Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious for anxiety disorders and depression, but not all patients achieve remission, and dropout is considerable. Motivational interviewing (MI) may strengthen motivation to change, and influence non-response and dropout. Research shows that MI as a pretreatment to CBT produces moderate effects compared to CBT alone. Studies integrating MI with CBT (MI-CBT) throughout treatment are scarce. The present study explored the feasibility of MI-CBT in routine psychiatric care, and compared CBT alone to MI-CBT for anxiety disorders, depression, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. The Anxiety, Depression, Diet, Alcohol, Physical activity, and Tobacco (ADDAPT) feasibility study had a randomized controlled design, and data were analyzed using hierarchical regression.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• A principal diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) of panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or major depressive disorder
• At least one of the following unhealthy lifestyle behaviors: unhealthy eating habits, hazardous use of alcohol, insufficient physical activity, or tobacco use, according to screening criteria suggested by the National Board of Health and Welfare

Exclusion Criteria:

• Psychotic symptoms
• DSM-IV-TR criteria for substance abuse other than alcohol
• DSM-IV-TR criteria for substance dependence including alcohol
• Moderate to severe suicide risk according to the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview or a score of 2 or above on item 9 on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9
• Another simultaneous psychological treatment