Motivational intervention is described as a directive, patient-centered counseling style that enhances motivation for change by helping patients clarify and resolve ambivalence about behavior change. This type of therapy helps patients refocus on their goals in life and restructure the important things in their life.

At the core of counseling and psychotherapy is the issue of motivation or volition, presumably because positive and lasting results most likely occur when a client becomes actively engaged and personally invested in change (Overholser, 2005; Ryan & Deci, 2008).

Cognitive behavioral therapy offers an effective treatment for low motivation. It involves a combination of changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behavioral patterns. These changes result in both increased motivation and increased accomplishment.