What does the term "Termination" refer to in the stages of change?

The term "Termination" in the stages of change refers to the completion of the change process when appropriate. This stage signifies that an individual has successfully integrated the desired changes into their life and has reached a point where they no longer need to actively maintain the behaviors associated with the change. It implies that the individual has developed new skills and strategies to sustain this change independently.

In various therapeutic and change models, reaching the termination stage typically indicates that the individual can handle their situation without ongoing support or intervention, reflecting a successful transition away from previous problematic behaviors. This is a critical stage because it acknowledges the individual’s progress in their journey and emphasizes the achievement of lasting change, serving as a culmination of the efforts made throughout the treatment or change process.

In contrast, other options do not accurately capture the essence of the termination stage, as they suggest discontinuing support, achieving stability in a more general sense without the focus on completion of the change, or simply ceasing intervention without recognizing the successful integration of change into one’s life.