The Role of Motivational Enhancement Therapy in Rehab

Introduction

Often the most effective form of positive change an individual can implement is from within themselves. Mental health professionals know this, so they use Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) to evoke change in individuals suffering from addiction.

By using this form of therapy in rehab, addicts learn ways to change their thoughts and behavior to improve their quality of life.

What Is Motivational Enhancement Therapy

MET is a psychoanalytic approach to therapy that focuses on increasing motivation by setting realistic and measurable goals in the treatment plan. It makes one aware that they can change their perception and thinking regarding a mental disorder to help in treatment.

One key thing to note about motivation enhancement is that it utilizes an approach based on evidence collected during an interview. Motivational Interviewing (MI) involves the collection of facts about an individual to help them start the MET process.

MET takes several weeks of restructuring and rewiring the patient’s brain using self-motivation as the main form of change.

How a Rehab Implements Motivational Enhancement Therapy

Therapists implement MET in four simple strategies that ensure change comes from within an individual. For example, the rehab in Tucson applies the following MET strategies:

• Boosting an individual’s self-efficacy – For the therapy to work, an addict must believe in their capacity to execute and achieve their plans and goals. Psychologists will use MET to make an addict aware that they can overcome their addiction.
• Development of empathy – The mental health professionals in rehab encourage addicts to be aware of the consequences of their actions on others. When they’re empathic, they’re more likely to use it as a motivation for positive behavioral change.
• Making an individual aware of their treatment progress – Motivation to change may result from recognizing the difference between their thoughts and reality concerning achieving their goals in rehab.
• Respecting differences – As a way of implementing MET, rehab therapists strive not to argue with patients about the course of treatment. Doing this makes the patient more inclined to positive change without necessarily forcing them.

The Benefits of Applying Motivational Enhancement Therapy in Rehab

The following are the benefits patients get in a rehab that applies MET in its treatment programs:

• It helps treat comorbid disorders – Due to chemical imbalances in the brain, disorders like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may arise. As the rehab treats a patient for the main disorder, they may also add MET to treat the co-occurring disorders.
• It’s brief – It usually takes about six weeks worth of sessions, meaning it isn’t laborious to the therapist or the individual with the mental disorder.
• It’s collaborative – MET enhances the patient’s involvement in the treatment plan. The change process begins and ends with the patient; the therapist is merely a guide. It’s also easy for the therapist to set individualized sessions unique to each individual.
• It reduces defiance to change – Most people don’t welcome the idea of change. MET helps ease the resistance and any ambivalent notions an individual might have about the treatment process.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Other Forms of Therapy

The role of MET in rehab is that of a complementary method of therapy. Mental health professionals will often use it as part of the treatment program in conjunction with other forms of therapy.

When used with other mental disorder treatment plans, its success rate is also high because it fully involves the affected individual. The drive to change behavior and maintain it such that there’s no relapse originates from the individual.

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.