The initial purpose :The primary purpose of an Intervention is to allow the individual to admit there is a problem, to see how serious it is, and agree to enter into a program of change.
At the beginning of the therapeutic relationship it is important for the counselor to get an understanding of the problem, so there must be a focus on the problem at first. But it’s not a good idea to give too much emphasis to the problem. The Christian counselor moves on to the solution and put the focus there as soon as possible. Humanistic counselors often deal with an ever deepening analysis of the “problem” all the way through. This is not necessary and often does more harm than good.
The secondary purpose: Our goal is to help them admit that they have a problem not by heavy confrontation, but by allowing family members to express their “concerns”. Once the individual has crossed this threshold they are ready for the development of a treatment plan which is the secondary purpose of a good intervention.
Take care of physical needs first. A hungry man or a man in pain can not easily receive freedom giving truth into their life. Therefore, it is important to tend to first things first. If they are hungry, give them a hearty meal. Notice if there are any indications of illness that must be treated by a physician. We must be observant as whether or not the individual is in need of medical care. If they are hurting, if their physical well-being is in jeopardy, this must be taken care of first. Seek the Lord for what to tell the person on the way to the doctors, or the emergency room if you can see that this is where they need to go.
Use of the ASI as a guideline to learn of areas that need attention. The Addiction Severity Index, best known as the ASI, is used in recovery programs all around the country. Presently it is the most widely used diagnostic, paper and pencil instrument in use. It not only is used to get a profile understanding of the person, but also has high utility as an interviewing tool and treatment plan guidance tool. By using the ASI, the individual has the opportunity to tell us something about the seven major areas of life that are important for the counselor to know.
The tool also can be abused. It can easily be used to mislead the counselor if the questions are answered untruthfully. We will cover the ASI more thoroughly later.
How much emphasis on the problem should there be?
There needs to be enough emphasis on the problem so that the person understands that there is one, and that it has had destructive consequences in his life. Sometimes there are also glimpses of new insights that gives a new perspective that may come after a while. But for the most part the intervention will deal with “concerns” of loved ones so that the person can better understand how his substance abusing behavior effected those around him. As soon as family members and friends had an opportunity to express their concerns, the rest of the intervention needs to be spent on the identification of the ministry gifts, skills and abilities that each family member and friend possesses and what each of their roles will be in the development and working out of the treatment plan.
Avoid excessive diagnostic probing.
After the first, or at most 2nd session, in most cases you have completed all your diagnostic work …the rest of the intervention should be spent focusing upon the solution. Many Psychiatrists and Psychologists have been known to spend years seeing their clients every week in sessions that delved ever more deeply into their problems. Sometimes, after years of such delving, at best you have only a high analyzed and defined problem, but not much of a solution, at worst you have a highly creative analysis of a false interpretation that offers no utility in offering the client a solution.
Aptly apply the Word of God
Which scripture would you apply to someone who feels crushed, beaten, and despairing? Both of the following scriptures are true but applicable to different people in different stages of spiritual transformation:
“Let him turn aside from evil, and let him do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it; because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil things." 1 Peter 3:11-12
“Come to Me, all those laboring and being burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am meek and lowly in heart, "and you will find rest to your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
The misapplication of scripture is something frequently done by pastors and lay ministers who do not minister in the Love of the Lord and through the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Church at large is plagued by churches that minister “legalism”, but forget about grace and love. By doing so they are like guilt factories that minister death instead of life. Beware of churches that focus upon your sin but fail to give the message of grace accomplished by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Romans 8:2 says,“ For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me free from the law of sin and of death.”
Jesus Christ came not only to comfort the afflicted but also to afflict the comfortable. But in our role as counselors we need to know which function we need to perform on any specific occasion. If we give comfort to one who needs to be prodded, we keep that person in bondage. On the other hand, if we prod to good works a person who most needs to hear about hope of new life, they may not be able to forebear without having first received the message of hope, forgiveness, and new life to encourage them.
IDENTIFYING THE ADDICTION STRONGHOLDS(THE STEPS TO FREEDOM IN CHRIST)
Interventions in which the interventionist is able to gather together a group of concerned family members are always good opportunities to impact not only the individual, but the whole family as well. The truth is that when one member of the family has a problem, the whole family has a problem. It is also true, but not usually seen at first by family members, that the person for whom the intervention is called, the person with the presenting problem, is not always the person with the worst problem. It may be the most visible, but very often, other family members have hidden problems that may even be more severe than the problem belonging to the person for whom the intervention is called. Therefore, we look at the family intervention as an opportunity to minister, counsel and teach the whole family, not only one person.
