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A client who has engaged in lifestyle change for more than six months is in which stage of change?

  1. Precontemplation

  2. Preparation

  3. Action

  4. Maintenance

The correct answer is: Maintenance

A client who has engaged in lifestyle change for more than six months is in the Maintenance stage. This stage is characterized by the individual having sustained their behavior change for an extended period, typically six months or more. During this phase, individuals work to consolidate their gains and prevent relapse into old behaviors. They focus on maintaining the changes they have made and are often more confident in their ability to continue with these healthier habits over the long term. In contrast, the other stages of change represent earlier phases in the behavior change process. Precontemplation reflects a lack of awareness or intention to change, while Preparation indicates that the individual is planning to take action soon but has not yet fully committed. The Action stage occurs when the individual is actively implementing changes but often for a shorter duration than six months. Therefore, recognizing a client’s stage of change is crucial for providing appropriate coaching and support tailored to their specific needs and progress.