Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results
| Site: | UCSF Collaborative Learning Environment |
| Course: | Advanced Counselor Skills Pre-Training Course |
| Book: | Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Friday, July 17, 2026, 11:10 AM |
Description
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results
Table of contents
- 1. Disclosing Negative Test Results
- 2. Introduction
- 3. Goals of HIV-Negative Disclosure Session
- 4. Paolo Gives Greg His Test Results
- 5. Greg Hears His Test Result
- 6. Greg Reacts
- 7. Paolo Reflects Greg’s Feelings
- 8. Paolo Summarizes Greg’s Talk About Change
- 9. Paolo Offers Referrals
- 10. Paolo and Greg Reflect on the Session
- 11. Conclusion
Module 9:
Disclosing Negative Test Results
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results, Screen 2 of 11
Introduction
In this module, we’ll watch Paolo deliver a negative HIV test result. Think of this as a preview of the face-to-face Basic Counselor Skills Training, which will include a significant focus on delivering test results. There, you will watch an experienced counselor disclose negative and preliminary positive test results. You will learn about the components of the disclosure sessions and have a chance to practice both negative and preliminary positive test disclosures.
Most new HIV test counselors worry about delivering preliminary positive results. That is totally normal. We will have a chance to discuss this in the Basic Counselor Skills Training. But remember that the overwhelming majority of test results you deliver will be HIV-negative. A negative disclosure session is an important opportunity to work with your client on HIV prevention.
Introduction
In this module, we’ll watch Paolo deliver a negative HIV test result. Think of this as a preview of the face-to-face Basic Counselor Skills Training, which will include a significant focus on delivering test results. There, you will watch an experienced counselor disclose negative and preliminary positive test results. You will learn about the components of the disclosure sessions and have a chance to practice both negative and preliminary positive test disclosures.
Most new HIV test counselors worry about delivering preliminary positive results. That is totally normal. We will have a chance to discuss this in the Basic Counselor Skills Training. But remember that the overwhelming majority of test results you deliver will be HIV-negative. A negative disclosure session is an important opportunity to work with your client on HIV prevention.
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results, Screen 3 of 11
Goals of HIV-Negative Disclosure Session
Here are the basic elements of a HIV-negative disclosure session:
Goals of HIV-Negative Disclosure Session
Here are the basic elements of a HIV-negative disclosure session:
- Make sure the client is ready to hear the results.
- Share the results.
- Allow the client to react to the results.
- Make sure the client understands the results.
- Support the client in processing thoughts and feelings.
- Review behavior change decisions and plans (if any) from
the Risk Assessment. - Make referrals if needed.
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results, Screen 4 of 11
Paolo Gives Greg His Test Results
Let’s see what that looks like by joining Paolo and Greg as Paolo returns to the counseling room with the test result.
Paolo: OK, Greg, let’s match up the numbers: 7-5-3-4-2-1-0. They’re the same.
Your result is negative.
Paolo Gives Greg His Test Results
Let’s see what that looks like by joining Paolo and Greg as Paolo returns to the counseling room with the test result.
Paolo: OK, Greg, let’s match up the numbers: 7-5-3-4-2-1-0. They’re the same.
Your result is negative.
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results, Screen 5 of 11
Greg Hears His Test Result
Greg listens to this test result. To see his reaction go to the next screen.
Greg Hears His Test Result
Greg listens to this test result. To see his reaction go to the next screen.
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results, Screen 6 of 11
Greg Reacts
Greg: OK—
Paolo: You look … surprised.
Greg: I am. I expected—
Paolo: —a different result.
Greg: Yeah.
I mean, I’m relieved, but it might be easier just to know already.
Paolo: [Pauses]
Greg: I still need another test in a few months.
Paolo: That’s right.
Greg Reacts
Greg: OK—
Paolo: You look … surprised.
Greg: I am. I expected—
Paolo: —a different result.Greg: Yeah.
I mean, I’m relieved, but it might be easier just to know already.
Paolo: [Pauses]
Greg: I still need another test in a few months.
Paolo: That’s right.
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results, Screen 7 of 11
Paolo Reflects Greg’s Feelings
Greg: I think it’s going to be positive next time.
