You are working with a 65-year-old female client, Mary, who has been coming to see you for six months as she had grief and loss issues around having lost her only sibling, her brother and her husband in a space of a month apart (a year ago). She has a daughter and son who are both married and have two children each. They live in Sydney whilst she is in Brisbane. She has three close girlfriends whom she sees regularly.

Mary has just been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and has stated that although she is OK to undergo treatment, she is not prepared to take it to level where she is unable to be in a conscious state of mind. She says it is important that she is aware of who she is and what she feels because being in control of her own decisions is crucial.

How would you, as the therapist, support this client?