What tool is commonly used to assess client readiness for change?

The Readiness Ruler is a widely recognized tool used to assess a client’s readiness for change, particularly in behavioral health and lifestyle modifications. It typically takes the form of a simple visual scale, often from 1 to 10, where clients can rate their perceived readiness to make a change, with 1 representing no readiness and 10 representing complete readiness. This method helps to facilitate conversations about motivation, barriers to change, and the client's confidence in their ability to make changes.

Using the Readiness Ruler allows both the client and the coach to quickly gauge where the client stands in their motivation to change, which can guide the next steps in coaching and support interventions. It encourages reflection and helps identify levels of readiness that can enhance effective strategies in behavior change.

While other tools like the Motivational Interviewing Guide, the Behavior Change Wheel, and the Client Health Inventory play vital roles in the coaching process or behavior change models, they do not specifically focus on assessing how ready a client feels about making a change at a given moment, which is the primary function of the Readiness Ruler. Hence, its specific purpose underscores its effectiveness in determining client readiness.