About
What is Helping Families Help?
Helping Families Help is a provider-peer supported website amplifying CRAFT-based resources.
It is a resource hub for anyone interested in learning more about CRAFT-based resources… including the original CRAFT protocol as created by Dr. Robert J Meyers and Associations, Invitation to Change (ITC) from CMC:Foundation for Change, SMART Recovery Family & Friends, or any of the other approaches that teach skills and perspectives based in CRAFT to help family members and friends navigate a loved one’s concerning use of alcohol or substances.
For concerned family members and friends, HelpingFamiliesHelp.com points toward resources (including events, groups, books, websites, podcasts, and providers) who offer CRAFT-based learning and support. Helping Families Help doesn’t provide the care directly, but we connect you with the resources and people who can. Helping Families Help is free to use for anyone looking for CRAFT-based care and support for themselves and their families.
For providers the Helping Families Help Provider Network (HFHPN) offers a community of folks who are bringing (or are interested in bringing) CRAFT-based care into their communities. There is a charge for providers to become members of HFHPN as this is what helps support the website, the provider community, and the work behind both… but to make it as easy as possible for new providers to learn more about CRAFT, the first year of membership is absolutely free! Click here to learn more about HFHPN.
Why create Helping Families Help?
As a clinician and family member myself, I know how confusing, frustrating, and terrifying it can be to watch someone we love get caught within patterns of addiction. Because of this, I am passionate about connecting families with resources based in science and kindness.
I know that families care deeply and are deeply affected by their loved one’s alcohol or substance use.
I know that families are often underserved, under-supported, and underutilized within the treatment field, often being cast as “part of the problem” instead of the incredible resource of knowledge, care, and love that you actually are.
And I know that really powerful and effective approaches exist, grounded in science and kindness, that concerned family members can learn to help improve communication, increase connection, and effectively encourage their loved one towards recovery while taking care of themselves in the process.
I believe in the power of these approaches, based in CRAFT. And I believe in the power of a family’s care and knowledge and love.
My belief is based on an approach that has delivered results over time and circumstance. Belief rooted in communication science, behavioral principals, mindfulness, and compassion. Belief borne out from years of research. And belief from our my experiences in seeing families reconnect and grow beyond addiction, again and again and again.
Whether you are a concerned family member yourself or are a provider wanting to learn more, I want to get you connected with the amazing CRAFT-based resources that are out there… and this is how I do it!
Hello! I’m so glad you are here…
The Helping Families Help website (previously SoberFamilies.com) was offered to me in 2019, and I now run the site in between my clinical work, facilitating trainings, and family time. My commitment to Helping Families Help is grounded in my strong desire to support families and providers who want to learn more about CRAFT and CRAFT-based approaches.
I have a full-time private practice in inner SE Portland, Oregon, USA where I work with adults with mental health concerns, addictive behavior concerns and with family members struggling with their loved one’s addictive behaviors.
I’ve been a SMART Recovery facilitator since 2014 and ran both Standard and Family & Friends SMART Recovery groups for several years. I’ve facilitated Invitation to Change trainings with what is is now CMC:Foundation for Change since 2016 and completed Certification in CRAFT by Dr. Robert Meyers and Associates in 2018.
Private practice website: Cordelia Kraus at Vital Space, LLC | Helping Families Help Provider Directory link | Curriculum vitae
The History behind HelpingFamiliesHelp.com
This website has been around in one form or another since 2012 and has had a few iterations along the way. If you are interested in where we’ve been… and where we are hoping to go… read more about the site history here.
Feeling stuck? I’d love to help you find resources that are a good fit for you!
Send me a message by emailing connect@helpingfamilieshelp.com or use the message form below. I will get back to you as soon as I can!