Professional Interventionists

We have recruited a highly qualified team of interventionists to work with your family or organization. All of our interventionists have deep personal and professional experience with alcoholism and drug addiction, and are ready to take on the most difficult situations.

Jeff Jay: Co-author of Love First: A New Approach to Intervention for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction. Jeff has been working full time in the alcohol and drug treatment field since 1986, including work as a therapist 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 specilizes in difficult and complex cases, including those complicated by psychological issues, such as anxiety disorders, bi-polar disease and trauma. He also conducts interventions for eating disorders, gambling addiction, sex addiction, and other issues.

Mr. Jay is also the co-author of a new book from Hazelden, dealing with dual diagnosis. At Wit's End: What You Need to Know When a Loved One is Diagnosed with Addiction and Mental Illness.

Read Jeff's story.

Debra Jay: Author of No More Letting Go: The Spirituality of Taking Action Against Alcoholism and Drug Addiction (Bantam, 2006). Co-author of Love First and Aging and Addiction. Debra worked for the Hazelden Foundation as an inpatient addiction therapist with both men and women in primary and extended care. She also facilitated the family program and coordinated the older adult program. She has worked as an interventionist since 1996.

Debra Jay has been a frequent guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, speaks nationally at professional conferences, and writes a newspaper column on alcohol and drug addiction. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Baltimore, MD
C. 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. He was also executive director of the Limen House, a halfway house in Wilmington, DE. Scott has extensive personal experience with addiction and recovery, and he also has a specialization in mental health and co-occurring disorders.

Seattle, WA
Cy Kohls: With more than 20 years of experience, Cy is well known nationally in the chemical dependency treatment field. Over the years, 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.

Grand Rapids, Michigan
Patrick J. Witri: Masters level clinician and limited license psychologist, Pat also brings a wealth of personal experience to his work. He specializes in treating many conditions including methamphetine addiction and gambling addiction. He is a member of the board of the Michigan Association for Problem Gambling. Pat brings calm and clarity to difficult situations, with more than 20 years of experience in the recovery and mental health fields.

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. 

Traverse City, Michigan
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."

Grosse Pointe, Michigan
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.

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 1-313-882-6921. (Skype: Interventionist)

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.

Jeff and Debra Jay & Associates, Inc.
Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, USA.