Old Age Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is based on principles of motivational psychology and is designed to produce rapid, internally motivated change. The MET approach begins with the assumption that the responsibility and capability for change lie within the client. The therapist’s task is to create a set of conditions that will enhance the client’s own motivation for and commitment to change. Rather than relying upon therapy sessions as the primary locus of change, the therapist seeks to mobilize the client’s inner resources as well as those inherent in the client’s natural helping relationships. MET consists of four carefully planned and individualized treatment sessions. The first two sessions focus on structured feedback from the initial assessment, future plans, and motivation for change. The final two sessions at the midpoint and end of treatment provide opportunities for the therapist to reinforce progress, encourage reassessment, and provide an objective perspective on the process of change. Due to the its brief nature, it may be particularly useful in situations where contact with clients is limited to few or infrequent. Treatment outcome research strongly supports MET strategies as effective in producing change in substance abuse clients.