What Is Motivational Enhancement Therapy?

Motivational Enhancement Therapy or MET is one method of psychological therapy that delves into the motivation of an individual for change. Usually, those who undergo Motivational Enhancement Therapy are people with substance dependency such as alcoholics or those with a psychological illness like eating disorders who are very reluctant towards change and who, in most cases, deny that they have a problem to begin with.

The goal of Motivational Enhancement Therapy is to make a person acknowledge that he has a problem and that a change is necessary. It is the job of the therapist to help a person discover the motivational factors that will make him want to change his condition and associated behaviors. Through this counseling approach, this person becomes willing to undergo treatment. The theory behind this approach is that motivation must come inherently in order for change to become effective.

In Motivational Enhancement Therapy, the clients set their own goals although the therapist can make recommendations such as total abstinence, for example. The role of the therapist is that of a guide and the driving force of change is always the client. While this approach is described as directive it is not confrontational, which means it employs more of supportive strategies such as asking open-ended questions and parallel talking. Successful Motivational Enhancement Therapy inspires change without making the client feel that he is being forced, influenced or controlled.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy sessions differ depending on what phase of motivation a client is in whether he is at the initial point where change is not a consideration, or he is already thinking about change and assessing its pros and cons, or he has decided to make a change and looking at options and, lastly, whether the patient has already taken some concrete actions towards change.

In general, sessions work around specific themes such as reasons to stop the problematic behavior or what the patients like and dislike about use of alcohol, for instance. The typical structure of a session of Motivational Enhancement Therapy starts with open-ended questions with a summary of the discussion at the end, at which point the client is given the chance to reflect on the session.

A good motivational counselor or therapist should have a solid understanding of the client's point of reference. Aside from evoking from the patient statements that are in favor of change, a good therapist must also be able to highlight such statements by filtering the thoughts of the client as well as weaken statements that reflect the current behavior. Lastly, a good therapist makes clients feel accepted and affirms their freedom to choose what is best for their life.