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Comparison of Motivational Interviewing with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Conceptual and Clinical Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2011

Jonathan Bricker  and
Sean Tollison
Jonathan Bricker*
Affiliation:
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington, Seattle, USA
Sean Tollison
Affiliation:
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington, Seattle, USA
*
Reprint requests to Jonathan Bricker, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, PO Box 19024, M3-B232, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. E-mail: jbricker@u.washington.edu
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Abstract

Background: Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are two emerging therapies that focus on commitment to behavior change. Aim: The aim was to provide the first systematic comparison of MI with ACT. Method: A systematic comparison was undertaken of MI and ACT at the conceptual level, with a focus on their philosophical and theoretical bases, and at the clinical level, with a focus on the therapeutic relationship, use of language in therapy, and use of values in therapy. Results: Conceptually, MI and ACT have distinct philosophical bases. MI's theoretical basis focuses on language content, whereas ACT's theoretical basis focuses on language process. Clinically, ACT and MI have distinct approaches to the therapeutic relationship, fundamentally different foci on client language, and different uses of client values to motivate behavior change. ACT, but not MI, directly targets the willingness to experience thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Conclusions: Despite their conceptual and clinical differences, MI and ACT are complementary interventions. Collaborations between MI and ACT researchers may yield fruitful cross-fertilization research on core processes and clinical outcomes.

Keywords

Motivational InterviewingAcceptance and Commitment Therapyreviewprocessestreatment comparison
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 39 , Issue 5 , October 2011 , pp. 541 - 559
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2011

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