Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behavior. Motivation involves social, emotional, biological, and cognitive forces that activate behavior. Understanding what lies behind the motivations that make us act is the basis of many different theories of motivation, including instinct theory, drive theory, and humanistic theory. Motivational enhancement theory (MET) motivates individuals to face damaging behaviors and change. MET as part of comprehensive mental health treatment programs is an effective way to help individuals with mental health and co-occurring disorders improve their lives by learning how to make behavioral changes.

Harmony Hills is a residential mental health treatment center. On our 80-acre rural campus outside of Tampa, Florida, we provide an array of mental health treatment programs and therapeutic approaches customized to meet each client’s unique needs. Reach out to our team at 855.494.0357 to learn about our comprehensive approach to mental health treatment.

What is Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)?

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) began with a clinical trial in 1993. It is based on the principles of motivational psychology and includes methods related to motivational interviewing (MI). Individuals who engage in self-destructive behaviors are often ambivalent about or have little motivation to change these behaviors, despite the negative consequences they cause. The primary goal of MET is to help people overcome this ambivalence and resistance to change. Other goals include:

• Encourage self-awareness that change can occur.
• Foster inherent motivation by increasing awareness of the destructive behavior.
• Regulate overwhelming thoughts about destructive behavior.
• Encourage people to make positive statements about awareness of the destructive behavior.
• Encourage people to decide to change.

In MET, a trained therapist incorporates the style and techniques of MI into a structured therapeutic approach that involves a thorough assessment of the client’s behaviors and systematic feedback about them. Rather than identifying a problem and telling the client what to do about it, the therapist encourages the client to make self-motivating statements that demonstrate a clear understanding of the problem and a determination to change.

Understanding the Principles Behind a Motivational Enhancement Therapy Program

Although MET can be used as a stand-alone treatment, it is best utilized as a comprehensive mental health treatment plan component. MET can also be beneficial as a pretreatment to increase a client’s motivation to engage in other forms of therapy. MET is based on a set of principles designed to guide the therapist, including:

• Express empathy – Create a supportive environment to make the client feel accepted and respected while engaging in reflective listening rather than confrontation.
• Develop discrepancy – Direct attention toward the client’s desired state of being and the actual state of being to recognize how current behaviors detract from achieving goals.
• Roll with resistance – Diffuse resistance through reflective listening or simply going along with what the client says without confronting it.
• Support self-efficacy – Help clients develop an awareness of their ability to successfully undertake the actions needed for change.

MET is non-confrontational and nonjudgmental. Instead of teaching specific skills or guiding clients through a process of change, the MET therapist assumes that clients have the resources needed for change and helps them implement these resources to affect the desired outcome.

Contact Harmony Hills to Learn How You Can Benefit from MET in Tampa, Florida

Located outside Tampa, Florida, Harmony Hills is a residential mental health treatment center offering various therapies to foster recovery. In addition to motivational enhancement therapy (MET), we offer:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• EMDR therapy
• Trauma therapy
• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy

Reaching out for help is the first step toward recovery. Do not let the fear of the unknown prevent you from receiving the mental health treatment you deserve. Our team is available around the clock, seven days a week. Contact our team to answer your questions about treatment and how you can benefit from therapies like MET. Use our online form or call 855.494.0357.