Example Script | When the client is in the precontemplation stage

Question 1

Validate the patient’s experience:

Answer 1

“I can understand why you feel that way.”

Question 2

. Acknowledge the patient’s control of the decision:

Answer 2

It’s up to you to decide if and when you are ready to make lifestyle changes.”

Question 3

Explore potential concerns:

Answer 3

“Can you imagine how your current career/anger/etc patterns might cause
problems in the future?”

Question 4

Acknowledge possible feelings of being pressured:

Answer 4

It can be hard to initiate changes in your life when you feel pressured by others. I want to thank you for talking with me about this today.”

Question 5

Validate that they are not ready:

Answer 5

“I hear you saying that you are not ready to change your career/anger/etc patterns right now.”

Question 6

Restate your position that it is up to them:

Answer 6

“It’s totally up to you to decide if there are changes you want to make right
now.”

Question 7

Encourage reframing of current state of change–the potential beginning of
a change rather than a decision never to change:

Answer 7

“Everyone who’s ever made career/anger/xxx changes starts right where you are now; they start by seeing the reasons where they might want to make changes. And that’s what I’ve been talking to you about.”