Unlike talking to a friend When we are in a bad mood, we also do some heart-to-heart talking with a close friend, and often with good results. The intimate and trusting relationship in counseling is sometimes very similar to that of a friend, but not exactly the same. Your feelings and opinions will be completely accepted and respected by the counselor, and your privacy will be kept absolutely confidential; at the end of the consultation, the relationship is immediately interrupted and there is no involvement, which brings a great sense of security and privacy for confidences. The counselor’s words are often very different from those of a friend. If a person tells a counselor, “I want to kill myself.” He would not say, “Don’t ever.” He might discuss with you: What would be a happier way to commit suicide? What problems will be solved if you kill yourself? What problems would be left behind? Is there any other solution than suicide? Of course, people who need to discuss suicide with a counselor often have not really made up their minds to take action. If a person tells a counselor, “I had sex with a prostitute and I’m afraid of getting AIDS.” The counselor will not simply say, “Get tested! If it’s negative, you’re fine, but if it’s positive you have to get treated quickly.” Then the visitor will be pushed into a bigger crisis by the counselor. The counselor should consider all the possibilities in advance and help the client prepare psychologically accordingly: How great is the risk of infection? Does the visitor have a sufficient support system to get through the crisis, for example, is he happily married, does he have reliable friends? What is his financial situation? Will he be able to afford medical expenses if he is found to be positive? If negative, is he in a dangerous lifestyle, etc.?