Pre-contemplation

Goal for Intervention: Encourage and assist clients to learn more about their health and understand more about their particular health risks. 

Potential Intervention

• advise that you are concerned
• begin a supportive interaction
• increase awareness of risk
• encourage critical thinking about current behaviour
• foster belief that people are able to change

Contemplation

Goal for Intervention: Assist clients to examine the pros and cons of changing behaviour and to have the confidence to try.

Potential Intervention

• provide information
• emphasize benefits of changing behaviour
• inquire about reasons for change
• examine concerns and barriers to change
• offer possible solutions
• foster a positive belief in ability to change

Preparation

(Planning to change in next 4 weeks)

Goal for Intervention: Assist clients to replace one behaviour with a new, healthier approach. 

Potential Intervention

• assist client to verbalize a plan which includes a specific start or quit date
• encourage client to consider family or peer support
• discuss what has worked and not worked in the past
• encourage client to avoid, change or remove cues that trigger the risk behaviour
• normalize relapse as part of the process – relapse is a learning experience
• focus on benefit most meaningful to client
• encourage client’s efforts

Action

Goal for Intervention: Assist clients to set and meet daily goals. 

Potential  Intervention

• compliment client’s accomplishments and decision to change
• encourage client to reward self
• emphasize benefits
• discuss what is working and what temptations or barriers are present
• promote self-confidence
• normalize relapse as part of the process – relapse is a learning experience.

Maintenance

Goal for Intervention: Assist client to retain the new behaviour. 

Potential Intervention

• support feelings of accomplishment
• encourage awareness of triggers and pitfalls
• emphasize the importance of continuing to reward self

Relapse

Goal for Intervention: Assist client to see relapse as a normal part of the change process, and encourage new attempt. 

Potential Intervention

• normalize relapse 
• emphasize benefits that were gained
• discuss reasons for relapse and counter strategies for next try
• reassess client’s current stage of change and intervene accordingly at next contact