{"id":167212,"date":"2026-07-27T10:39:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T10:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/?p=167212"},"modified":"2026-08-13T11:10:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T11:10:51","slug":"readiness-for-change-questionnaire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/","title":{"rendered":"Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ): Scoring and how to use it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"MedicalWebPage\",\"headline\":\"Readiness to change questionnaire (RCQ): scoring and how to use it\",\"description\":\"Download the free 12-item Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ) for alcohol use, and learn how to score its three subscales for addiction treatment.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/\",\"audience\":{\"@type\":\"MedicalAudience\",\"audienceType\":\"Clinician\"},\"reviewedBy\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Dr Vanja Kitanova\",\"jobTitle\":\"Medical Reviewer\",\"affiliation\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Pabau\"},\"knowsAbout\":[\"Clinical Assessment\",\"Transtheoretical Model\",\"Alcohol Use Disorder\",\"Motivational Interviewing\"],\"sameAs\":\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/author\/vanja\/\"},\"mainEntity\":{\"@type\":\"DigitalDocument\",\"name\":\"Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ)\",\"description\":\"A 12-item clinical assessment tool that scores a client's readiness to change their drinking across three subscales: precontemplation, contemplation, and action.\",\"encodingFormat\":\"application\/pdf\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire.pdf\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"isAccessibleForFree\":true,\"offers\":{\"@type\":\"Offer\",\"price\":\"0\",\"priceCurrency\":\"GBP\",\"availability\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\"},\"hasDigitalDocumentPermission\":{\"@type\":\"DigitalDocumentPermission\",\"permissionType\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ReadPermission\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Pabau\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.pabau.com\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-27\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-27\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-27\"}<\/script>\n\n\n        <div id=\"key_takeaways\">\n            <div class=\"header\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Key-Takeaways-Icon.svg\" alt=\"Key Takeaways\" height=\"42\" width=\"42\">\n                                <h3>Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"list\">\n                                                            <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>The Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ), developed by Rollnick, Heather, Gold, and Hall in 1992, measures a client&#8217;s readiness to change their drinking specifically<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>Its 12 items score three subscales &#8211; precontemplation, contemplation, and action &#8211; and the highest-scoring subscale sets the client&#8217;s stage, not a single summed total<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>Each subscale ranges from -10 to +10, and this version of the RCQ has no separate maintenance subscale<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>Practice management software like Pabau can store completed questionnaires in the client record and track how each subscale shifts across sessions<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Download your free readiness to change questionnaire (RCQ)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background: linear-gradient(135deg, #E2F2FD 0%, #DFE3FD 100%); border-radius: 16px; padding: 40px; margin: 32px 0;\">\n<h2 style=\"margin: 0 0 12px 0; font-size: 22px; color: #121d36;\">Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ)<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 20px 0; color: #444; font-size: 15px;\">A ready-to-use alcohol-use assessment based on the 1992 Readiness to Change Questionnaire. Includes all 12 items and the three-subscale scoring method used in addiction and alcohol-use treatment settings.<\/p>\n<a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #037CD2; color: #fff; padding: 14px 28px; border-radius: 8px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 600; font-size: 15px;\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download template<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A client in addiction treatment might insist their drinking isn&#8217;t a problem, or they might already be quietly cutting back on their own. The Readiness to Change Questionnaire, developed by Rollnick, Heather, Gold, and Hall, measures which position a client actually holds toward their drinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide covers how the RCQ&#8217;s three subscales work, how to score them, and how to fit the questionnaire into an alcohol-use treatment workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/downloadable_template_article\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/medical-forms-new-medical-form-with-components-2x.webp\" alt=\"Medical Forms New Medical Form With Components@2x\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Medical Forms New Medical Form With Components@2x<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a readiness for change questionnaire?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A readiness for change questionnaire is a clinical assessment instrument that measures how ready someone is to change a specific behavior. The most widely used version, the Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ), was developed by Rollnick, Heather, Gold, and Hall in 1992 specifically for drinking behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s grounded in the transtheoretical model of change, developed by Prochaska and DiClemente, which describes behavior change as a process across stages rather than a single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The RCQ was validated on people who drank excessively but weren&#8217;t seeking treatment, and it&#8217;s since been used across addiction treatment, alcohol counseling, and substance-use programs. The 12 items ask specifically about a client&#8217;s drinking, so it isn&#8217;t a substitute for a broader intake or a general behavior-change assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mental state examination or comparable clinical assessment covers the wider picture; the RCQ narrows in on one thing, a client&#8217;s readiness to change how much they drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The three stages the RCQ scores<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The RCQ places a client&#8217;s drinking-related readiness into one of three stages: precontemplation, contemplation, or action. Understanding each stage helps you choose the right response once you have their scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4;\">Stage<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4;\">Client mindset<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4;\">Clinician approach<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36;\">Precontemplation<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">Not seeing their drinking as a problem; may deny it or feel there&#8217;s nothing to change.