Readiness For Change

Readiness For Change

A crucial determinant of whether a client will be able to change during therapy is their degree of readiness.

One of the most commonly used ideas in the world of therapy is the Stages of Change model, which describes five stages that a client must progress through, in order to reach the desired goal.

One of the jobs of the therapist is to understand ‘where the client is at’ right now, and gently help nudge them along to the next stage.

Although the process is often conceptualised as a ladder, I prefer to think of it as a circle.

If a client ‘slips back’ to a previous level on a ladder, the temptation is to think that looks pretty bad. But the truth is, relapses can be part of the process. Good therapists understand they don’t necessarily indicate failure. Thinking of the client on a continuous journey, like a circle, helps to avoid unhelpful thoughts about ‘slipping back’.

On the contrary, a relapse is an opportunity for me to help the client develop new skills and resources, in order that in future they can maintain their new behaviour.