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Motivational Enhancement Therapy: How It Works & What to Expect

Published: October 27, 2021 Updated: November 25, 2022
Published: 10/27/2021 Updated: 11/25/2022
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Benjamin Troy

MD
  • What Is Motivational Enhancement Therapy?Definition
  • Motivational Enhancement Therapy TechniquesTechniques
  • What Can Motivational Enhancement Therapy Help With?What It Helps
  • Cost of Motivational Enhancement TherapyCost
  • How to Find a Motivational Enhancement TherapistHow to Find
  • Final Thoughts on Motivational Enhancement TherapyConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Benjamin Troy

MD

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a brief therapeutic approach that uses a client-centered lens to improve the client’s drive and motivation for personal change. It’s effective for those who participate in high-risk behaviors like drug and alcohol abuse or those who have a history of drug addiction and alcoholism. It’s often used in conjunction with other therapy modalities.

Connect with a therapist that specializes in motivational enhancement therapy. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

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What Is Motivational Enhancement Therapy?

MET is a form of therapy therapy that helps clients work through their desire and commitment to engage in therapy, removing the barriers that drive the motivation for change. It’s a fast-paced approach aimed at rapid change so clients have the internal motivation for ongoing change. MET is brief and lasts no more than 5-6 sessions.1

The core concept of MET is the use of negotiation instead of conflict. Negotiation is non-threatening and helps clients explore and address their ambivalence about changing their behavior without making them more resistant. It aims to help them tap into what may drive intrinsic behavioral change. A collaborative relationship between therapist and client is central to the success of MET.2

What’s the Goal of Motivational Enhancement Therapy?

The goal of MET is to overcome resistance to changing someone’s own behavior. The focus is on helping the client increase their level of motivation by supporting them on their journey to self-awareness and helping them label feelings, combat any cognitive distortions, and problem solve.4

5 Motivational Enhancement Therapy Techniques

Motivational enhancement therapy techniques include the development of empathy, acknowledging people’s perspective and perceptions, avoiding conflict, normalizing resistance, and practicing client-centered support.

Here are five MET techniques:

1. Empathy Development

Clients working with a MET therapist often learn new ways to express and develop empathy by becoming aware of how their actions impact others. The awareness itself can be a way to motivate the client to change their behaviors or want to learn how they can change. Developing these skills and awareness also helps to support the relationship with the therapist, which is critical for those who lack motivation.

2. Understanding Thoughts vs. Reality

Clients in any form of therapy tend to experience some form of cognitive distortions or resistance to therapy. Learning to acknowledge that how they feel and think isn’t based in  fact can help them accept that they may want to change.

3. Not Engaging in Arguments

MET therapists will not engage in arguments about their clients’ risky behaviors. Clients are accepted for where they are in their journey and the therapist looks for ways to focus on positive behaviors and drive motivation from that.

4. Normalizing Resistance

For those considering treatment, resistance and hesitancy are normal. The more we acknowledge this, the less we find ourselves wanting to argue and fight resistance. Working through it and exploring what it means helps clients understand what their goals are and how to attain them.

5. Self-Efficacy

It’s important that clients have self-determination and faith in their ability to change. MET supports that philosophy and helps clients overcome their barriers so they can reach their goals.3

Help For Addiction

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Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Ria Health, Talkiatry,  and Sunnyside.

What Can Motivational Enhancement Therapy Help With?

MET can help with a myriad of issues, including drug and alcohol abuse, risky behaviors, addictions, trauma related issues, eating disorders, and anxiety conditions. MET has been known to help clients reach a place where they’re more ready to end risky behaviors; this is especially helpful for those with addictions or obsessive/intrusive thoughts and behaviors.

Those with a high level of resistance have been shown to benefit greatly from MET due to its emphasis on non-judgement and digging to the root of what drives that person’s change. MET can also help reduce the likelihood of developing one or more other mental health issues.

