How Does Motivational Enhancement Therapy Work?

August 18, 2023

Harmony Place Team

Not everyone in treatment for addiction or co-occurring mental health disorders wants to make changes. They could be in treatment because others insisted upon it, such as loved ones after an intervention or due to legal issues. Without a personal drive to succeed in treatment, many clients struggle to make progress. That is where motivation enhancement therapy (MET) can help.

Harmony Place in Los Angeles, California, meets our clients where they are in recovery. Sometimes, even clients who are willing to enter treatment are still unwilling to make changes. And, our team is here will help them find the motivation they need to succeed in recovery.

What Is Motivational Enhancement Therapy?

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a counseling and intervention approach to help clients find the motivation to change. MET can be viewed as a preliminary to other approaches or as an enhancement of an existing treatment program.

The primary goal of MET is to help clients struggling with ambivalence to change. Once clients overcome their ambivalence, they can fully engage in the process. Thus, MET can be part of an intervention stage to get a person to realize that treatment can help them. It can also help when clients hit a rough patch in recovery and feel stagnant.

What Is Ambivalence to Change?

In recovery, ambivalence to change refers to having conflicting ideas about the treatment process itself. Clients feel ambivalence when they question their ability to change. They could also feel this way if they don’t feel they have a personal reason to put the work into their program.

Therefore, it is important that clients understand their own reasons for being in treatment. At times, they might need to re-evaluate their motivation throughout the recovery process.

The Process of Motivational Enhancement Therapy

MET isn’t a long-term therapy. It usually only takes about 4 sessions after an initial assessment. The assessment helps the therapist understand the client and why they are in treatment. After that, the first session focuses on discussing the assessment, as the therapist gives feedback to the client.

The following sessions focus on open-ended questions about the client’s behavior, goals, and thoughts about treatment. During this time, the therapist could also ask the client how other people view their behaviors. Oftentimes, a person in treatment is dealing with the consequences of how their behavior affected other people while not yet coming to terms with the problem itself.

Still, during MET, the therapist isn’t necessarily prescribing a particular treatment. Rather, the therapist is there to listen to the client to help them realize how treatment can help. Afterward, they could start to work on a change plan to continue therapy and pursue ongoing recovery.

MET doesn’t work by confronting the client. Rather, the therapist helps the client mobilize their intrinsic resources and motivation to change for the better. Therapists employ five techniques during this process.

What Are the 5 Techniques of Motivational Enhancement Therapy?

Throughout MET, a therapist will use the following therapeutic techniques:

#1. Express Empathy

Therapists approach the client with empathy and without judgment. Clients with an addiction or other problematic behaviors are often judged by others. However, many clients struggle with underlying issues, such as trauma, attachment issues, or co-occurring mental health disorders. In therapy, clients need to feel respected and acknowledged to make progress.

#2. Acknowledge Discrepancy

As a client begins expressing their goals, a therapist will acknowledge the discrepancy between the current behaviors and attaining the goals. Oftentimes, clients don’t understand how their problematic behaviors get in the way of their own goals.

#3. Avoid Arguments

As mentioned previously, MET is non-confrontational. The therapist is not there to shame or blame the client for their behaviors. Nor are they there to tell the client what to do. Instead, a therapist is there to listen without judgment.

#4. Accept Resistance

Change is hard. Almost every client will resist change at some point in their recovery. Still, many people get caught up trying to fight resistance and force themselves through treatment. While it might seem counterintuitive, accepting resistance helps to overcome it.

#5. Support Self-Efficacy

Some clients feel ambivalent to change because they don’t believe in their ability to do so. During MET, a therapist will help to notice and highlight the client’s strengths. This empowers clients to go through the hard work of recovery.

The Goals of Motivational Enhancement Therapy

Overall, the goals of MET are to overcome ambivalence, uncover a client’s motivation, empower a client to make positive changes, and move forward in recovery. Clients can benefit from MET when they feel unmotivated in treatment. In addition, clients in long-term recovery could benefit from MET by re-evaluating their motivation for change.

Find Your Motivation to Recover Today

Motivation to change is a crucial part of the recovery process. Clients enter treatment in various stages of change. Some clients in treatment understand they need to make changes, yet don’t feel motivated to do so. On the other hand, some clients don’t believe that treatment can help them.

Motivation enhancement therapy (MET) can help clients overcome their ambivalence to change in recovery. It can also help clients who don’t feel motivated to engage in addiction treatment and mental health treatment.

