Motivational Enhancement Therapy In Denver, Colorado

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

• Express empathy – Create a supportive environment to make clients feel accepted and respected while engaging in reflective listening rather than confrontation.
• Develop discrepancy – Direct attention toward clients’ desired and actual states of being to recognize how current behaviors detract from achieving goals.
• Avoid argumentation – Steer clear of debating with clients about their SUDs or conduct because this may lead to defensiveness and pushback.
• Accept resistance – Diffuse resistance through reflective listening or simply going along with what clients say 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 change, the MET therapist assumes that clients have the resources needed for change and helps them implement these resources to affect the desired outcome.