Photo of Sandra Anderson, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Washington, DC
Sandra Anderson
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW-C
Verified Verified
Washington, DC 20012
Sandra is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the District of Columbia and Maryland. For the last decade, she has been advocating for individuals and families struggling with mental health concerns. She has provided therapeutic services to a diverse array of individuals of all ages, primarily focused on childhood trauma. Through her work, she is committed to helping people overcome eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, trauma, and other similar stressors that affect all of us at some time in our lives.
Sandra is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the District of Columbia and Maryland. For the last decade, she has been advocating for individuals and families struggling with mental health concerns. She has provided therapeutic services to a diverse array of individuals of all ages, primarily focused on childhood trauma. Through her work, she is committed to helping people overcome eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, trauma, and other similar stressors that affect all of us at some time in our lives.
(667) 200-3996 View (667) 200-3996
Photo of Jennifer Rochel, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Washington, DC
Jennifer Rochel
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LICSW
Verified Verified
Washington, DC 20024  (Online Only)
I have a client centered philosophy of care. My goal is to help clients understand how their thoughts influence their behaviors. When first meeting, I will provide a comfortable and supportive environment for building rapport and setting treatment goals. The hope is for you, my client, to feel supported in developing goals for self improvement and ultimately gaining insight and experiencing personal growth.
I have a client centered philosophy of care. My goal is to help clients understand how their thoughts influence their behaviors. When first meeting, I will provide a comfortable and supportive environment for building rapport and setting treatment goals. The hope is for you, my client, to feel supported in developing goals for self improvement and ultimately gaining insight and experiencing personal growth.
(504) 414-4217 View (504) 414-4217
Intervention Therapists

How does an intervention work?

An intervention is a planned, structured meeting in which a person’s family or friends voice concerns about the person’s behavior and its consequences; the goal is for the person to accept treatment. In this meeting, the person’s loved ones (often with the guidance of a trained interventionist) share how the person’s behavior has harmed them and the consequences if the person refuses treatment. They collectively ask the person to accept a proposed treatment plan.

How effective are interventions?

There isn’t extensive research on the efficacy of interventions, in part because success is difficult to measure. Individuals often enter addiction treatment after an intervention, for example, but treatment itself may not work, especially if the person only begins due to external pressure from others rather than due to internal motivation to change. However, if all other attempts at helping someone have failed, an intervention may be worth exploring.

What are the limitations of interventions?

While a friend or family member’s intentions are in the right place in wanting to help a loved one through an intervention, there are significant limitations to the approach. The surprising nature of the event can make the person feel ambushed or judged. They may feel embarrassed or ashamed as a result, and relationships may be strained or broken. This can make it difficult for the individual to be receptive to the concerns of their loved ones and the interventionist.

Are there alternatives to interventions?

Rather than confronting a loved one through an intervention, an effective and less pressured approach is to create space for a caring, open, one-on-one conversation. This works best if the loved one asks open-ended questions, listens attentively to the answers, and frames their observations and statements with concern rather than judgment. More than one conversation may be needed, but change can take root over time.