Becoming a mental health counselor for an HIV/AIDS patient is a position of dignity that can often be distorted or unjustified due to the negative scope it our society has placed regarding diagnosis. The main function of the HIV/Aids counselor is to support his infected and affected clients, listen to their problems and give them the opportunity to solve their problems and improve their lives. These skills may come easy to some; more difficult for others. I, as an HIV/Aids counselor, will embrace my future clients who seek my services. Support and empowerment should be a core task for any counseling profession, but particularly when working with a client who has HIV/Aids. When I begin my career as a counselor, I will be faced with clients who are diagnosed with HIV/Aids. This comparison poses several questions for me on a personal and professional level that I will need to address as my career progresses and I become more immersed and educated in my career. As a gay white male, many of my clients will have assumptions about me that are easily influenced by society's opinions. These assumptions, as a therapist, will need to be addressed and transformed into an understanding of HIV/AIDS and the different factors/modalities of contraction and the ability to live and cope with the disease. Treatment aside, I don't think I would have any hesitation about accepting clients with HIV/AIDS. I believe in HIV/Aids and believe all practitioners should be aware of the infection and its ability to affect anyone. “If a mental health professional believes that HIV infection is not present in their community and therefore does not learn how to appropriately address it with clients, they do a grave disservice.” (Winiarski) I do, however,…middle of the paper…as if I might have HIV or fear contracting the disease because of my similar lifestyle; which ultimately leads to the anguish of early mortality. In conclusion, I have a vested interest in educating my client. I believe that promoting safe sex education, HIV/AIDS education, life coaching, and coping skills is an extremely influential factor in addressing chronic diseases. I want to be that counselor who can demonstrate to my client how to talk about HIV/AIDS to their loved ones, friends and colleagues and how to deal with feelings of loneliness, depression, helplessness and suicide; all possible through consistent education. Works Cited Walker, G. (1991). In the Midst of Winter: Counseling Families, Couples, and Individuals Infected with AIDS. NY: WW Northon & Co. Winiarski, M. Understanding HIV/AIDS Using the Biopsychosocial/Spiritual Model.