Motivational enhancement therapy

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Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a time-limited, four-session adaptation used in Project MATCH, a US-government-funded study of treatment for alcohol problems, and the "Drinkers' Check-up", which provides normative-based feedback and explores client motivation to change in light of the feedback. It is a development of motivational interviewing and motivational therapy. It focuses on the treatment of alcohol and other substance use disorders. The goal of the therapy is not to guide the patient through the recovery process, but to invoke inwardly motivated change through motivational strategies.^[1] The method has two elements: initial assessment battery session, and two to four individual therapeutic sessions with a therapist. During the first session, the specialist stimulates discussion on the patient's experiences with substance use disorder and elicits self-motivational statements by providing feedback to the initial assessment. The principles of MET are utilized to increase motivation and develop a plan for further change; coping strategies are also presented and talked over with the patient. Changes in the patients behavior are monitored and cessation strategies used are reviewed by the therapist in the subsequent sessions, where patients are encouraged to sustain abstinence and progress.^[2]

Motivational enhancement therapy is effective in helping adolescents because it focuses on the relationship of the counselor and the counselee. The most effective way to integrate this form of therapy is by light guidance directed to the intrinsic desire of the individual to change. Most adolescents will not trust their counselors which is why it is important to develop this relationship. By providing an environment that is receptive to change, a counselee can find this intrinsic motivation. A unique aspect of motivational enhancement therapy is that it is uniquely tailored to support adolescents that struggle with substance abuse by matching their attributes and readiness/willingness to change.[1]

Affective change is  how someone who is experiencing an insight of a solution. These moments can build confidence and have a positive effect on the person. Affective deals with changes in epistemic emotions. In order to invoke a change we need to have some sort of satisfaction in doing the change. Change can affect us emotionally and physically.

Motivational change can have a change in beliefs and attitudes, thus if you set your mind to it you can change the behavior. Satisfaction of a change is to have a renewed factory of oneself. Using statistical modeling we can improve our motivation to change our lives. Self-regulation explains the quality of progress towards a goal.  Making small steps towards a goal will have a self of achievement as the progress is being made. This effort being made can have a positive feeling towards that goal.

Problem finding moments usually leads to moments that are able to find a solution. This is included because as we try to change our behavior there will be moments that are problematic and when we find a solution to that problem. We will learn about how to get to that certain goal with a different way of looking at how to reach a goal.^[3]