Stages of Change Theory

This study provides the discussion topic for the matching discussion in this unit. You will post your responses in the discussion activity.

Note: This study activity contains the second discussion topic for your group discussions this week.

In Chapter 8 of the Cormier text and Chapter 13 of the Pomerantz text, it is argued that psychotherapy is much more successful if the client is ready for change. This suggests that the therapist must be aware of the client's position with regard to change before implementing any interventions and that tailoring interventions to the client's stage of readiness can increase therapy effectiveness. It is important to not treat all clients as if they are in the action stage. Stages of change theory is apparent in the transtheoretical model presented by these authors and in motivational interviewing, another increasingly popular therapeutic approach.

For this discussion, read the following case study, and then address the discussion points.

Alice is a 24-year-old, single, African American female who self-referred to therapy. She presents with sadness, confusion, anxiety, and occasional anger in association with an ongoing romantic relationship. Alice and her boyfriend have broken up and reunited several times; each break-up has been preceded by her boyfriend physically abusing her, and each reunion has been the result of his apologizing and promising never to hurt her again. Alice is unsure what she wants. She wants both to stay with her boyfriend and to leave him permanently because of the pattern of abuse. She was in therapy before but left because she felt that her therapist was pressuring her to leave her boyfriend. She has come to therapy again for help with this situation.

Address the following:

• How does the stages of change model compare to your own preferred methods of psychotherapy with regard to the case scenario?
• Discuss how you would approach Alice, using your own psychotherapeutic approach.
• Apply the stages of change model to the case study provided by suggesting some interventions that might be effective with Alice.