When counseling an anorexic, the best advice is to:

Being flexible and helping clients set reasonable goals when counseling someone with anorexia is essential for fostering a supportive and effective therapeutic relationship. Individuals with anorexia often have distorted body images and an overwhelming fear of weight gain, which can make strict dietary recommendations or an overload of choices counterproductive and potentially lead to increased anxiety or resistance.

By allowing flexibility, the counselor can empower the client to make their own choices, which helps build a sense of autonomy and self-efficacy. Setting reasonable, achievable goals aligns with the principles of motivational interviewing, which emphasize understanding the client's perspective and encouraging positive behavior change at a pace that feels comfortable for them. This approach is more likely to lead to sustainable changes in eating behavior and contribute to recovery.

In contrast, strictness or rigidity in food choices can heighten feelings of control and resistance, while offering a large variety of options may overwhelm the individual, making it harder for them to make decisions comfortably. Providing absolute freedom in food intake can also pose risks, as it may lead to unhealthy eating patterns or worsen the eating disorder. The recommended approach is about balance, understanding, and gradual progress.