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I don't want to be insensitive or unsupportive by pointing out this is likely not the reality she is facing. But neither do I wish to agree with him or encourage the deception.
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In the "person-centered" listening approach you neither agree nor disagree, you simply understand and accept.
You show that you understand by in some way restating what your boyfriend is saying. "You are really excited about the possibility of a cure." "It sounds like you a tremendously optimistic about it." "You feel certain that the cure is coming soon." Or perhaps, if this be the case on a given day, "You seem really discouraged today."
In this approach the listener is with the other person, nonjudgmentally, acceptingly. The other person is not alone in their joy, sorrow, hope, despair.
The listener does not take a position on what can or will or won't happen; the listener's job is simply to be with the other person during the difficult time.