What to Ask Before You Hire an Interventionist
Before hiring, ask about credentials and how to verify them, exactly what the fee includes in writing, whether they accept payments from treatment programs, how they choose treatment, what happens if the person says no, travel and escort costs, and what support continues afterward. Clear, written answers are a good sign. Vague answers are a warning.
Written by Benjamin Zohar, NCACIP and Christopher Veto, NCACIP. Last updated on 13 October 2026.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
15 questions to ask
Use these questions with anyone you are thinking of hiring, including us. Good answers are specific and willing to go in writing.
Credentials and experience
| Question | Why it matters | A good answer sounds like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| What certification do you hold, and who issued it? | New York does not license the title interventionist. | A named credential and the body that issued it. | “I don’t need one” or a vague answer. |
| How can I verify it myself? | You should not have to take their word for it. | Clear steps to confirm it with the issuing body. | Reluctance to let you check. |
| Who will actually lead our intervention? | Some firms sell the call and send someone else. | The name of the person who will be in the room. | “Whoever is available that day.” |
Fees and written scope
| Question | Why it matters | A good answer sounds like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the total fee, and what does it include? | Surprise costs are common in this field. | One figure with a written list of what is included. | A range that keeps changing. |
| Will you put the scope in writing before I pay? | Written scope protects your family. | “Yes, before you commit.” | Refusing or delaying a written agreement. |
| What do travel and a sober escort cost? | These are often billed separately. | Published or written prices for each. | “We’ll figure it out later.” |
Independence and referrals
| Question | Why it matters | A good answer sounds like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do you accept any payment from treatment programs? | Payments can steer where your loved one goes. | A plain “no,” with a written policy. | Hesitation or a long explanation. |
| Is your fee contingent on admission to a specific program? | It should not depend on where they go. | “No. Our fee is the same wherever they are admitted.” | A discount tied to one facility. |
| Is this intervention “free”? Who is paying for it? | Free interventions are often paid for by a facility. | A clear fee paid by the family. | A “free” service tied to one program. |
Treatment selection
| Question | Why it matters | A good answer sounds like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| How do you choose a treatment program? | The right fit matters more than the brochure. | Level of care, clinical needs, insurance and location. | The same program for every family. |
| Will treatment be arranged before the intervention? | A yes can fade if there is nowhere to go. | Admission details confirmed ahead of time. | “We’ll find a place after they agree.” |
The day itself
| Question | Why it matters | A good answer sounds like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| What happens if my loved one says no? | A no is common. You need a plan for it. | Boundaries, continued family support and a second approach. | “That never happens.” |
| When would you advise against an intervention? | Some situations need medical or crisis help first. | Clear examples, like overdose, suicide risk or violence. | They take every case without screening. |
After the intervention
| Question | Why it matters | A good answer sounds like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| What support continues after the intervention? | Families need help after the day too. | A clear description of follow-up and who provides it. | Nothing after admission. |
| Who do we call if something goes wrong in week one? | Early days in treatment can be rocky. | A named person and a phone number. | A general inbox. |
Printable checklist
Print this page or copy the list below. Check off each question as you go.
- What certification do you hold, and who issued it?
- How can I verify it myself?
- Who will actually lead our intervention?
- What is the total fee, and what does it include?
- Will you put the scope in writing before I pay?
- What do travel and a sober escort cost?
- Do you accept any payment from treatment programs?
- Is your fee contingent on admission to a specific program?
- Is this intervention “free”? Who is paying for it?
- How do you choose a treatment program?
- Will treatment be arranged before the intervention?
- What happens if my loved one says no?
- When would you advise against an intervention?
- What support continues after the intervention?
- Who do we call if something goes wrong in week one?
Red flags
How Intervention NY answers these questions
| Question | Our answer |
|---|---|
| Credentials | Benjamin Zohar and Christopher Veto are both NCACIP (Nationally Certified Advanced Clinical Intervention Professional). Meet Benjamin and Christopher. |
| Who leads it | One of our two co-founders. We do not hand families off. |
| Fee and scope | $2,750 for families in our local service area, including family preparation, intervention planning, treatment placement assistance and coordination. Scope is in writing before you commit. See our cost page. |
| Travel and escort | Quoted separately, in writing. Local sober escort is a $1,250 flat fee. |
| Referral payments | None. Our fee is not contingent on admission to any specific provider. Read our referral transparency policy. |
| Choosing treatment | Based on fit: level of care, clinical needs, insurance and location. Treatment is billed by the provider. |
| If they say no | The family keeps its boundaries and keeps getting support, and we plan a second approach. See the intervention process. |
| When we say no | If someone is in immediate danger, at risk of suicide, or needs medical care now, we will tell you to call 911 instead. |
Want to read more before you call? Get the free family packet, or see who we are and where we work.
Questions families ask
What is the most important question to ask an interventionist?
Ask whether they accept any payment from treatment programs. Payments can steer your loved one toward one facility. A trustworthy interventionist will answer with a plain no and a written policy.
How do I verify an interventionist’s credentials?
Ask for the exact name of the certification and the body that issued it. Then contact that body directly to confirm it. New York State does not license the title interventionist, so this check is up to you.
Are free interventions a red flag?
Often, yes. When an intervention is free to the family, someone else is usually paying, often a treatment facility. Ask who pays and whether the interventionist is tied to one program.
Should an interventionist guarantee results?
No. Nobody can promise that a person will accept help or stay in treatment. A guarantee is a reason to keep looking.
Should I get the fee and scope in writing?
Yes. Before you pay, you should have the total fee, what it includes, and what is billed separately in writing. That includes travel, sober escort and any out-of-area work.
What should happen if my loved one says no?
A good plan includes what happens after a no: boundaries the family can keep, continued support for the family and a second approach when the time is right.
How many interventionists should I talk to?
Talking with two or three is reasonable when time allows. Use the same questions with each so you can compare answers fairly. If there is immediate danger, call 911 instead of waiting.
References
- Intervention: Help a loved one overcome addictionMayo Clinic
- FindTreatment.gov — the federal treatment locatorSAMHSA
- Find addiction treatment in New York StateNYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
These organizations do not endorse Intervention NY. This page is general education, not medical or legal advice. Intervention NY is an intervention and family-navigation service. We are not a rehab, detox, hospital or treatment provider. Last updated 13 October 2026.