Abstract
For specialist nurses predominantly working with patients who have a terminal illness, communication is a vital component. There is strong evidence that the needs of patients and families change along the illness trajectory, with emphasis on physical and emotional support. Evidence from the literature suggests that the psychological needs of patients and spouses are not being met. The heart of person-centered therapy is a way of using the relationship, in this case between the nurse and the patient/family, to facilitate positive change and development of the person(s) through traumatic events. The use of a case study will clarify the setting and the concerns expressed by the patient, including the application of person-centered counseling in practice and the limitations of such an approach within the home environment. This article will reflect on the use of person-centered counseling to show how Olive and Harry's trajectory developed such that they were able to state their feelings to each other, something they had not been able to do for many years, which helped Olive toward a peaceful death.