Stages Of Change Worksheets

Check out our stages of change worksheets to help clients recognize the six change dimensions. Increase commitment to healthy and positive behaviors, and help clients accomplish their goals in a much shorter time.

By Katherine Ellison on Mar 06, 2024.

Fact Checked by Nate Lacson.

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What Is A Stages Of Change Worksheet?

Our stages of change worksheet help clients through a common change model that works towards creating and reinforcing positive and healthy behaviors. The worksheet takes clients through the six stages of precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse, which all contribute toward greater understanding when it comes to incorporating change. For many clients, change is a difficult and complicated process, with these worksheets designed to simplify and promote proactive action for day-to-day functioning. With this worksheet, clients can develop a committed approach to their behavior, and acknowledge that relapses are inevitable and part of every mental healthcare journey. Clients dealing with all sorts of stresses, including relationships, sleep schedules, work, eating, exercise, and more, can all benefit from incorporating the worksheet. Designed with mental health practitioner needs in mind, professionals can take advantage of the many benefits this worksheet has to offer.

Printable Stages Of Change Worksheets

Download these Stages Of Change Worksheets to improve your client's treatment progress and therapy outcomes.

How To Use This Worksheet For Stages Of Change

To use this stages of change worksheet, we recommend that you follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Download the worksheet

Although this may seem self-explanatory to state, it is important that you download the worksheet so you can incorporate it within your practice. All you have to do is click the link on this page, and the template should open automatically within your designated PDF reader. It is free, and only takes a few seconds!

Stage 2: Distribute the worksheet to your client

The next step is to give the worksheet to your client. Feel free to forward the worksheet electronically for them to complete at home, or alternatively, you can print the worksheet out. It is up to you whether it is assigned as homework, but we recommend that you work with the patient and use the worksheet as a tool to supplement your appointments. To complete the worksheet, simply work with the client to answer the questions and prompts, and offer support whenever needed.

Step 3: Store securely

The final step is to then store the document safely once completed. Stages of change worksheets contain highly sensitive information, so it is recommended that you store the worksheet within the HIPAA-compliant platform to protect and safeguard patient information at all times.

Stages Of Change Worksheet Example (Sample)

If you would like to see an example of this worksheet and practice, then feel free to check out the links on this page. We have created a stages of change blank worksheet that you can incorporate within your practice right away, however, we've also created an example for you to view. Our example follows a fictitious case and allows you to better understand the level of quality often required within these worksheets.

Download this Stages Of Change Example (Sample) here:

Stages Of Change Worksheet Example (Sample)

Who Can Use this Printable Stages Of Change Worksheets (PDF)?

Stages of change worksheets can be used across a multitude of mental health specializations and areas. Change is inevitable, and something that many clients struggle with across a variety of mental health challenges and well-being concerns. As a result, many different types of professionals can utilize these worksheets, including psychologists and counselors, and beyond. Regardless of how many years of experience you have, or the number of clients that you see, there's value to be had for everyone. These worksheets can be used by any professional who is wanting to help their client through a particular life stress that is a result of a change, whether this is internal or external. We have included a list of some of the following who may particularly find this worksheet useful:

-   Psychologists

-   Psychiatrists

-   Counselors

-   Therapist

-   Psychotherapist

-   Life coaches

-   Social workers

Why Is This Form Useful For Therapists

The stages of change worksheet also has multiple practical uses that you should be aware of. These include the following:

Leads clients through change

Change can be an overwhelming and daunting event, with these worksheets allowing you, as a mental health practitioner, to lead and guide your client through the various stages of change. Help clients recognize that they are not alone and that change and its various nuances are inevitable, normal, and empowering for introducing positivity. Life can be manageable with the right tools, with this worksheet touching on all aspects that pertain to change.

Enhance organization

These worksheets consist of already-made templates, meaning that all you have to do is download them to start. They do not require extensive knowledge or training to use, and no matter your experience or familiarity with these stages of change model, you can implement them right away. Simplify your workload, and streamline your business processes so you can stay on top of your patient information.

Save time

Naturally, incorporating these worksheets that are already made means that you can save time on important business processes. At the end of the day, as a mental health practitioner, you are running a business and time is money. These worksheets take the hassle out of your day and allow you to spend more time doing what you do best, attending to your clients and prioritizing their needs.

Practice management software feedback

Why Use Carepatron For Stages Of Change Software?

Carepatron is an excellent practice management software that can help you elevate the level of quality within your practice and services. Used by over 10,000 healthcare professionals, with Carepatron, you can edit, manage, and store worksheets and clinical documents with ease. With HIPAA compliance servers, you can ensure that patient information is protected at all times, and with voice-to-text transcription services, you can create documents in seconds without compromising on quality.

Additionally, you can take advantage of the many other sophisticated features that Carepatron has to offer. This includes appointment scheduling, booking, and calendar services so you can optimize the number of patients through your doors, as well as appointment reminders to reduce frustrating no-shows. Incorporate online payments for faster and more accurate reimbursements, and access our wide resource library to extend the high quality of your services beyond just clinical documents. Designed with mental health care needs in mind, Carepatron is your one-stop shop when it comes to differentiating your business and ensuring consistency and efficiency over time.

Stages Of Change Software
What is included in a stages of change worksheet?
What is included in a stages of change worksheet?

Commonly asked questions

What is included in a stages of change worksheet?

To go into greater detail, the stages of change focus on six components, with the first being precontemplation. In this stage, clients are often described as being in denial and claim that their behavior or stress is not a problem. The second stage, contemplation, is where the client becomes more aware of their stress as a problem, however, there are many conflicting emotions still at play. Clients may evaluate the pros and cons of changing their behavior, with many hesitant to move past this stage in fear of the consequences. The third stage, preparation, is where the client begins to implement small changes to prepare for a larger one. Within the next action stage, the client creates a direct action plan to resolve this issue, with definitive steps taken. The following maintenance stage is where clients work to sustain and maintain their behaviors by replacing habits with positive actions. The final stage is relapse, where clients resort to their old behaviors and face feelings of disappointment and frustration, as well as failure. Clients may or may not relapse, however, it is included as a natural part of change regardless.

What happens if my client does not relapse?

If your client does not relapse, then there is no need to fill out this section. You should only fill out sections that are relevant to your patient, and of course, change is relative; what may be true for some clients may not be for others. This is perfectly acceptable, and as the nature of these worksheets suggests, everyone is different and faces unique life stresses and changes.

Who completes the stages of change worksheet?

It is important that the client is the one completing the stages of change worksheet, however, for more effective results, it is best that you collaborate with the client to suggest ways that they can improve. Many clients need additional support, and as a mental health practitioner, it is important that you are there to offer a hand.

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