Since this whole COVID-19 Pandemic, I have had several clients that I work with discussing the changes they feel they are going to make as a result of having gained some insight since this experience. I heard one mom state that she was never going to be the same, and that she was going to always have a stocked closet of toilet paper! For some, it has been a time to slow down and increase self-care. For others, it has been eye-opening to spend more time with their family members and realize what changes they need to make as a result. Regardless of what your experience has been, it is likely that you will have a desire to make some sort of change. With this being a hot topic right now, I figured it was a good idea to write a blog focusing on the stages of change.
I learned about he stages of change when I was working with adults in a substance abuse program, and the developers of this theory or application are Carlo C. DiClemente and J.O. Prochaska. And, even though the concept is mostly used in substance abuse treatment, it can be applied to other areas where one wants to see change. These are the stages of change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation/determination, action, maintenance, and relapse/recurrence. In precontemplation, the individual is not yet willing to or unable to make a change. Then, in contemplation, the individual is able to see the possibility of change but is somewhat ambivalent about it. During preparation/determination, the individual becomes committed to changing even though still considering what needs to be done. An individual in the action stage would be taking steps towards change but not yet having mastered the change itself. In the maintenance stage, the individual, has achieved their goals to change and is striving to maintain that change. Lastly, an individual will face either graduation/termination or possibly a relapse/recurrence. It is obvious that at the graduation/termination stage, the individual has achieved their goal long term and has had no recurrence in the behavior or symptoms. Then, in the relapse/recurrence stage, an individual would be experiencing the original problem or symptoms and facing consequences or determining what to do next. As the image shows, then the stages of change would cycle again.
Considering the stages of change may help as you reflect on where you are as you consider what things you feel you need to change. Due to COVID-19 you may have learned that you need to walk more, spend more time engaged with family and off of social media, spend more time in meditation and prayer, or give up some bad habits. Hopefully, this can help you or someone you care about move towards making lasting changes. And, if you feel stuck or are not knowing how to make positive changes, it is always an option to reach out to a professional for counseling services.