If a client is in the Pre-contemplation stage, what might the content of their journaling consist of?

• A. Very general thoughts and feelings around everyday life
• B. Thoughts and feelings about a relapse in behavior and strategies for improvement
• C. Very specific thoughts and feelings around struggles with the nutritional and activity changes demanded of their program
• D. Very general thoughts about long-term health goals

Answer: (A)

In the Pre-contemplation stage, journaling tends to capture broad, everyday reflections rather than thoughts about changing behavior. Clients at this point may not recognize a problem or intend to change, so their entries focus on general life experiences, moods, stressors, and routines rather than specific plans, strategies, or concerns about relapse. They aren’t typically documenting targeted thoughts about nutrition or activity changes, nor are they laying out long-term health goals as the central focus. This broad, non-specific content fits with their current lack of motivation or awareness about needing to change.