Change is an inevitable process. In social work, there are 5 phases of change that are critical. Without completion of a particular stage in evolution, then progress to the next step is impossible (Zastrow, C. 2017).
The text below highlights the phases of change in social work and how these changes are relevant to service delivery development, intervention, and achieving positive client outcomes.
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The phases of change include; pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. There is, however, an assumed phase called relapse. In this phase, the individual eliminates all change process to remain as he/she was before the change process.
These phases are relevant to service delivery since they are precise and show all possible outcomes that the client may fall victim to (Bertram, R. M., Blase, K. A., & Fixsen, D. L. 2015). This helps even the social workers to come up with methods to counter each stage, even the recycling stage. It also assists the client to understand all the possible outcomes in each stage. This results in the mental preparation of the clients; thus, they can make better decisions and avoid disappointment.
Stages of change generally, affect both the client and the social worker (Maddamma, M. 2016). When the workers then gain the ability to notice the stage that the client is in, then they can easily relate with the patient and help the patient in decision making and dealing with any outcomes that may be an aftermath of any of these stages. This entire process of providing solutions to different outcomes is what intervention entails.
Social workers can also teach the patients or clients these phases of change. This helps the patients to identify their conditions more and their bodies’ responses to these stages. This thus results in the clients gaining strength and confidence in their healing and general health advancements (Trotter, C. 2015). With knowledge of these stages, the clients gain the confidence and ability to maintain a positive attitude and a clear head; thus, healing is easy.
References
Zastrow, C. (2017). Introduction to social work and social welfare: Empowering people (12th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Bertram, R. M., Blase, K. A., & Fixsen, D. L. (2015). Improving programs and outcomes: Implementation frameworks and organization change. Research on Social Work Practice, 25(4), 477-487.
Trotter, C. (2015). Working with involuntary clients: A guide to practice. Routledge.
Maddamma, M. (2016, June 19). Generalist social work practice