title: Comparison of motivational interviewing with acceptance and commitment therapy: a conceptual and clinical review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are two emerging therapies that focus on commitment to behavior change.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to provide the first systematic comparison of MI with ACT.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bricker
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tollison
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001364:Awareness; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D004644:Emotions; D006808:Humanism; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods*; D009042:Motivation; D009629:Person-Centered Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010684:Philosophy; D011340:Problem Solving; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012649:Self Concept; D012945:Social Values