The Cycle of Change Pre-
Contemplation
Prochaska & DiClemente No intention on
changing
• Precontemplation: A logical starting
point for the model, where there is behavior.
no intention of changing behavior;
Relapse Contemplation
the person may be unaware that a Fall back to Aware problem
problem exists
• Contemplation: The person becomes
old patterns of exists but with no
aware that there is a problem, but has behavior commitment to
made no commitment to change action.
• Preparation: The person is intent on
taking action to correct the problem;
usually requires buy-in from the client
(i.e. the client is convinced that the
change is good) and increased self-
efficacy (i.e. the client believes s/he
can make change)
Upward Spiral
• Action: The person is in active
Learn from each relapse
modification of behavior Maintenance Preparation
• Maintenance: Sustained change
Sustained change. Intent on taking
occurs and new behavior(s) replaces
old ones. Per this model, this stage is New behavior action to address
also transitional
replaces old. the problem.
• Relapse: The person falls back into
old patterns of behavior
• Upward Spiral: Each time a person Action
goes through the cycle, they learn
from each relapse and (hopefully) grow
Active modification
stronger so that relapse is shorter or of behavior.
less devastating.
The Cycle of Change
Adapted from a work by Prochaska and DiClemente (1983) | Ignacio Pacheco
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Version 3.4 Updated 09 September 2018