Paolo: You sound convinced.
Greg: I’ve been lucky so many times before. I’m worried that my luck is going to run out.
Paolo: It’s a lot to be carrying this feeling that you’re eventually going to get HIV.
Greg: I really don’t want to get it.
Paolo: And it’s complicated.
Greg: Yeah.
Paolo: Can I go out on a limb and suggest something?
Greg: Yeah. What is it?
Paolo Reflects Greg’s Feelings
Greg: I think it’s going to be positive next time.
Paolo: You sound convinced.
Greg: I’ve been lucky so many times before. I’m worried that my luck is going to run out.Paolo: It’s a lot to be carrying this feeling that you’re eventually going to get HIV.
Greg: I really don’t want to get it.
Paolo: And it’s complicated.
Greg: Yeah.
Paolo: Can I go out on a limb and suggest something?
Greg: Yeah. What is it?
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results, Screen 8 of 11
Paolo Summarizes Greg’s Talk About Change
Paolo: You said some things today that clearly communicate a drive for things to be different, to make a change. You’re interested in seeing a therapist to work through how you want to respond when someone stereotypes you as a bottom. In the meantime, you’re thinking about trying more oral and less anal sex—and more lube if you do have anal sex without a condom. And you mentioned getting checked out for STDs.
Do I have this right?
Greg: Yeah. But now it feels like a lot to tackle.
Paolo: How do you feel about that?
Paolo Summarizes Greg’s Talk About Change
Paolo: You said some things today that clearly communicate a drive for things to be different, to make a change. You’re interested in seeing a therapist to work through how you want to respond when someone stereotypes you as a bottom. In the meantime, you’re thinking about trying more oral and less anal sex—and more lube if you do have anal sex without a condom. And you mentioned getting checked out for STDs.
Do I have this right?
Greg: Yeah. But now it feels like a lot to tackle.
Paolo: How do you feel about that?
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results, Screen 9 of 11
Paolo Offers Referrals
Greg: Kind of overwhelmed, but when you play it back like you did, it does sound like I don’t want to get sick.
Paolo: I was just repeating what you said earlier. It’s your own internal pep talk.
Greg: I guess you’re right. And I do want to talk to a therapist.
Paolo. Here are numbers for two therapists. If neither of these works out for any reason, call us back at this number on my card and we’ll help you find someone else. And here’s the information on STD testing, if that’s something you want.
Do you have any more questions or anything you’d like to add?
Greg: No. I’m good. Thanks a lot.
Paolo Offers Referrals
Greg: Kind of overwhelmed, but when you play it back like you did, it does sound like I don’t want to get sick. Paolo: I was just repeating what you said earlier. It’s your own internal pep talk.
Greg: I guess you’re right. And I do want to talk to a therapist.
Paolo. Here are numbers for two therapists. If neither of these works out for any reason, call us back at this number on my card and we’ll help you find someone else. And here’s the information on STD testing, if that’s something you want.Do you have any more questions or anything you’d like to add?
Greg: No. I’m good. Thanks a lot.
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results, Screen 10 of 11
Paolo and Greg Reflect on the Session
Let’s see how Greg and Paolo are feeling about the session:
Greg: That was okay. It was hard to say that stuff about sex out loud, but I feel better now that I did. Paolo was pretty easy to talk to. I’m going to call one of those therapists this afternoon before I lose my nerve.
Paolo and Greg Reflect on the Session
Let’s see how Greg and Paolo are feeling about the session:
Greg: That was okay. It was hard to say that stuff about sex out loud, but I feel better now that I did. Paolo was pretty easy to talk to. I’m going to call one of those therapists this afternoon before I lose my nerve.
Paolo: It upsets me when clients wish they were positive. I have to work hard to stay neutral and let them say how they feel. I think I did okay with that this time. I should have asked Greg to summarize the changes he decided to make before I jumped in. I’m going to work on that next time.
Module 9: Disclosing Negative Test Results, Screen 11 of 11Conclusion
Remember: this was just a first look at a negative disclosure session. You’ll learn more during the Basic Counselor Skills Training. As we mentioned in the beginning of this module, you will have a chance to watch and practice both negative and preliminary positive disclosure sessions.