One of the best uses of a family intervention is to go through the Steps to Freedom in Christ. The Steps to Freedom in Christ cover 7 significant areas that people most commonly get stuck in and have the greatest difficulties getting free from, in life.
The 7 steps are:
- Discerning the Counterfeit from the Real and renouncing all past counterfeit spiritual experiences and involvement
- Discerning Deceptive thinking patterns from the truth and renouncing all past deception, self-deception, and self-defense.
- Renouncing resentment and bitterness that we have harbored in our hearts declaring God’s forgiveness of us and our forgiveness of those who have sinned against us, whether they deserve it or not.
- Renouncing rebel attitudes against the authority of God in our lives and against the authorities he has put in our lives.
- Renouncing prideful attitudes that cause us to think more highly or lowly of ourselves than we ought.
- Renouncing habitual sin.
- Renouncing Generational sin.
These 7 steps are powerful and effective in breaking down strongholds (deeply entrenched areas of addiction). Go through each one diligently, with sincerity of heart, and humbly before your God as you recite the prayers associated with each one.
Spiritual Warfare Prayer
Hal Lindsey authored a book entitled, “Satan Is Alive And Well On Planet Earth”. Though it is not pleasant to think about the reality of the person known as “Satan” or the “Devil”, in order to ever get free of the spiritual bondages that beset human beings, we must accept the fact that he is real and he is the one who has put human beings ignorant of his wiles in bondage. People who do not believe in the existence of satan are the ones who are most vulnerable to his traps. There are even professing Christians who do not believe in the reality of satan. They should ask themselves how is it that they can believe in God, but not His antithesis. If God is real doesn’t it reason out that satan is too? They should ask the question, “Where does evil come from?”, “What is its origin”. Every believer knows that a Holy God did not bring evil into this world, yet we all know that evil exists. Where than did it come from?
Every Christian counselor must be able to answer this question as it was answered in the title of Hal Linsey’s book by saying yes, indeed, satan is alive and well and living on planet earth. Equipped with this fundamental understanding, the Christian counselor can then accomplish due diligence in spiritual warfare, without which spiritual bondages are not easily broken.
The necessity to conduct spiritual warfare is clearly stated in the book of Ephesians chapter 6. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Ephesians 6:10-18.
Spiritual Warfare Prayer is more effective, the more we understand God’s Word. Unless we understand the hundreds of promises contained in His word that apply to us as believers and inheritors of His Kingdom authority and power we can not with authority and conviction tell the devil to get his hands off of whatever he tries to steal from us. The devil is a thief and a liar, but until we know what he is trying to steal from us and the lies he is telling us, we can not claim back from him the things that belong to us. Some of the things we have to claim back for ourselves as well as our clients are things like self-respect, joy, peace, and self-determination. Also anything else that satan has stolen like family members, friends, land, finances and the power to accomplish God’s plan for your life.
Leading the individual to the threshold of their own surrender
In order to lead a person to surrender in a certain area of life, to be effective, it is helpful if the counselor has first successfully surrendered that aspect of his own life. It is difficult, not to mention hypocritical, to attempt to counsel with spiritual authority in an area the counselor has not obtained overcoming victory brought on by his own surrender.
Teach the true meaning of “surrender”
The word “surrender”, in therapeutic and 12 step program circles, is often used, but less often understood. Program jargon such as, “Let go and let God!”, is held near and dear by most program participants. This jingle is almost a sacred cow among those to whom twelve step programs serve as a church. But among those reverencing these words so highly exists a wide difference of interpretation as to their meaning. To some, “Let go and let God” means to, stop holding on so tight; to others, these words mean to give up and cease your efforts; and still to others it means to cease stubbornly doing things your own way and begin seeking, trusting and obeying God’s way.
Biblical Christians believe that the latter interpretation of “Let go and let God” or “Surrender” is the only one that is effective. The other two interpretations can lead to a spiritual dead end. It is only the third interpretation that requires a personal relationship with God and it is only in a personal relationship that true surrender can take place.
