Stages of Change and Motivational Interviewing in Financial Therapy

To maximize effectiveness in helping clients change financial behaviors, it is critical to recognize the stage of change in which the client currently resides, identify resistance to change when it is present, and tailor one’s approach accordingly. This chapter explores stages of change, precursors of change, and ambivalence and resistance towards change, and introduces techniques financial therapists can use to help a client successfully navigate through the change process. A case study is presented to illustrate the application of motivational interviewing in financial therapy.