What is "Motivational Enhancement Therapy"?

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is designed to facilitate and enhance an individual's motivation to change specific behaviors, especially in the context of addiction and recovery. This therapeutic approach is rooted in the understanding that many individuals may not be ready to change or may feel ambivalent about their current behaviors. MET employs a variety of techniques to help clients identify their personal reasons for change and encourages them to explore their own motivations, enhancing their commitment to the process.

Through empathetic engagement and collaboration, therapists utilizing MET help clients build confidence in their ability to make changes, setting the groundwork for further therapeutic interventions. The focus is not on confrontation or imposing external goals but rather on enabling clients to articulate their desires and resolve ambivalence regarding behaviors they seek to change. As a result, MET is particularly effective in a range of clinical settings, not limited to group counseling, and is not focused on punitive measures or pharmacological methods.