Successful family intervention techniques rely on the counselor or intervention specialist to understand the cultural leanings of the family, the underlying relationships, type of crisis the family is undergoing and the roles of each family member. According to the Administration for Children and Families, or ACF, not all intervention techniques work with every family, nor do similar techniques always work within the same family. Instead, counselors must develop a strategy that takes into account the family variables and each unique situation.
Focus
Oftentimes, a family becomes distracted by consequences that are not directly related to the initial cause of the crisis that triggered a need for intervention. According to the ACF, helping a family focus on one problem at a time can help to alleviate much of the stress. Once the initial stressor is dealt with, you then can help the family focus on the responses. For example, if the initial stressor involved lack of money for food, the family may need to apply for government aid, then the anger that triggered the abuse or neglect can be handled through ongoing therapy.
Substance Abuse
When substance abuse is the cause of the need for intervention, the entire family must become involved in order to facilitate a successful ending to the crisis. Family members must be prepared to face the substance abuser with specific examples of how his behavior is affecting the family. Whether there is a professional involved in the family intervention or not, participants should stick to the facts, according to Intervention Specialists. Family members must maintain control of their emotions during the process and firmly state their positions. Finally, treatment options should be presented at the time of the confrontation.
Cognitive Behavior Family Intervention
Various psychological applications can be applied to families at the time of a crisis. According to Child Trends, cognitive behavior family interventions address both parenting skills and disruptive childhood behaviors. Mental health issues of the parents are addressed in therapy as parents are taught positive parenting skills. The focus of the therapeutic approach to family intervention is on the parents' depression or other mental health issues, and building effective parenting skills to deal with their children's reactions to the weak parenting they've received.
