Table 2.

Complex Reflections

Patient: I just don't know how I'm going to tell my kids about this. They will be devastated.

Clinician: Your kids are pretty important to you.

Patient: Yes, I love them and want them to be ok. It's my job to protect them. But I know they have to know.

Clinician: So, you want to protect your kids, and yet you know that keeping the truth from them wouldn't help them.

Patient: No, I know it wouldn't. I'm worried about telling them, but I know I have to. So how do I talk to my kids about this?