Which statement best describes autonomy-supportive coaching?

Which statement best describes autonomy-supportive coaching?

• A. Forcing clients to follow a preset plan.
• B. Limiting client choice to a single option.
• C. Supporting client choice, acknowledging feelings, avoiding controlling language; presenting options and inviting agreement.
• D. Using punitive feedback to enforce compliance.

Answer: (C)

Autonomy-supportive coaching centers on honoring the client’s sense of control and guiding change in a collaborative, non-coercive way. It involves actively listening and acknowledging how the client feels, presenting several realistic options, avoiding controlling language, and inviting the client to choose and commit to a plan. This approach nurtures intrinsic motivation because people are more engaged and persistent when they feel they are making the choice themselves and see that the steps fit their values and life context. In contrast, forcing a preset plan, limiting choices to a single option, or delivering punitive feedback undermine autonomy and tend to decrease motivation and openness to change. For example, you might say, "Here are a few options that could work for you—which feels most doable right now?"

Autonomy-supportive coaching centers on honoring the client’s sense of control and guiding change in a collaborative, non-coercive way. It involves actively listening and acknowledging how the client feels, presenting several realistic options, avoiding controlling language, and inviting the client to choose and commit to a plan. This approach nurtures intrinsic motivation because people are more engaged and persistent when they feel they are making the choice themselves and see that the steps fit their values and life context. In contrast, forcing a preset plan, limiting choices to a single option, or delivering punitive feedback undermine autonomy and tend to decrease motivation and openness to change. For example, you might say, "Here are a few options that could work for you—which feels most doable right now?"