AIDS counselling in the context of the terrence higgins trust

The Terrence Higgins Trust provides counselling and support services for people who are affected by HIV. Counselling involves enabling people to unlock feelings and find ways in which to deal with them. Counsellors need to be able to listen non-judgetnentally. To listen and really hear what the client is saying, and also to what is not being said.

‘Being there’ involves dealing with one's own feelings about disability, death, dying, sex, sexuality, anger and so on. Counsellors also have a responsibility to look after their own needs. This means getting regular supervision to discuss the work they are doing and their feelings about this.

Counselling people living with, or affected by HIV brings up feelings of helplessness, anger, fear, grief and despair, but with this comes joy, amazement and wonder at the power and magic in all human beings.