Sometimes, all it takes is the right support to reignite your motivation.
What Is Motivational Enhancement Therapy?
Whether you’re trying to overcome substance use, past trauma, or depression, changing the way you think and act is commonly one of the most challenging parts of recovery. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is a therapeutic approach that uses focused intervention and counseling to help you build the motivation to make critical life changes. MET is often combined with other forms of counseling, and at its most effective, it helps you learn how to change your own thoughts and behaviors, rather than being told how to.
Benefits of Motivational Enhancement Therapy
- Increased motivation. Discover and strengthen your own personal reasons for change.
- Enhanced engagement. Active participation in your own treatment, not a passive process.
- A personalized approach. Tailored to your specific circumstances.
- Improved self-confidence. A stronger belief in your ability to make positive changes.
- Exploration of ambivalence. A safe space for mixed feelings about change.
- Goal setting. Collaborating on realistic recovery goals.
- A supportive environment. A non-judgmental, empathetic relationship with your therapist.
- Long-term recovery. Strategies built to be sustainable, not just effective short-term.
- Flexibility. Integrates easily with other therapeutic approaches.
- Better communication skills. Learning to express your needs and feelings clearly.
How the MET Process Works
- Initial meeting. You and your therapist get to know each other and establish trust.
- Discussing readiness. Evaluating your readiness to change and identifying personal motivations.
- Exploring feelings. Talking openly about mixed feelings regarding your behavior and desired changes.
- Setting goals together. Specific, realistic goals aligned with your own desires and circumstances.
- Building commitment. Reinforcing commitment with ongoing support and encouragement.
- Skill development. Learning new coping skills and strategies.
- Continuous feedback. Regular check-ins to adjust the plan as needed.
- Integration with other therapies. Combined with other treatment methods for a more complete approach.
What the Research Shows
In one study, people who received MET reported being abstinent from alcohol on roughly 35% of days at the start of treatment, rising to about 73% at 6 months, compared with a smaller increase, from about 35% to 59%, among those who didn’t receive MET. A 2021 study also found MET useful as a complementary treatment within an HIV-prevention intervention, helping increase safer behaviors and reduce alcohol use in certain populations. MET is frequently combined with other methods, such as CBT, to strengthen overall treatment effectiveness.
MET vs. Motivational Interviewing
MET and motivational interviewing (MI) share the same roots but work differently in practice. MET is a structured approach delivered over a defined, typically short number of sessions, assessing your readiness, exploring ambivalence, setting goals, and reinforcing commitment within that set course. MI is an ongoing conversational style that can recur throughout the entire length of treatment as your motivation and goals evolve. Many treatment plans use MET’s structured sessions early on to build momentum, then continue with MI-style conversations throughout the rest of care.
Who We Support With MET
MET is part of how we support treatment for alcohol, opioid, benzodiazepine, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, prescription drug, marijuana, and polysubstance addiction, helping you articulate your own reasons for change, whatever substance is involved.
Does Insurance Cover MET?
Many private plans cover medically necessary treatment, though deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and authorization requirements vary by plan. We work with most major insurers and verify your benefits for free; checking doesn’t commit you to treatment.
What the Admission Process Looks Like
It starts with an initial consultation evaluating your needs and goals. From there, our admissions team handles the paperwork and coordinates with your insurance provider.
Finding MET Near Boston
We’re located at 322 Reservoir Street, Needham, MA 02494, serving Waltham, Dedham, Newton, and Boston. Call (877) 920-6583, or verify your insurance online.
Frequently asked questions
What is Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)?
It's a structured, short-term approach that helps you identify and strengthen your own motivation for change through a handful of focused sessions, assessing readiness, exploring mixed feelings, and setting concrete goals.
Is MET effective for both addiction and mental health?
Primarily, MET is used for alcohol and substance use disorders, though it's also been studied as a complementary approach in related behavioral-health interventions.
Do clients from Waltham and Dedham use GBAC's MET program?
Yes. We're based in Needham, MA, and see clients from across the area, including Waltham, Dedham, Newton, and Boston.
How does MET differ from Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational interviewing is an ongoing conversational style woven throughout treatment. MET is a shorter, more structured technique, typically delivered over just a few sessions, often used earlier in treatment to build initial momentum.
Is MET covered by insurance in Massachusetts?
Many private plans cover medically necessary treatment, though deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and authorization requirements vary by plan. We verify your benefits for free before you commit to anything.