"IT ISN'T THAT WE CAN'T SEE THE SOLUTION. IT IS THAT WE
CAN'T SEE THE PROBLEM"
Precontemplators usually show up in therapy because of
pressures from othersÉ spouses, employers, parents, and courtsÉ Resist change.
When their problem comes up, they change the topic of conversation. They place
responsibility for their problems on factors such as genetic makeup, family,
society, destiny, the police, etc.
They feel the situation is HOPELESS .
"I WANT TO STOP FEELING SO STUCK"
Contemplators acknowledge that they have a problem and begin
to think about solving it.
Contemplators struggle to understand their problems, to see
its causes, and wonder about possible solutions. Many contemplators have
indefinite plans to take action within the next few months.
"YOU KNOW YOUR DESTINATION, AND EVEN HOW TO GET THERE,
BUT YOU ARE NOT READY TO GO YET"
It is not uncommon for contemplators to tell themselves that
some day they are going to change. When contemplators transition to the
preparation stage of change, their thinking is clearly marked by two changes.
First, they begin to think more about the future than the past.
The end of contemplation stage is a time of ANTICIPATION,
ACTIVITY, ANXIETY, and EXCITEMENT.
Most people in the preparation stage are planning to take
action and are making the final adjustments before they begin to change their
behavior. Have not yet resolved their AMBIVALENCE . Still need a little
convincing.
Stage where people overtly modify their behavior and their
surroundings. Make the move for which they have been preparing. Requires the
greatest commitment of time and energy.
CHANGE IS MORE VISIBLE TO OTHERS.
Change never ends with action. Without a strong commitment
to maintenance, there will surely be relapse, usually to precontemplation or
contemplation stage.
MOST SUCCESSFUL SELF-CHANGERS GO THROUGH THE STAGES THREE OR
FOUR TIMES BEFORE THEY MAKE IT THROUGH THE CYCLE OF CHANGE WITHOUT AT LEAST ONE
SLIP. MOST RETURN TO THE CONTEMPLATION STAGE OF CHANGE. SLIPS GIVE US THE
OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN