ABSTRACT
Pat 1 listened, steeling herself to the story unfolding before her. She winced as she heard about the AIDS diagnosis, certain of the all-consuming illness and loss to follow. Her client’s lover had the diagnosis confirmed. Her client, Jim, was probably HIV-positive as well, thought Pat. She cursed him in her mind for his carelessness, blaming him subconsciously for a disease he did not want, a disease he had taken precautions against. Outwardly, Pat went through consoling motions, saying it was tragic and sad. Then she quickly changed the session’s focus by asking about their last session, trying to fault his depression and fatigue on poor vocational choices. Pat, a seasoned therapist, was unable to listen to the disturbing turn her client’s life had taken and redirected the focus to reduce her own uneasiness.
