might be helpful:

The Johnson Model

This is the confrontational/ambush model seen on the A&E Television show, “Intervention.” While it can be effective in getting addicts into treatment, there can be a high relapse rate and difficulty getting the addict to complete the initial course of treatment (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8841685) The process can be very unpleasant, even abusive, and does not address family issues which might unwittingly contribute to maintaining addiction.

The Systemic Model

The Systemic Family Intervention model utilizes Family Systems theory and practice to engage the entire family system in the treatment process. It is far more gentle and respectful, but it also requires a great deal more time and energy on the parts of the family and the interventionist, as well as more expertise on the part of the interventionist.

The ARISE Model

The ARISE Model is highly structured, respectful and invitational. In fact, the model has been clinically demonstrated to be the most effective model when conducted by counselors trained in the model and used with general populations. While the ARISE model addresses family issues and promotes systemic healing, it is not family therapy per se. It is, however, highly effective. While no guarantees can be given, the ARISE model has the strongest clinical research evidence behind it as the most effective model.