Motivational enhancement therapy is a therapeutic method that helps identify and promote behavioral change. Also known as motivational interviewing, MET concentrates on improving motivation and establishing goals. Through this therapy, clients express their desire for change, plan for and begin making changes and strengthen their commitment to change.
At Malibu Detox, we incorporate motivational enhancement therapy utilizing motivational interviewing, an evidence-based practice that supports individuals struggling with substance use disorders and mental illnesses to resolve feelings about substances and make healthy changes. As a collective approach, motivational enhancement therapies empower individuals to change in a collaborative, no-pressure atmosphere.
Our team is committed to helping each patient overcome their substance use disorder and co-occurring mental illness. We encourage you to reach out to learn more about our treatment modalities. Get started in our motivational enhancement therapy program by calling us at (424) 234-2027.
What is Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)?
Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a person-centered cognitive behavioral therapy used to create internal motivation. MET was developed under the umbrella of motivational psychology and has been a valuable tool in transforming addictive behaviors such as drug abuse while increasing client motivation in the substance abuse recovery process.
This therapeutic technique involves an assessment followed by weekly sessions that encourage conversations around substance use and promote positive change talk or motivational statements. Some strategies incorporated in MET include goal setting, planning for change, and encouraging internal motivation. While participating in this counseling approach, your therapist will work alongside you to monitor change, identify any triggers, and discuss coping and cessation strategies. The goal of motivational enhancement therapy as a whole is to resolve equivocation, improve self-empowerment and modify behaviors that lead to substance use.
Motivational enhancement therapy was created to support those struggling with addiction and is most beneficial for those resistant to treatment or unprepared to make necessary changes for lasting recovery. MET is also beneficial for those struggling with shame, guilt, resentment, or lack of self-motivation in their recovery. It can also help those struggling with co-occurring mental health conditions such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Borderline Personality Disorder
The Key Components of Motivational Enhancement Therapy
- Express empathy: This approach involves reflective listening from the therapist while you share your recovery journey. The therapist will then reflect on the shared information with you, but with slight modifications to gauge your self-awareness and self-motivators. This is to encourage understanding, build a trusting relationship, and acknowledge that change is challenging.
- Acknowledge discrepancy: The therapist will help you recognize the discrepancies between your current behaviors and the behaviors you want to adopt to achieve internally motivated change that is lasting. Rather than challenging or opposing you, the therapist will help you better understand your behaviors from a different perspective. To do so, they’ll analyze specific scenarios in different ways.
- Accept resistance: When resistance arises, the counselor will avoid direct confrontation and instead use the energy from your resistance to redirect it to create a positive behavior change.
- Support self-efficacy: Most importantly, the therapist will guide you in believing you can achieve change, help you recognize your progress, and encourage commitment to the process through intrinsic motivation and change talk, a strategy the counselor uses to direct you in resolving ambivalence to recovery.
MET in the Addiction Treatment Process
Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) uses motivational interviewing (MI) in a clinical fashion and comes with a personalized assessment, recommendations, and well-sorted plans. Before incorporating motivational enhancement therapy in a client’s treatment plan, our MET therapists perform an initial assessment to gather background knowledge, awareness levels, and goals. Often the first session will utilize motivational interviewing techniques to determine your engagement levels with the idea of developing ambivalence in less-motivated clients. The second session and later sessions will build upon themes discussed in the initial assessment, uncover underlying causes, and provide coping strategies.
At Malibu Detox, we use this drug addiction treatment to effectively treat substance use disorders in patients with low motivation. While motivational enhancement therapy is not typically a stand-alone treatment, it is effective when combined with other treatment modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and different approaches like support groups and experiential therapies.
Motivational enhancement therapy with motivational interviewing has been found to be superior to standard group treatment in decreasing drug use, alcohol problems, and other forms of addiction, as well as remaining in treatment. This collaborative and client-centered approach can support people in enhancing motivation to make healthier choices and changes to the patterns of their substance use.
The Benefits of MET
The most notable benefit of motivational enhancement therapy is that it can build self-confidence and trust in yourself. It often enables participants to take accountability for their actions and shows them that they have the power to change their life for the better.
In addition, motivational enhancement therapy may prepare you to become more receptive to treatment methods and reduce the risk of future relapse. With a feeling of empowerment and self-efficacy, the therapist and participant work together to build motivation and believe that recovery is truly possible.
Recover From Drug and Alcohol Abuse with Malibu Detox
This therapeutic approach can serve as a catalyst for meaningful transformations, ultimately helping individuals achieve sustainable, long-term health and recovery. If you are struggling with substance use disorders, we’re here to help. Malibu Detox offers comprehensive treatment modalities, including motivational enhancement therapy and motivational interviewing facilitated by licensed, certified therapists.
When you’re stuck in the cycle of addiction, you can experience hopelessness, isolation, and frustration. Reaching out for help and finding the right program for you is a major first step in your recovery journey. Whether you need detox, medication-assisted treatment, residential treatment, dual diagnosis treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, sober living, aftercare services, or treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, we can help. All substance abuse and mental health programs at our treatment facilities in Southern California include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, support groups, mental health services, and more.
Contact our Malibu, California, drug, and alcohol rehab and detox center today at (424) 234-2027 to discuss your personalized addiction treatment plan. We accept most major and private insurance plans and will work with you to navigate your coverage to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Our admissions staff looks forward to speaking with you.
Find Help Today
When you’re stuck in the cycle of addiction, you can experience hopelessness, isolation, and frustration. Reaching out for help and finding the right program for you is a major first step in your recovery journey. Whether you need detox, residential treatment, dual diagnosis treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient treatment, or treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, we can help. All drug rehab programs at our treatment centers include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy/family counseling, support groups, mental health services, and more.
Contact our Malibu, California, drug, and alcohol rehab and detox center today at (424) 234-2027 to discuss your personalized addiction treatment plan. We accept most major and private insurance plans and will work with you to navigate your coverage to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Our admissions staff looks forward to speaking with you.
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