Motivational enhancement therapy is a form of counseling that is frequently used in a rehab program. Counselors use various listening and feedback techniques designed to help the client find the motivation that he needs to effect a change from an addictive lifestyle to a drug- or alcohol-free lifestyle. From there, the counselor guides the client in implementing plans and guidelines which will allow for that change to occur.
Although motivational enhancement therapy sessions do occur with a drug rehab program counselor present, it is essentially the client that does the majority of the “work”. The counselor encourages this by asking questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes," “no,” or other one-word answer, but rather requires the client to explore the question, his reaction, and ultimately his response to the question in greater depth.
The counselor then carefully listens to the client’s responses, and then relays to the client his understanding of what has been said by either paraphrasing the client’s responses, or providing other positive feedback to ensure the client that the counselor is indeed listening. This communication between the client and the rehab program counselor continues over a period of time; each session usually lasts one hour.
Over the course of the motivational enhancement therapy treatment, the client is allowed to express any concerns he may have relating his ability to make positive changes in his life. The counselor provides support and feedback designed to encourage the client to think positively and believe in himself. Counselors are trained not to respond to clients if they become defensive or deny that a problem or need for change exists. Rather, they are taught to simply guide the session in another direction that is more supportive and will ultimately produce better results as the client continues in the drug rehab program.
At G&G Holistic Drug Rehab, our counselors are well-trained in motivational enhancement therapy as it relates to a rehab program. By visiting our website at http://www.holisticdrugrehab.com/ or calling 1-800-559-9503, you can learn more about our programs and how we incorporate motivational enhancement therapy into them.
