Which statement best explains why clients in crisis may follow through on action plans?

• A. They are coerced by the counselor.
• B. Action plans guarantee success.
• C. Crisis eliminates motivation.
• D. They want to reduce discomfort and the action plan offers relief.

Answer: (B)

In crisis, the urge to relieve intense distress heightens a person’s readiness to act. An action plan provides concrete, manageable steps that can be taken right away, offering quick relief and a sense of control. When the plan maps directly to reducing discomfort, clients are more likely to commit to following it because they can see how each step brings relief, experience small wins, and feel capable. The appeal isn’t about guarantees of success; it’s about reducing pain and restoring agency in the moment. Coercion is unethical and not effective, and crisis tends to heighten motivation rather than diminish it, making the relief-oriented, stepwise plan the most persuasive explanation for why clients may follow through.