During which stage of the Motivational Interviewing process does the coach and client collaborate on an action plan?

The stage in which the coach and client collaborate on an action plan is the Planning stage. During this phase, the focus shifts to developing specific strategies and actionable steps that align with the client’s goals and motivations, which are vital for making change. The coach assists in clarifying the client’s intentions and facilitates a warm, supportive environment where the client feels empowered to formulate practical solutions tailored to their unique situation.

This stage allows the client to concretely outline how they will implement the changes they desire, ensuring that both the coach and client have a shared understanding of the path forward. Effective collaboration in this phase enhances the client's commitment to their action plan, which is critical for achieving lasting change.

In contrast, the other stages have different focuses: Engaging centers on building rapport and establishing a trusting relationship, Focusing involves identifying and clarifying the specific issues that will be addressed, and Evoking is about eliciting the client’s motivations and reasons for change. Each of these stages plays an essential role in the overall process, but the actual collaboration to form the action plan specifically occurs during the Planning stage.