Stages of Change
Stage IV: Action
Defining Characteristic: Begins to implement the solution or plan. Motivational Tasks:Help client take steps toward change. Support initial steps towards change, provide corrective feedback.
Stage V: Maintenance
Defining Characteristic: Develops new behaviors to maintain changes and solution. Motivational Tasks: Help client identify & use strategies to prevent relapse; support success; and reinforce motivation & self-efficacy.
Stage I: Pre-contemplation
Defining Characteristic: No awareness of problem or intention to make a change. Motivational Tasks: raise doubt and provide info to increase client's perception of risks and problems with current behavior
Stage II: Comtemplation
Defining Characteristic: Ambivalence about change. Motivational Tasks: Tip the balance. Evoke questions about making a change & discuss risks of not changing; strengthen the client's self-efficacy to change current behavior, but no action.
Stage III: Preparation
Defining Characteristic: Window of opportunity when a client considers change & develops a commitment to action. Motivational Tasks: Help client determine the best course of action to take in seeking change. Focus on small but meaningful steps.
Stage VI: Relapse
Defining Characteristics: Resumption of problem: normal & expected. Likely to abandon change if demoralized. Motivational Tasks: Help client renew process of contemplation, determination, and action, without becoming stuck or demoralized because of relapse.
