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Equipoise has been around for a long time. It has most commonly been practiced in the field of medicine where the clinician allows the client to make their own decision. The decision could be related to a particular treatment for cancer or a medication to take for high blood pressure. The clinician may provide the client information about the available options but does not influence the client one way or the other.聽 In addition, the clinician does not use their influence in any way to suggest or persuade the client in any particular direction.

One interesting characteristic about equipoise is that it is not related to a person but rather to the decision to be made. Even though a clinician may be calm, patient, understanding, and empathic across most clients they see, equipoise refers to only one decision, with one particular client, and at one specific time. Again, equipoise is about the process of how a decision is made and not about the person or personalities of those involved.  

Another way that equipoise is unique is that the clinician may have an opinion or a wish for the client on what decision to make but intentionally chooses not to influence the client in any way. If for example, a client came to a clinician and wanted to discuss the possibility of adopting a child, the clinician may have an opinion based on their work together, but may decide it is best to leave the decision entirely up to the client. In this scenario, if the clinician had an opinion but left the decision up to the client, they would be practicing equipoise.

In the next several blogs, we will discuss how a clinician chooses neutrality in working with a client. There are many approaches to working with clients in MI, and oftentimes, the clinician is moving the client towards a resolution. However, if the clinician chooses to remain neutral, they may need to be aware of their potential influence and attempt to not guide the client in any particular way. I hope everyone is doing as well as possible and you have opportunities to use and practice motivational interviewing. Take good care!