<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">Build awareness gently. Avoid confrontation. Explore ambivalence through open questions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB;\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36;\">Contemplation<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">Weighing their drinking against reasons to cut down or quit, without committing either way.<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">Tip the decisional balance. Use motivational interviewing to strengthen change talk.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36;\">Action<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">Actively cutting down or quitting; needs concrete plans, support, and accountability.<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">Provide structure. Set goals. Use client portal tools to share resources.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to score and interpret readiness to change questionnaire results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Score all 12 items on a 5-point scale: -2 for strongly disagree, -1 for disagree, 0 for unsure, +1 for agree, and +2 for strongly agree. Four items belong to each of the three subscales &#8211; precontemplation (PC), contemplation (C), and action (A) &#8211; so add the four item scores within each subscale separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each subscale can range from -10 to +10, and whichever subscale scores highest sets the client&#8217;s stage. There&#8217;s no single overall score, and no separate maintenance subscale in this version of the RCQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4;\">Subscale<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4;\">What it captures<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4;\">Score range<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36;\">Precontemplation (PC)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">Denial or lack of intent to change drinking.<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">-10 to +10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB;\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36;\">Contemplation (C)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">Aware of a problem, weighing whether to change.<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">-10 to +10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36;\">Action (A)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">Already cutting down or quitting.<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151;\">-10 to +10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because a client can score positively on more than one subscale, compare all three totals before deciding on their stage &#8211; a high precontemplation score alongside a modest contemplation score still points to precontemplation. Store completed questionnaires in your client record system to track how each subscale shifts across sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/downloadable_template_article\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/detailed-client-records-in-pabau.webp\" alt=\"Detailed client records in Pabau\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Detailed client records in Pabau<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/capture-forms-software\/\">Clinical form capture tools<\/a> let staff complete assessments like this on a tablet during the session itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to use the readiness for change questionnaire in clinical practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Administration is straightforward. Give the questionnaire after rapport is established but before you set treatment goals. Explain the purpose: &#8220;I&#8217;d like to understand where you&#8217;re at with your drinking right now. This helps me tailor our approach.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Present the form as a digital intake form or printed copy.<\/li>\n<li>Score all three subscales and discuss the results together in session, validating whichever stage they land in.<\/li>\n<li>Adapt your language to their stage: explore ambivalence about drinking (precontemplation), tip the balance (contemplation), or set concrete steps to cut down or quit (action).<\/li>\n<li>Re-administer every 4-8 weeks to track whether their subscale scores are shifting.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pair the RCQ with automated workflows that send stage-appropriate follow-ups: clients in action benefit from weekly check-ins, while those still in contemplation tend to respond better to a lighter, bi-weekly message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pabau&#8217;s AI scribe, our AI note-taking feature, can automatically document the readiness conversation itself, so the discussion is captured in the client record without manual note-taking. Log the RCQ scores themselves separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/downloadable_template_article\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/automated-communication-in-pabau.webp\" alt=\"Automated communication in Pabau\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Automated communication in Pabau<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related templates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/western-aphasia-battery-template\/\">Western Aphasia Battery &#8211; WAB Template<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/relationship-questionnaire\/\">Relationship questionnaire (RQ)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/rhomboid-manual-muscle-test\/\">Rhomboid Manual Muscle Test Template<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/riso-hudson-enneagram-test-template\/\">Riso Hudson Enneagram Test Template<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <div id=\"book_a_demo\">\n            <div class=\"left-side\">\n                <div class=\"logo\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Logo.svg\"\n                        alt=\"Pabau Logo\"\n                        loading=\"lazy\"\n                    \/>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <h3 class=\"heading\">\n                    Streamline patient readiness assessment with Pabau                <\/h3>\n\n                <p class=\"description\">\n                    Administer the RCQ digitally, score all three subscales automatically, and track how a client&#8217;s stage of change shifts across sessions &#8211; all in one integrated practice management platform.                <\/p>\n\n                <div class=\"button-group\">\n                    <a href=\"\/book-demo\/\" class=\"btn btn-scale-effect btn-cta-color btn-md\">\n                        <span class=\"btn-text\">Book a demo<\/span>\n                        <div class=\"btn-icon btn-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <svg\n                                width=\"14\"\n                                height=\"12\"\n                                viewBox=\"0 0 14 12\"\n                                fill=\"none\"\n                                xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\n                            >\n                                <path\n                                    d=\"M0.75 4.77295C0.335786 4.77295 0 5.10874 0 5.52295C0 5.93716 0.335786 6.27295 0.75 6.27295V5.52295V4.77295ZM13.2803 6.05328C13.5732 5.76039 13.5732 5.28551 13.2803 4.99262L8.50736 0.219648C8.21447 -0.073245 7.73959 -0.073245 7.4467 0.219648C7.15381 0.512542 7.15381 0.987415 7.4467 1.28031L11.6893 5.52295L7.4467 9.76559C7.15381 10.0585 7.15381 10.5334 7.4467 10.8263C7.73959 11.1191 8.21447 11.1191 8.50736 10.8263L13.2803 6.05328ZM0.75 5.52295V6.27295L12.75 6.27295V5.52295V4.77295L0.75 4.77295V5.52295Z\"\n                                    fill=\"currentColor\"\n                                ><\/path>\n                            <\/svg>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"right-side\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                    src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Home-Page-Concept-4.webp\"\n                    alt=\"Pabau practice management software dashboard\"\n                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who benefits from the readiness for change questionnaire?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The RCQ is validated specifically for drinking behavior, so it fits addiction treatment, alcohol counseling, and substance-use programs rather than general intake. Programs use it at intake to gauge a client&#8217;s readiness to cut down or quit, then use the subscale scores each session to decide whether to build awareness or reinforce an existing plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It also pairs naturally with step-based recovery work &#8211; many programs use it alongside a client&#8217;s own AA Step 12 worksheet once they reach the action stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The RCQ answers a specific question: is this client ready to change their drinking right now, and in which direction? Whichever subscale scores highest shapes your next conversation, whether that&#8217;s building awareness, tipping the balance, or reinforcing a plan already in motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/book-demo\/\">Book a demo<\/a> to see how Pabau&#8217;s digital questionnaires and client records keep that stage-of-change picture up to date across every session.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div id=\"expert_picks\">\n            <div class=\"header\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Expert-Picks.svg\" alt=\"Continue your research\" height=\"42\" width=\"42\">\n                                <h3>Continue your research<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"content\">\n                                                            <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Want to track mood alongside readiness scores?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/major-depression-inventory\/\">Major Depression Inventory<\/a> gives you a validated screen to run alongside the RCQ when depression symptoms are also present.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Need a tool for day-to-day affect, not just stage of change?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/emotional-scales\/\">Emotional scales<\/a> track a client&#8217;s emotional intensity between sessions.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Want to adjust how you talk to clients at each stage?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/communication-styles-worksheet\/\">Communication styles worksheets<\/a> help you match your approach to how a client processes information.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Planning ahead for a client leaving treatment?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/discharge-planning-worksheet\/\">Discharge planning worksheets<\/a> document next steps once a client reaches the action stage.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785141821647\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is a readiness for change questionnaire?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A readiness for change questionnaire is a clinical assessment tool that measures how ready someone is to change a specific behavior. The most widely used version, the Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ), was developed by Rollnick, Heather, Gold, and Hall in 1992 to measure a client&#8217;s readiness to change their drinking specifically, not behavior change in general.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785141821648\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do you score the Readiness to Change Questionnaire?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Score each of the 12 items from -2 (strongly disagree) to +2 (strongly agree). Four items make up each of three subscales &#8211; precontemplation, contemplation, and action &#8211; so add the four item scores within each subscale. Each subscale ranges from -10 to +10, and whichever subscale scores highest sets the client&#8217;s stage of change.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785141821649\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What are the stages of change measured by the RCQ?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The RCQ measures three stages: precontemplation (not seeing the drinking as a problem), contemplation (weighing up whether to cut down or quit), and action (already cutting down or quitting). Unlike the broader transtheoretical model, this version of the RCQ has no separate maintenance subscale.