Identifying a specific type of exercise that the client has been avoiding and using relaxation to help the client avoid the activity is appropriate for which stage of change?

The correct stage of change in this scenario is Preparation. At this stage, individuals are becoming more aware of the benefits of a behavior change and are planning for actions they wish to take, such as incorporating exercise into their routine. They may identify specific exercises they have been avoiding and begin to address their apprehensions or resistance towards these activities.

Using relaxation techniques to help the client cope with their avoidance indicates that they are actively preparing for the changes they need to make. This can assist in transforming negative associations with certain exercises, ultimately paving the way for the client to engage in those activities with less anxiety in the future. The Preparation stage is characterized by this dual focus on identifying challenges and employing strategies to overcome them as they gear up to take action.

In contrast, the other stages—Contemplation, Action, and Maintenance—focus on different aspects of behavior change, such as recognizing the need for change (Contemplation), actively engaging in new behaviors (Action), and sustaining those changes over time (Maintenance).