Contact Harmony Place today and discover the motivation to make positive changes in your life.

Harmony Place Can Check Your Insurance Coverage

Harmony Place, located in the vibrant heart of Los Angeles, California, is a distinguished drug and alcohol rehab center committed to fostering recovery and healing. We understand that navigating the financial aspects of treatment can be overwhelming, which is why we accept health insurance from a variety of providers. Our facility proudly accepts coverage from Anthem Blue Cross rehab coverage, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Shield of CA, Carelon, and Humana. This breadth of insurance acceptance underscores our commitment to ensuring that access to empathetic, professional, and comprehensive care is within reach for as many individuals as possible.

We warmly invite you to contact Harmony Place for a personalized assessment of your insurance benefits. Our expert team is ready to help you understand the specifics of your coverage and how it can support your journey to recovery. Taking this first step is a powerful act of self-care, and we’re here to guide you through every subsequent step with compassion and professionalism. Reach out to us today, and let’s explore together how your insurance can facilitate your path towards a healthier future.

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Chris P

I've been to 12 rehabs over the last 20 years and NO other place has touch like Harmony Place! From the owner right down to the cleaning lady, everyone here is kinda and warm. God has blessed this place and I feel privileged to have come through here. I recommend anyone who is going through their struggle with mental health or substance abuse to pick up the phone and come! You won't regret it!

Joseph S

This place is incredible, kind, loving, patient, rigorous, educative, caring and the best place for recovery. Ill be part of the alumni crew

Monica G

I had very good experience at Harmony Place From first day I came, staff was very kind and make me feel welcome and safe. Everyone was friendly and always try to help me. The therapists are very good and caring. They listen to me and help me understand my problems better. I learn many things from them and feel stronger because of their support. The nurses also very nice and professional. They always check on me and make sure I am okay. Food was good and facilities were clean and comfortable. It help me feel more relaxed and focus on my recovery. Management also doing very good job. Everything was organized and you can see they really care about patients. I am very thankful for this place and all the people who work here. I recommend this center to anyone who needs help.

Denton

Awesome place great people u want to check this place out most definitely 😜

Tyler

A treatment center where the owners truly care about your recovery and after care.. cannot recommend enough

Jodana S

If you want to detox painlessly this is the place! The staff is A1. They truly care about us. The groups are awesome . Residential is crazy awesome! You live in a mansion. With a private chef who makes the best food. Community meeting that gets results fast, they care about your opinions. Pool and Jacuzzi are beautiful. If your struggling with addiction this is the house you should come to. I LOVE HARMONY PLACE!!!!! Thank you to all the staff they go above and beyond to make this experience comfortable therapeutic. Don't spend another day in your addiction come to Harmony Place right now!

Cass

I’ve been to 4 treatment centers before Harmony Place, and I can tell you without a single doubt that this is the absolute best by FAR. The past ones were luxury Residential Treatment centers that just treated every single client the same not tailoring to each individual, and were basically just in it for the money, dropping the ball each time. I can also tell you that I’ve never met the CEOs, but here, David comes to the facility almost every single day, and makes sure he get to know every individual here. He is incredibly kind, and was even willing to transfer me to another facility with a higher level of trauma therapy due to me having a lifetime of trauma and PTSD that just is going to take a long time to tackle. He truly cares about all of the clients having all of the tools that we need before getting released to the real world. No more of other CEO would ever be willing to miss an opportunity at making more money and even paired with my IMPECCABLE case manager to find a different facility that was more trauma based. My case manager, Sam, goes absolutely above and beyond in every single aspect. She makes sure you have a smooth transition into aftercare, provides out of this world advice when it comes to sobriety, and takes the time out of her day to make sure that FMLA and short-term disability are completely taken care of during your stay. I’ve never met a case manager that could ever compare to Sam. Ever. I feel lucky to have met her, genuinely. Marissa, my therapist, is SO SWEET, actually listens to you, and provides advice and therapy tailored to each individual’s experience. She’s handled every mood I’ve been in, never judged me, and allowed me to feel safe enough to tell her things I’ve never told any person or therapist in my 29 years of life. I’ve been going to therapy for the past 15 years, and none of those therapists even come close to how amazing she is. I’ve been to 4 other treatment centers in my life and none even come close to Harmony Place. The facility is clean, organized, and high-end. I would recommend Harmony place to my family, friends, and anyone seeking treatment. I feel SO BLESSED to have landed in their hands. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THE CLINICAL STAFF BEYOND WORDS. I love you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I feel more confident than ever in my Recovery.