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785141821650\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the transtheoretical model and how does it relate to readiness?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The transtheoretical model, developed by Prochaska and DiClemente, describes behavior change as a process across stages rather than a single event. The RCQ applies that model specifically to drinking, measuring where a client sits within it.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785141821651\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How can clinicians use the RCQ with clients?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Administer it early in treatment, after rapport is built and before treatment goals are set. Score all three subscales and discuss the highest-scoring one with the client. Use it to tailor your approach &#8211; building awareness for precontemplation, motivational interviewing for contemplation, concrete plans for action &#8211; then re-administer every 4-8 weeks to track movement.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785141821652\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is there a free Readiness to Change Questionnaire template available to download?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Download the free template at the top of this page. It includes all 12 items, the three-subscale scoring method, and stage interpretation for alcohol-use and addiction treatment settings.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Download your free readiness to change questionnaire (RCQ) Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ) A ready-to-use alcohol-use assessment based on the 1992 Readiness to Change Questionnaire. Includes all 12 items and the three-subscale scoring method used in addiction and alcohol-use treatment settings. Download template A client in addiction treatment might insist their drinking isn&#8217;t a problem, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":77,"featured_media":167211,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"84","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"60","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_seo_original_html":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1132,4138,1135],"tags":[1382],"class_list":["post-167212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mental-health-therapy","category-templates","category-therapy-counseling","tag-template"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Readiness to change questionnaire (RCQ): Free template<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Download the free 12-item RCQ for alcohol use, and learn how to score its three subscales for addiction treatment.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"nl_NL\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Readiness to change questionnaire (RCQ): Free template\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Download the free 12-item RCQ for alcohol use, and learn how to score its three subscales for addiction treatment.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Pabau\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Pabau\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-27T10:39:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-13T11:10:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Katy Piper\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@pabaucrm\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@pabaucrm\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Geschreven door\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Katy Piper\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Geschatte leestijd\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minuten\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/templates\\\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/templates\\\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Katy Piper\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5de22f4ff3ec59b1925ef02dce956d7d\"},\"headline\":\"Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ): Scoring and how to use it\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-27T10:39:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-13T11:10:51+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/templates\\\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1306,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/templates\\\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"template\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Mental Health &amp; 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The most widely used version, the Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ), was developed by Rollnick, Heather, Gold, and Hall in 1992 to measure a client's readiness to change their drinking specifically, not behavior change in general.","inLanguage":"nl-NL"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/#faq-question-1785141821648","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/#faq-question-1785141821648","name":"How do you score the Readiness to Change Questionnaire?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Score each of the 12 items from -2 (strongly disagree) to +2 (strongly agree). Four items make up each of three subscales - precontemplation, contemplation, and action - so add the four item scores within each subscale. Each subscale ranges from -10 to +10, and whichever subscale scores highest sets the client's stage of change.","inLanguage":"nl-NL"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/#faq-question-1785141821649","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/#faq-question-1785141821649","name":"What are the stages of change measured by the RCQ?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The RCQ measures three stages: precontemplation (not seeing the drinking as a problem), contemplation (weighing up whether to cut down or quit), and action (already cutting down or quitting). Unlike the broader transtheoretical model, this version of the RCQ has no separate maintenance subscale.","inLanguage":"nl-NL"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/#faq-question-1785141821650","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/templates\/readiness-for-change-questionnaire\/#faq-question-1785141821650","name":"What is the transtheoretical model and how does it relate to readiness?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The transtheoretical model, developed by Prochaska and DiClemente, describes behavior change as a process across stages rather than a single event. 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