Which of the following are part of the maintenance stage of the stages of change model?

When life requires a change in directions, sometimes it feels frightening. Changing can be uncomfortable and confusing. Even with a clear goal, the path forward may be hazy. The journey is often difficult and slow and sometimes requires professional help. Clinicians understand this and are trained to help their clients reach their goals by carefully navigating the stages of change. However, counselors need to tailor their assistance to their client's needs, so it's crucial to recognize what stage of change clients are in before deciding how to successfully guide them.

Keep reading to learn more about DiClemente and Prochaska's Stages of Change, one of the most widely adopted models for helping clients make lasting behavioral change. Comprehending the change process, assessing a client's readiness to change and proposing effective ways to achieve change are the primary objectives of the Stages of Change model.1

During a smoking cessation study in 1983, researchers James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente identified and developed their Stages of Change as one of the three components in their Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change, also known simply as TTM. TTM describes the process of change, stages of change and methods of measuring change.1

Five official stages are described in DiClemente and Prochaska's Stages of Change Model, including pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance. An unofficial 6th stage, relapse, is popularly included because occasional slips are inevitable in the change process.1

The Stages of Change Model was originally used to help people overcome addictions and problematic behaviors such as alcohol or drug abuse, overeating and smoking.2 However, it is now the "standard-bearer" for change therapy and is also applicable for school bullying, condom use, sunscreen use, exercise adoption and other preventative health measures such as cancer screening and mammography.3

Exploring the Six Stages of Change

The following paragraphs explore each of the 6 stages of change. Assessment clues are provided, as well as some effective interventions appropriate to each stage.

1. Pre-Contemplation

Intervention strategies include listening actively, expressing empathy and accepting the client's resistance rather than opposing it. Personalized tasks may include asking clients to reconsider their behavior by analyzing the risks of their actions and identifying any benefits of changing.3,4

2. Contemplation

Instilling hope in the client's ability to proceed is a crucial form of support in this stage.1 Effective interventions may include asking about a client's beliefs to help gain a deeper understanding of their behavior.3 Asking about possible barriers to change may also be helpful. Clients may gain a stronger sense of purpose by asking them to weigh the pros and cons of present behavior as well as the pros and cons of changing.2,4

3. Preparation

Setting small, achievable goals is critical for clients in this stage. Strategic tasks may include identifying resources, supports and skills the client may draw on and then help the client create a plan to attain them. Encourage the client's self-efficacy and commitment to change.1 Clients also need help realistically assessing their level of difficulty during this stage. Considering potential problems and pitfalls can help clients determine solutions and prepare for difficulties ahead of time.2

4. Action

As clients become more active, clinicians take on less active roles. The intervention strategies in this stage include periodic reviews of client motivations, resources, progress and enthusiastically praising success. Then, as clients gain greater confidence and ability, counselors provide additional support, advice and guidance only as needed.1,3

5. Maintenance

Continuing more as a consultant, the counselor provides advice, guidance and support to clients in the maintenance stage only as needed. People typically remain in this stage for up to 5 years as confidence in sustaining their new lifestyle increases and fear of relapse decreases.3 Interventions during this stage may include helping clients recognize how overconfidence sometimes leads to relapse. It's also important to promote the mindset that a potential relapse is only a minor setback, not a devastating failure.1

6. Relapse

Intervention strategies and tasks include de-stigmatizing and normalizing the notion of relapse, helping the client identify the cause and devising a plan to avoid this trigger in the future. Rebuilding the client's confidence may require restarting the process of change at an earlier stage, such as contemplation, preparation or action.4

The keys to success in the relapse stage are helping clients reassess their supports and skills and reaffirm their commitment to their goals. The learning opportunity gained by a relapse very often strengthens a client's resolve and improves the chances for a lifelong change.2,4

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1. Retrieved on April 22, 2021, from socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/2009/10/prochaska-and-diclementes-stages-of.html
2. Retrieved on April 22, 2021, from psychcentral.com/lib/stages-of-change
3. Retrieved on April 22, 2021, from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556005/
4. Retrieved on April 22, 2021, from verywellmind.com/the-stages-of-change-2794868