ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

If a client feels that changing eating habits is unbearable because of the perception of having to give everything up, they may be suffering from which cognitive style?

1. Full-preference thinking

2. Dissociative disorder

3. Neuro-linguistic programming

4. Absolutistic demanding

The correct answer is: Absolutistic demanding

The correct answer highlights the cognitive style known as absolutistic demanding, which involves an all-or-nothing approach to thinking. Clients exhibiting this style often feel overwhelmed by the prospect of change because they perceive it as requiring them to give up all of their current habits and preferences. This rigid perspective can create a significant barrier to making positive dietary adjustments, as individuals may feel that minor changes are not sufficient and that they must completely alter their eating habits or face failure. Understanding this cognitive style is crucial for health coaches, as recognizing that clients may feel forced into an extreme mindset allows coaches to provide more effective support. Coaches can help clients reframe their thinking, encouraging a more flexible and gradual approach to changing eating habits, emphasizing that change doesn’t mean complete elimination but rather finding balance and moderation. This reframing can significantly help individuals overcome their reluctance and develop healthier habits in a sustainable way.