MET can help with these conditions:

  • Addiction
  • Eating disorders
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Bipolar disorders

Cost of Motivational Enhancement Therapy

In most cases, MET will be covered by health insurance. There is usually a copay for mental health services that can range from $40-$100+. Looking for “in-network” providers may be a way to help manage the out-of-pocket costs with copays.

In situations where health insurance doesn’t cover MET (e.g., if you’re going to an out-of-network therapist) each session can range from $60-$200 per hour/per session. It’s important to consider therapists and practices that offer sliding scale prices if you don’t have insurance.

How to Find a Motivational Enhancement Therapist

Ways to find a MET therapist include searching online and reviewing your list of in-network providers. Start by looking through profiles, narrowing down your list, and contacting a few individuals for initial questions. Many therapists offer a free phone consultation that gives someone an opportunity to evaluate whether or not they’re a good match.

Any type of mental health clinician is able to practice MET as long as they have experience. While there isn’t a specific MET certification or credential, there are continuing education credits and workshops therapists can enroll in.

10 Questions to Ask a Motivational Enhancement Therapist

When considering a potential therapist, ask these questions:

  1. What is motivational enhancement therapy?
  2. What is your experience with MET?
  3. How might this help my family with my issues?
  4. How long will we have to be coming in for therapy?
  5. How do we know if we’re making progress?
  6. Can couples and families come or is this just for individuals?
  7. Do you use other therapy modalities with MET?
  8. Will I need a new therapist once we are done with MET or can I keep seeing you?
  9. Do we have homework?
  10. What if MET doesn’t help me?

Final Thoughts on Motivational Enhancement Therapy

If you’re dealing with substance abuse, addiction, mood disorders, or any risky behavioral issues, motivational enhancement therapy might be really helpful to overcome these issues. It’s a client-centered approach that promotes empathy and understanding and avoids conflict. Start your search for a therapist today on an online directory.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Online Therapy 

BetterHelp – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy.  Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Online Psychiatry

Hims / Hers – If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Get FDA approved medication prescribed by your dedicated Hims / Hers Healthcare Provider and delivered right to your door. Plans start at $25 per month (first month)*. Get Started

Medication + Therapy

Brightside Health – Together, medication and therapy can help you feel like yourself, faster. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. United Healthcare, Anthem, Cigna, and Aetna accepted. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment

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Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty,  experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Hims / Hers, Brightside, and BetterHelp. *Hims / Hers Disclaimer: Subscription required. After first month, price is $85/month for a monthly subscription or $49/month for a three-month subscription ($123 for first order, $147 billed quarterly thereafter). Subscription automatically renews unless you cancel at least 7 days before renewal is processed.

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
4 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Blevins, C. E., Walker, D. D., Stephens, R. S., Banes, K. E., & Roffman, R. A. (2018). Changing social norms: The impact of normative feedback included in motivational enhancement therapy on cannabis outcomes among heavy-using adolescents. Addictive behaviors, 76, 270-274.

  • Cummins, D. M., & Tobian, R. (2018). Motivational enhancement therapy for veterans with chronic pain and substance use. Health & social work.

  • Coriale, G., De Rosa, F., Battagliese, G., Gencarelli, S., Fiore, M., Ferraguti, G., & Attilia, M. L. (2019). Motivational enhancement therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy in a cohort of men and women with alcohol use disorder. Biomedical Reviews, 30, 125-135.

  • Cathey, K. (2020). The Benefits of Motivational Enhancement Therapy for Substance Abuse Users.

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Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Benjamin Troy

MD
  • What Is Motivational Enhancement Therapy?Definition
  • Motivational Enhancement Therapy TechniquesTechniques
  • What Can Motivational Enhancement Therapy Help With?What It Helps
  • Cost of Motivational Enhancement TherapyCost
  • How to Find a Motivational Enhancement TherapistHow to Find
  • Final Thoughts on Motivational Enhancement TherapyConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
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