Stages of Change (motivation)

Question 1

6 stages of Motivation to Change

Answer 1

Motivation: a state of readiness or eagerness to change

May flutuate over time, situation, and circumstance

1. Pre-contemplative Stage
2. Contemplative Stage
3. Determination
4. Action
5. Maintenance
6. Relapse Prevention Stage

​Therapist can influence motivation through these stages of change

Question 2

Pre-contemplative Stage

Answer 2

• They’re not considering change and may not see or admit problems with their addiction.
  
  1. Therapist’s motivational tasks:
  2. Raise doubt: increase client’s perceptions of risks/problems with current behavior
  3. Decrease desirability of current behaviour
  4. Build rapport
  5. Something to affirm (find)
  6. Ensure return of patient

Question 3

Contemplative Stage

Answer 3

• Considering change but are ambivalent about it ➡︎ waver from day to day, are easily influenced to go in either direction
• Therapist’s motivational tasks:
  
  1. Tip balance: evoke reasons to change & risks of not changing
  2. Strengthen self-efficacy for change
  3. Values clarification: highlight change may bring client in line with important values

Question 4

Determination/Preparation

Answer 4

• Also called preparation stage
• Patient decides to do something
• Therapist’s motivational task:
  
  1. Help client determine best course of action in seeking change

Question 5

Action

Answer 5

• There has been a recent change or an implemented plan of change
• Therapist’s motivational tasks:
  
  1. Focus on plan
  2. Help client take steps to change
  3. Deal with ongoing ambivalence
  4. Emphasise on action

Question 6

Maintenance

Answer 6

• Involves a commitment to long-term change, where change becomes habit, or part of lifestyle.
• Therapist’s motivational tasks
  
  1. Help the client identify/use relapse prevention strategies

Question 7

Relapse Prevention Stage

Answer 7

• Explores strategies to not return to earlier stages
• Therapist’s motivational tasks
  
  1. Help client renew processes of contemplation, determination, and action without becoming stuck or demoralized because of relapse
  2. Move away from shame to benefits