Readiness for change is really important when it comes to how well therapy works. Studies show that clients who are more ready to change usually see better results. For example, a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that 80% of clients who felt "ready" for change noticed improvements in their symptoms. In comparison, only 20% of those who didn't feel ready experienced the same.

Important Facts:

• Client Motivation: Research by Miller and Rollnick indicates that about 50% of how well therapy works comes from how motivated and ready the client is to change.
• Chance of Improvement: People who are just starting to think about change (known as the pre-contemplation stage) have only a 10%-20% chance of making real progress without help. But when those same people get ready to take action (the preparation stage), their chances of success can rise to 70%-80%.

Stages of Change:

1. Pre-contemplation: Not aware that they need to change.
2. Contemplation: Realizes they need change, but feels unsure.
3. Preparation: Plans to take action soon.
4. Action: Actively working on changing behavior.
5. Maintenance: Keeping up the changes over time.

When clients move through these stages, they usually get more involved in their treatment. This helps them better follow the advice given in therapy and leads to more chances of long-lasting positive changes.