The second interpretation of giving up does not require a personal relationship with God. It only leads to forfeit and defeat and can be a self-destructive choice in a person’s life. Giving up, leads nowhere because there is no creative power from God to inspire and lift the individual up higher than his own circular thoughts.
The first interpretation of holding on too tight is a bit more insightful but still likes power greater than yourself.
We believe that the only concept of surrender that works, is that you have finally arrived at your wits end, and realize that the best of your human knowledge, ability and skill, can not do for you, what you can do only in partnership with God, submitted to Him, trusting in Him, and obedient to His Word and His leading by the Holy Spirit. You now realize that without His power and His input, you are hopeless and helpless.
Formulating God’s treatment plan
Once it is clear in an intervention that the individual is willing and able to surrender his life to God, the second stage of the intervention is ready to begin. The second stage is the treatment plan. Every family member and friend present is asked to help with the development of the plan. It should be done prayerfully and thoughtfully, relying upon the data obtained from the ASI, the intake interview, and any other interviews held with the client and the one hand, and from insights offered by family members on the other.
The areas addressed in treatment planning include (but are not limited to) the following:¨ Spiritual Condition¨ Mental Health and Thought Life¨ Emotional Life¨ Health¨ Family Life¨ Social Life and Friendships¨ Career¨ Financial Life¨ Legal Issues
Lets take the example of a parolee who has agreed to enter into an intervention with his family members. Frequently in the life of parolees, there is some unfinished legal and financial issues hanging over their head. It could be in the form of outstanding warrants, or fines that remain to be paid to the court. The counselor who deals with this population understands that these things could be a cause for despair and hopelessness to those who are under the bondage of them. These debts seem to the parolee like a mountain that can never be moved. A good interventionist will guide the individual and family to include these things in the treatment plan which may include a plan to get a job and a budget plan that sets aside an affordable percentage of the salary to systematically take care of these outstanding fines. Alone, the individual might feel that he could ever manage these things, but with the loving accountability of a family member or friend he can trust, it can be accomplished with much less confusion and difficulty. This kind of family support is priceless. But in cases where there is no family support, the interventionist or the counselor may be a point of accountability to give this support.
In developing initial treatment plan statements for the parolee example just discussed, the statement might read as follows:
1. John will seek a job in the area of his skill and training in order to financially stabilize his life.2. John will meet at least once a month with (a member of the family skillful with financial management) to go over his budget and discuss the most appropriate allocation and distribution of his finances.3. During the first meeting with (this family member) statements of long term and short term financial goals will be establishes and written into the treatment plan.
These three statements are just the beginning. In most cases they will be amended or changed to meet financial changes that take place to meet events such as the loss of a job or the gaining of a pay raise. For these reasons and others, the treatment plan statements and goals must be reexamined periodically and especially whenever there is a change of status.
The interventionist is not responsible for the treatment plan content
The interventionist supplies the guidelines and acts as a referee to keep the family on track. In doing so he may offer teachings on topics that will help guide the individual and the family members into making wise decisions and taking wise actions. But in order for the treatment plan to be accepted by the family and worked on by the individual, it must be understood that they are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the treatment plan content. In cases where the interventionist has put together the treatment plan alone without the input and agreement of the individual or family members, it is seen as an outside imposition and is usually discarded at the first opportunity. An important goal of a good intervention is to impart to the family that the treatment plan is theirs and they have ownership of it to do what they want. Our part as interventionists and counselors is to train them and guide them but not to live their lives for them. Getting the individual used to a “compliancy” life-style will sooner or later end in failure. The wisdom contained in a good treatment plan must be surrendered to in the same way that one would surrender to God’s truth, and then owned by the individual as his journey out of darkness.
Facilitate family involvement in creating the treatment plan
The best way to facilitate family involvement in the creating of the treatment plan is to find out what the gift and skill areas of each family member are. This can be done by asking each member to take the spiritual gift test, and through questions asked during the interview conducted by the interventionist prior to the intervention.
Having an influence on the treatment plan development of social workers in government agencies
Most families don’t realize how overworked most social workers are and how welcomed a treatment plan put together by a concerned family would be. In many cases the social workers will allow the family to write the treatment plan for them, or have input into the treatment plan, because they are so overworked and don’t have the time to develop a thoughtful plan for each case in their huge caseloads. This is a good opportunity to make sure that a good and biblical treatment plan is executed. If the family does not get involved, the social worker is free to send the individual to facilities, programs and counselors using therapies and practices that may stand in opposition to God’s word.
