Intervention (psychology)
Intervention in psychology refers to purposeful actions aimed at bringing about change, particularly in the context of mental health treatment and research. This concept is vital in addressing psychopathology, where clinicians implement specific therapy techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to alleviate conditions like depression. In research, the term takes on a different meaning, involving the comparison of treatment methods against placebo controls to evaluate their effectiveness.
One notable application of intervention is in the treatment of substance use disorders, where it often involves a structured approach to encourage individuals to seek help for their addiction. This may include interventions initiated by family and friends when the individual does not recognize their need for treatment. Various techniques, including confrontational methods and supportive approaches, are employed, often with the assistance of trained interventionists. Ultimately, the goal of these interventions is to motivate individuals to enter treatment voluntarily, thereby fostering positive change in their lives.
Intervention (psychology)
- TYPE OF PSYCHOLOGY: Psychopathology; psychotherapy
- In the field of psychology, “intervention” is a term used to convey actions, therapeutic or experimental, to effect change. In many ways, the field of psychology is best known for its interventions in clinical treatment and research; therefore, this concept is a foundational one for the field.
Introduction
The word intervention is derived from the word intervene, which means "to come in between in a way that causes change." It is a term used in many professions, including medicine, nursing, education, and law enforcement. The term is also used in the mental health field in several ways; one applies to clinicians and one applies to researchers. Across all professions, however, interventions are designed to be specific actions to deal with specific problems. In mental health, the typical target of intervention is psychopathology.
Among clinicians, the term “intervention” is generally used to refer to any application of a specific psychotherapy plan or technique. For instance, a clinician planning to work with a client who is depressed might describe the chosen intervention to combat the depression as a cognitive behavior therapy. Thus, the therapy described was the way in which the therapist intended to make changes happen on the identified problem.
Researchers in mental health also use the term “intervention” but in a slightly different way. Those who do clinical research might also be looking to compare one treatment to another type of treatment or placebo (also known as an innocuous or inactive treatment). To discuss such research plans, professionals use special language that describes the mechanics of the research methodology. Part of the research methodology for any research project is the specific design chosen. In this case, where a researcher was comparing a treatment to a placebo condition, the methodology language would call this design a two-group comparison of intervention versus control, or, sometimes, treatment versus placebo. As such, among professionals working in mental health, the term “intervention” has at least two meanings. One is related to general clinical work. The second is related more to research. In some areas of mental health, the word also has specific implications. In the treatment of substance use disorder, intervention has a precise meaning.
Use in Addictions and Substance Use Disorders
Beginning treatment for addiction generally requires that one either enter treatment voluntarily or otherwise be remanded to such care for legal reasons. Mental health professionals prefer that clients enter treatment voluntarily. Occasionally, this does not happen because the person suffering fails to recognize the problem. With substance use disorders and other problems related to addiction, this happens frequently because the range of problems demanding treatment can extend from mild to severe. With less severe problems, social pressure to encourage a person to seek help might be scant. As problems become more severe and the presence of an addiction becomes more pronounced, however, social pressure to seek help does increase. Sometimes, family members and significant others may conclude that a loved one needs help before the individual recognizes the problem. If the individual does not seek help, others may seek out qualified professionals to help them perform an intervention.
Traditionally and predominantly used in the field of addiction treatment, the intervention approach expanded after the mid-1980s to address a wide range of self-destructive behaviors. In this technique, the attempt to effect change usually occurs in a circumscribed time and planned locale. These procedures should not be attempted without serious study and even consultation. Usually, one of several approaches is used: the confrontational approach, the tough love intervention, or the love first approach. Other more complex intervention methods include the Albany-Rochester Interventional Sequence for Engagement (ARISE) and the Johnson Model of intervention.
In simple interventions, a single individual confronts the person with the addiction in a firm conversation that sets boundaries with the intent of helping the person to change. Classic and family interventions follow the same premise, but a group of individuals gather to confront the individual experiencing addiction. Sometimes, concerned individuals may enlist the help of professionals, usually called interventionists, to help them prepare for the event. Preparation typically involves identifying individuals whom the individual with the substance use disorder knows well and who have seen the effects of the addiction on that person’s life. These individuals convene for a structured confrontation that stresses concern for the welfare and safety of the confronted individual. The desired result is usually for the person to enter treatment voluntarily.
Bibliography
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"Intervention: Help a Loved One Overcome Addiction." Mayo Clinic, 29 Nov. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/intervention/art-20047451. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
"Intervention Types & Programs: Do They Work?" American Addiction Centers, 19 July 2024, americanaddictioncenters.org/intervention. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
Jay, Jeff, and Debra Jay. Love First: A Family's Guide to Intervention. 3rd ed., Hazelden, 2021.
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