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Professional Interventionists

Jeff and Debra Jay have trained a highly qualified team of interventionists to work with your family. Our addiction specialists have deep personal and professional experience with alcoholism and drug addiction, and are ready to provide guidance in the most difficult situations.

Jeff JayJeff Jay: Interventionist and coauthor of Love First: A Family's Guide to Intervention. Jeff has been working full time in the alcohol and drug treatment field since 1986, including work for the Hazelden Foundation. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and a Certified Addictions Professional. He has appeared as an addictions expert on CNN, PBS, and the Jane Pauley Show.

Jeff specializes in difficult and complex interventions, including those complicated by psychological issues, such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disease and trauma. He also conducts interventions for eating disorders, gambling addiction, sex addiction, and other issues.

Mr. Jay is also the coauthor of At Wit's End: What You Need to Know when your Loved One is Diagnosed with Addiction and Mental Illness (Hazelden, 2008).

 "I am passionate about intervention for a very simple reason," says Jeff. "Intervention saved my life." —Read Jeff's story.

Debra JayDebra Jay has been a frequent guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is a noted author, lecturer and interventionist. She has been seen most recently on The Dr. Oz Show.

Debra's most recent book is: No More Letting Go: The Spirituality of Taking Action Against Alcoholism and Drug Addiction (Bantam).

She is coauthor of two other books: Love First and Aging and Addiction. Debra worked for the Hazelden Foundation as an inpatient addiction therapist. She also facilitated the Family Program and coordinated the Older Adult Program. She has worked as an interventionist since 1996.

Debra Jay speaks nationally at professional and community conferences, and writes a newspaper column on alcohol and drug addiction. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University.


Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Stephanie Christy:
Masters level therapist with a strong recovery background, Stephanie has worked in a variety of clinical settings, with a specialization in adolescent and young adult issues. She has also done research work for the University of Michigan in addiction and recovery-related studies. She is now pursuing a specialization in dual diagnosis and trauma.

Seattle, WA
Cy Kohls:
With more than 25 years experience, Cy is well known nationally in the treatment field. He has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings (including Hazelden), and he currently works with recovering physicians in the Washington Physicians Health Program. He is nationally board certified, and has worked extensively with businesses, families, and impaired healthcare professionals.

Ann Arbor, MI
Phillip LaCourse:
Phil is a Masters level clinician and a Limited License Psychologist. A multi-talented therapist, he has worked as a counselor in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and has supervised adolescent treatment programs as well as adult programs. He is equally adept at working with difficult teens and high-level executives. He is a specialist in motivational interviewing and the stages-of-change model of treatment.

Atlanta, Georgia
Endsley Real:
Master’s level social worker who has worked in the field of addiction and mental health treatment since 1995.  She has experience in a variety of clinical settings, including serving as director of a long-term residential program for women.  Endsley brings extensive personal experience in recovery as the child of an alcoholic. 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Judge Thomas S. Gilbert (ret.):
A former district court judge with a masters degree in addiction counseling from Hazelden, Tom combines an extensive legal background with the latest clinical expertise. He is a specialist in dealing with impaired professionals (lawyers, doctors and executives). Judge Gilbert has a special gift for combining empathy with reality to bring about a "moment of clarity."

Jacksonville, FL
Tedd Moorehouse:
Tedd is a masters-level clinician with 28 years experience in substance abuse and mental health counseling. Original trained by the U. S. Navy as an Alcohol Treatment Specialist, Tedd is now a Certified Addictions Professional and Certified Mental Health Professional with extensive personal experience of family systems. Tedd believes action leads to full recovery for all members of the family.

Detroit, MI
Sandra Yarbrough: A specialist in dealing with opiate dependency, Sandy is a licensed master of social work with a strong recovery background. She has many years of experience working with the toughest addictions and she also has a sub-specialty in human sexuality. Her strong professional demeanor always earns respect from headstrong individuals.

Baltimore, MD
Scott Dehorty:
Scott is a Master's level social worker who has worked with addiction and mental health since 1993. He is currently working at Johns Hopkins as a specialist in pain management and addiction. He was a crisis counselor and administrator at Father Martin's Ashley from 1997-2002. Scott has extensive personal experience with addiction and recovery, and he also has a specialization in mental health and co-occurring disorders.

Los Angeles, CA
Peter Aude:
Peter is the lead interventionist for our low cost intervention subsidiary. He has completed more than 100 interventions. Peter's own story of recovery gives him a powerful understanding of crisis management. He combines compassion with a military background, giving him a unique set of skills. He is a member of the Association of Intervention Specialist (AIS) and a Board Registered Interventionist (BRI-1).

Rome, Italy
Elisabeth Escobar:
A highly experienced clinician and interventionist who has a special expertise in dealing with difficult and sensitive cases. Elizabeth has worked with many types of clients, from adolescents and dual disorder patients to executives and physicians. She has a deep understanding of family systems. Ms. Escobar is a masters level therapist with two advanced degrees. She is available to facilitate alcohol and drug addiction interventions throughout Europe. Call our offices in the U.S. at 001-313-882-6921.

To begin working with any of our interventionists or to get more information call:
888-220-4400 or from outside the U.S.: 001-313-882-6921. Or email us.

We also offer recovery mentoring services, as well as a sober house for women (Cinnamon House). Call 888-220-4400 for details.



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