We spoke with Yossi Bensoussan, a Family and Addiction Intervention Specialist, to share insight into how families can recognize when additional support may be needed, how to approach difficult conversations, and how intervention and family-centered care can help guide families toward stability and healing.
Key Points From This Interview
- When families often reach out for intervention support
- How to recognize when concerns may require additional help
- Why family involvement and communication are critical
- What parents can do when they feel unsure where to turn
- How early support can prevent situations from escalating
Provider Snapshot
Name: Yossi Bensoussan
Role: Family and Addiction Intervention Specialist
Focus: Family systems support, intervention planning, and care coordination
When Families Begin to Seek Help
What do you wish families understood about reaching out for help during difficult moments?
Many families wait until things feel unmanageable before reaching out for support. I wish families knew that asking for help earlier does not mean they’ve failed — it means they’re paying attention and responding to what’s happening.
Intervention support is not only for extreme situations. It can be helpful when families feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward. Early conversations often lead to better outcomes and reduce stress for everyone involved.
What concerns do families most often express when they first reach out?
Families frequently share that they feel lost. They are worried about their child or loved one but don’t know what type of support is appropriate or where to begin.
Many parents also express fear about making the “wrong” decision or pushing too hard. They want to help without damaging trust or relationships, which can make taking action feel even harder.
Recognizing When Additional Support May Be Needed
What signs often indicate that families may benefit from outside support?
Families often notice patterns before they reach out — increasing conflict, withdrawal, changes in behavior, or a growing sense that things are no longer manageable at home.
Sometimes parents feel that their instincts are telling them something isn’t right, even if they can’t clearly explain it yet. That feeling alone is often enough reason to seek guidance and explore options.
The Role of Family in the Intervention Process
Why is family involvement so important in this work?
Families play a central role in a child or adolescent’s support system. Sustainable progress rarely happens in isolation. When families are involved, aligned, and supported themselves, it creates a foundation for lasting change.
Intervention work is not about blame or control. It’s about helping families communicate clearly, set healthy boundaries, and move toward support together.
What would you tell parents who feel scared to take the next step?
Feeling afraid is completely understandable. Most families worry about how their child will react or whether reaching out will make things worse.
I encourage parents to remember that doing nothing is also a decision. Seeking guidance does not lock families into a specific path — it opens the door to information, options, and support.
What Families Often Find Surprising
What surprises families once they begin working with an intervention specialist?
Many families are surprised by how collaborative the process feels. They expect judgment or pressure, but instead experience support, structure, and clarity.
Families also often realize they are not alone. Many of the challenges they face are shared by others, even if they feel isolating at first.
Guidance for Parents Who Feel Overwhelmed
What advice do you give parents who feel unsure where to start?
Start with a conversation. You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. A single conversation can help families understand their options and identify next steps that feel manageable.
It’s also important for parents to care for themselves during this process. Supporting a child through difficult moments is emotionally demanding, and parents deserve support too.
Key Takeaways for Families
- Asking for help earlier can prevent situations from escalating
- Feeling unsure is often a sign that guidance could be helpful
- Intervention support is collaborative, not punitive
- Family involvement is essential for lasting progress
- Parents do not have to navigate these decisions alone
Moving Forward With Support and Clarity
When families are facing uncertainty or concern about a child or adolescent, having the right support can make an enormous difference. Understanding options, feeling heard, and having guidance through next steps helps families move forward with confidence rather than fear.
As FindCare4Kids continues to build a trusted directory and educational resources, our goal is to help families find appropriate, verified support — whether they are navigating autism services, youth mental health care, or more complex family challenges.
