Deciding to change: Enhancing client motivation to change behaviour

Cognitive behaviour therapy concentrates on strategies to assist clients in changing their thoughts and/or their behaviour. The aim of this paper is t o discuss research findings from the addictions field indicating that an ef fective approach to therapy is to enhance motivation for change. Research i nto stages and processes of change, decision making, and motivational inter viewing is reviewed. The paper concludes by suggesting ways in which this r esearch can be used by therapists to increase the likelihood that clients w ill engage in change and maintain change over time.