What Are the Key Assumptions of an Intervention Philosophy?

An intervention philosophy is an approach to a loved one to change a particular behavior. Interventions can address substance abuse, addictions, social problems or educational problems. You perform an intervention when you believe that the subject's actions are beyond his control. Each intervention philosophy relies on a few specific assumptions. Identifying which of these assumptions are true is the first step toward selecting the appropriate intervention style for your situation.

Simple Intervention

• A simple intervention is the process of a family member, or a few family members, sitting down with the intervention subject and expressing their feelings and concerns regarding the subject's actions. The key assumption for a simple intervention is that the behavior holds only a mild to moderate control over the subject. For instance, a social drinker or a student who is performing poorly in a class for the first time in her life are both ideal situations for a simple intervention. The goal is for you to establish a connection with the subject, express your concerns and offer your support to help change the behavior problems.

Crisis Intervention

• You perform a crisis intervention as a response to a severe event resulting from a loved one's behavior. For the purposes of this kind of intervention, a qualified crisis intervention specialist should be present for the procedure. The key assumption for a crisis intervention is that an event occurred as a direct result of the subject's action that you can use to awaken the subject to the severity of their problem. For example, once a loved one has been in an accident as a result of their drinking, you can point to the accident as an example of how they have let their behavior get out of control, and suggest methods of abstaining from the behavior to avoid similar accidents.

Classic Intervention

• The classic intervention is an abrupt group confrontation of a subject's behavior, lead by a qualified intervention specialist. Classic intervention is a more severe form of intervention, primarily used in cases where the family believes that the subject is beyond other methods of treatment. The key assumption of classic intervention is that the subject's behavior is out of the subject's control and that immediate confrontation is required to save the subject.

Family System Intervention

• Family system interventions occur when a professional evaluates a family and believes that one individual's addiction has control over the entire family. For instance, a family intervention is ideal in situations in which the father of a family is a heavy drinker who regularly accuses his family of making him drink, creating a situation where the family feels responsible for the father's habit. The key assumption in a family intervention is that someone other than the individual responsible for the behavior feels the guilt and humiliation for the behavior.