Gabe H

Where to begin.. Harmony is a place that will forever be a part of my story as the first step in my recovery journey. I’m so grateful for this program. The staff is very friendly, and many of them understand what addiction is like, for they themselves have recovery stories of their own. They have an awesome team of therapists, group facilitators, nurses, RA technicians, medical and health professionals, a wonderful case manager for aftercare that cares deeply for your next steps; making sure you are set up for success. They have a wonderful admissions team (shoutout to Marielle who was so kind and understanding of my messed up situation). Everyone is very relatable and friendly. They invest heavily in the importance of diet and nutrition too - there’s a full time professional chef. I gained all the weight I lost and wanted back in the first two weeks lol. On top of the intensive programming they do throughout the day, they take us out to experience various kinds of outside groups to get a taste of the real world, and also take us on social outings during the weekend. If you’re serious about getting better this place will meet you where you’re at and prepare you to launch with a renewed mind and heart.

Monica P

I can't begin to explain just how amazing Harmony Place is. In fact, when we sit down with the owner, Jeff, and clinical director, David, on Monday mornings to have a house meeting, they ask us what they could be doing better. A bigger blender for smoothies is the ONLY thing we could come up with. Let me begin by addressing some negative reviews. If you notice many of them are from people, or are referring to people who have been asked to leave. It is because of harmony places protection of their clients that provide ideal conditions for healing and progress. There is a screening process that it is implemented where they make sure the clients they admit are ready to start a life of sobriety. Some people slip through the cracks. Some people find out a few days or weeks in that they've changed their minds. Some are inappropriate and break rules. It happens. When Harmony Place ask people to leave, It's because they are protecting the people who are here that want treatment. In effect, they're providing exactly what I needed for a genuine start to recovery. When I began my search for a treatment center, my requirements were that the facility's provide an environment in which its residents all want to be there and that it is ethically ran. I got that and so much more at Harmony Place. As well as a structured routine, they also provide a confidential and nurturing environment where one feels safe and where profound healing can begin. Their program offers a sound foundation where further progress in sober living is almost guaranteed. In group meetings, we enjoy getting to know ourselves again and with deeper understanding about why we are the way we are. We are provided with skills to handle real life. Its here that I've come to understand that its not addiction that has driven me to make a mess of my life. It is the trauma that I endured and not processing it correctly that lead to poor thinking patterns that opened the door to addiction resulting in poor life management. So we start at the bottom. Trauma. They help us understand that trauma has led to our own toxicity, what that trauma looks like and how to get out of our own way. Process groups help us learn how to take accountability and foster healthier relationships. I learned here that changing the way I think is absolutely possible and imperative to the healing process. Harmony Place offered me hope when I previously felt I was unfixable and a support team that truly loves me. Even after I leave here, I have contacts that almost demand I keep in touch and an alumni meeting where I can return to the facility on Thursday nights. I wasn't a 12 stepper when I came here but my first experience with it was not one where I was ready to stop using. I understand now that the steps will work for me. It's certainly is not the only modality that they teach. In one group, we are provided an opportunity to sit with a recently retired medical doctor to just ask questions. Another is with a nutritionist. There are a handful of people IN recovery that come to lead groups that are all accredited highly specialized where I felt understood and not judged. The knowledge I have gained here is life changing. It is also versatile and relatable for all types of people. my favorite group was dialectical behavioral therapy. There are breathing classes and sound bath groups and I started doing yoga in the morning. There's a dharma meeting they take you offsite that focuses on Buddhist values. A fantastic onsight chef provides three meals and you can have special requests. We facilitated our own Movie nights during free time. I cant forget to mention you get your own one on one meetings with your assigned primary therapist and there is comprehensive medical support complete with 24/7 nurses and a doctor that shows up throughout the week. If this is what you need to recover and you have mediCAL, cancel your mediCAL and get insurance Harmony Place accepts if you can. There are people to help you with that as well. Just call. Many, many thanks to the staff. ✔️Another life changed.🙏

Cody B

This is such an amazing place truly changed my life. I would recommend this place to anybody if they’re looking for a strong recovery house that truly cares about your recovery and not about just money So if you’re ready to change your life, don’t miss out on the greatness of harmony because this place is where it’s at