Photo of Cindy L. Hartman, Licensed Professional Counselor in 80537, CO
Cindy L. Hartman
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Loveland, CO 80537
Expect generous servings of compassion & humor served along side clinical intervention.
At the "Kitchen Table" we work together to heal your mind, body and spirit. Are you struggling with anxiety? Relationship problems? Did you know an undiagnosed health problem can look like ADHD, Autism, Anxiety or Depression? Are behavioral problems, bad habits, or addictions negatively impacting your marriage or other relationships? Are you a chronic "fixer"? Do you meet everyone's needs but your own? I can help! Therapy at the Kitchen Table is grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed therapeutic intervention applied in creative, unique-to-you ways.
Expect generous servings of compassion & humor served along side clinical intervention.
At the "Kitchen Table" we work together to heal your mind, body and spirit. Are you struggling with anxiety? Relationship problems? Did you know an undiagnosed health problem can look like ADHD, Autism, Anxiety or Depression? Are behavioral problems, bad habits, or addictions negatively impacting your marriage or other relationships? Are you a chronic "fixer"? Do you meet everyone's needs but your own? I can help! Therapy at the Kitchen Table is grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed therapeutic intervention applied in creative, unique-to-you ways.
(970) 672-1728 View (970) 672-1728
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.