Involve the right kind of friends, family, and church members as accountability partners.
The family members and friends desiring to participate in the intervention should be carefully screened by the interventionist. There are certain categories of people that would not be helpful to the intervention if they were asked to be part of it. These categories include family members and friends who:
¨ Are presently substance abusers and have no intention of quitting¨ Do not have the time or can not find the time needed to commit to helping the family member in need¨ Have a dislike, hatred or critical attitude toward the individual¨ Are not trusted by the individual
Intervention Rules
Rules are important because they 1) They give the participants a sense of security and safety that is needed; 2) They provide guidelines and boundaries for effectiveness; and 3) They inhibit family members and friends from making destructive statements or taking destructive actions. There must be rules set that the participants can understand and agree to. While no rules will lead to chaos and destruction of the process, too many rules can be burdensome and lead to confusion. An intervention typically works best when no less then one and no more than 7 rules are applied. The following list of rules is an example of a good set for a typical intervention:
1) All statements must be in the form of loving expressions of care and concern.2) Judgmental or critical statements are strictly forbidden. If a participant makes such a statement they will be given one warning to not make further judgmental or critical statements. If they persist they will be excused from the intervention. (Some dysfunctional family members are simply not able to abide by the rules and must be excused)3) One person speaks at a time4) There is no cross talk5) Each participant must actively participate in the carrying out of the treatment plan the best they can.
The number of sessions may be anywhere from 1 to 3 leading to ongoing family meetings
A typical intervention is one, two, or three sessions of 2 to 3 hours each. But the hope is that if the intervention is successful, it will lead to the restoration of family meetings that could be ongoing indefinitely. The best possible outcome would be the establishment of something like a weekly family bible study; a time in which family members could draw closer to God and one another, study God’s Word, pray, and heal. Over time this will result in deep family intimacy, support and love that would add great strength to the lives of all family members.
The Interventionist is not a member of the family or group of friends, but a family advocate, referee, guide and leader
The interventionist is the person with the wisdom, skill and expertise to conduct the intervention. He is not a family member or friend though later, in a different role, he may become considered as one by family and friends. But for the purpose of conducting a successful intervention he must maintain a professional detachment in order to be effective.
The interventionist’s role as family advocate requires that he use great care that all of his statements uphold the family as a supportive unit, and each member as a functional person. To do this, the interventionist must actively look for and affirm every good quality, spiritual gift, and skill that he could detect in every family member, friend and especially the individual for whom the intervention has been convened. It can’t be emphasized enough how important it is to locate and publicly affirm as many good qualities of the individual as possible. This will protect him from a burden of shame and afford him the freedom to receive and interact at optimum levels with family members and friends.
The interventionist’s role as referee requires that at times he must stop the beginnings of critical, judgmental or destructive conversation from going any further before it does any harm. In his role as referee he might have to issue a warning to one of the family members not to proceed in the way he was going. This warning may take the form of a friendly reminder of the rule with a coaching on how to restate his concerns in a non-judgmental, critical or destructive use of words and tone of voice. Sometimes family members may also need to be coached about the use of an angry look.
In his role as guide, the interventionist may need to redirect the conversation to either avoid critical, destructive or judgmental statements, or, encourage the identification of strengths, skills or statements containing solutions. The guide role of the interventionist will also have to teach at times by shedding light and giving wisdom and understand to areas of misunderstanding.
The interventionist as a leader must be seen as one who is confident in his level of knowledge, skill and expertise to earn family trust. He must also be seen as a person of high moral character, a man or woman who is able to be firm and decisive at a time when there may be disagreement. There should be no doubt that the interventionist is in overall control of the direction of the intervention at any given time. (Be careful to discern the difference between your true goal of having control of the intervention, and having control of the people, which would not be your goal).
Concerns must be stated as loving concerns … not angry accusations
One of the reasons why secular interventions so often end up in explosive anger with people walking out of the session, never willing to try again, is because there is not a rule (or people are not disciplined enough to obey the rule) to state their concerns in love while avoiding using it as an opportunity to dump their anger, rage and hostility.
