Module 3: Introduction to Risk Assessment

Neutral Stance

Remember when we talked about unconditional positive regard as one of the key ideas of client-centered counseling? Neutral stance is related to unconditional positive regard.

Neutral stance means being supportive and nonjudgmental—showing respect for the client’s perspective without agreeing or disagreeing.

It doesn’t help to argue or lecture about a client’s behavior or ideas, even if they seem misguided or dangerous. But we also don’t want to cheerlead for a specific change they are considering. Neutral stance means leaving space for clients to work out how they feel and what they want to do for themselves.

Remember, the client—not the counselor—ultimately decides on which changes to make and how to make them. As much as it may be tempting to corral a client toward an understanding or decision, behavior change simply does not work that way. A neutral stance says that you trust the counseling session to offer the client the information and support to make the best decisions.