Counseling Clients With HIV Disease Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention

Counseling interventions are a proven and powerful way to help individuals with HIV cope with the enormous changes in their lives wrought by the disease. Proposing an innovative conceptual model for HIV clinical work, this well-organized and comprehensive guide provides a framework for assessing clients' psychosocial concerns and implementing interventions to facilitate adjustment; reviews medical and neurocognitive aspects of HIV disease progression; explores the psychotherapeutic context of HIV clinical work; and addresses risk reduction and prevention. Author Mary Ann Hoffman facilitates assessment with a conceptual model delineating the psychosocial characteristics of HIV disease and the unique life situation of people with HIV, and emphasizing the need to discuss difficult issues such as sexuality, sexual practices, and drug use. Next, interventions to enhance adaptation and alleviate emotional distress are introduced, covering broad areas including emotional reactions and coping; changes in life roles, including employment; risk-reduction; spirituality; and death and dying. The book also examines the unique psychotherapeutic context of HIV clinical work, citing the need to rethink the typical goals and desired outcomes of therapy, and explores perspectives on prevention from both the individual and community standpoint. An exhaustive synthesis of clinical material and empirical date, Counseling Clients with HIV Disease is essential reading for mental health professionals, including counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurses.Hoffman, Mary Ann is the author of 'Counseling Clients With HIV Disease Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention' with ISBN 9781572300637 and ISBN 1572300639.