Example of the effects of expression of concern degenerating into an angry accusation:Jim the brother of John: “John, when you stopped coming to our family outings, it was a slap in the face to mom & dad. You’re a selfish ignoramus who only thinks about himself!”John’s likely response: “Listen, idiot! You don’t even have a clue as to why I stopped coming! What do you care anyway! I’m outa here!”Notice that no loving concern is expressed; that no feelings are owned by the first communicator; and an angry accusation was made. These kind of remarks usually lead to a defensive reaction and reactive anger. But let’s look at what could have been said instead that would have put in motion a positive flow of energy:Jim the brother of John: “John, when you stopped coming to our family outings, I missed my brother. I love you, John, and there was something important missing when you weren’t there.”John’s response now might be: “Jim, I really didn’t know you missed me all that much. Truth is, I missed you and the family as well!”
Notice how this more positive response can lead the interventionist to guide the intervention into writing treatment plan goals to include periodic family meetings, which all family members should make their best effort to attend. It’s okay for the interventionist to suggest a goal but not to decide on one without the permission and agreement of the family. It must be owned by the family members, who are free to change the wording to meet their specific needs. But one of the primary goals of the intervention is to make a way for on-going family gatherings for the purpose of practicing more positive family communication skills and experiencing deeper and more meaningful family intimacy.
Admitting the problem and preparedness to work on it
There is danger in focusing upon the problem too long. We’ve mentioned it before because of the importance of this understanding, and we will mention it again. Although it is necessary to discuss the problem so the individual could accept the fact that he has one, so often the focus is more on analyzing and delineating the problem, without ever getting involved in the solution. If by the end of the first session, the individual isn’t ready to admit that he has a problem, he probably won’t come back for the next session.
The process of facing the problem is best followed by discerning the individual’s attitudes about a number of things. Following is a list of things to do and to look for in order to discern if the individual is ready for the intervention. Following is a list of actions that will help the individual face their problem:
¨ Ask the individual to explain why he decided to come to the intervention¨ Discern his level of motivation for being their…anything less than desperate, might need more time and prayer.¨ Discern if there are people there that he feels uncomfortable with.¨ Teach and model the proper way of expressing concerns to everyone participating in the intervention.¨ Focus on expressing an appreciation for the good qualities that the individual possesses. (must be truthful and not trivial)¨ Expressions of concerns related to the individual’s behaviors and family members feelings may then be expressed only if the behaviors are not expressed with finger wagging, and the feelings are owned by the family member expressing their true feelings with vulnerability.¨ Discern how the individual is responding: defensive, contemplative, receiving, or a combination of emotional responses. Correct discernment at this stage will guide the interventionist on what to do next.¨ If the individual appears defensive, it would be wise to break into a general teaching to all family members than to focus upon the individual.¨ Discern the spirit of the person: Is it rebellious, mocking, angry, or prideful? If so, little ground would be gained at this time by proceeding. If you proceed when the individual is exhibiting these attitudes, it is easy to further damage already tattered family relationships.¨ If the person seems contemplative, stay in a teaching mode for a while then ask probing and open ended questions so the individual will reveal their thoughts, attitudes and feelings.¨ If the individual is receptive and admits to having a problem that they want help with, you can go directly to the family gift and skill learning mode followed by treatment planning.
Greater focus must be on the solution than on the problem
Enough of the intervention time should be focused upon harnessing the family’s spiritual gifts and skills for the purpose of developing and implementing the treatment plan. It would be a good idea to administer the Spiritual Gifts Inventory prior to the first session when that is possible. The last part of the intervention time should be focused upon writing the treatment plan and determining the specifics about what role each person will play in implementing it.
A powerful exercise useful in pointing out the participant’s gifts and strengths
Every family member and friend gets an opportunity to express to the individual truthful observations that they have made about the individual related to his positive areas of gifting and strengths. This is especially powerful because all too often all the individual has heard from anyone has been related to their substance abusing behavior or something negative. This can be an extremely edifying and uplifting experience for the individual and prepare him for the harder work to come.
Everyone plays an accountability role acceptable to the individual
During the actual treatment planning phase a list of ways that family members and friends could help is drawn up by the intervention participants. Such things as “drive John to job interview”, “go with John to court”, “give John a call to see how he is doing every other week”, “conduct a bible study with John,” are drawn up based upon the gifts and skills of family members that became apparent during the intervention. Family members will make a commitment to following through, though perfection is not expected.
For the post-intervention work to be effective the individual should:
¨ Agree to commit to a church family¨ Agree to pray with prayer partners¨ Agree to abide by the treatment plan
No comments:
Post a Comment