Current issues in psychotherapy with gay men: Impact of the AIDS phenomenon.

Abstract

This article addresses the impact of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) phenomenon on psychotherapy with asymptomatic gay men. We discuss specific issues pertaining to psychotherapy with gay men and offer suggestions about how professionals might address these issues in the helping context. We discuss how therapists can help gay clients (a) to develop a positive gay identity, (b) to reevaluatc their patterns of socializing, (c) to learn safe sex techniques and develop positive attitudes toward them, (d) to learn new styles of intimacy, (ej to understand the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody test and the implications of testing, and (f) to develop coping strategies for dealing with the loss of loved ones and acquaintances.

The Nature and Correlates of Psychological Adjustment in Gay Men with AIDS‐Related Conditions1

“…Reliable differences among persons with various AIDS-related conditions on psychological variables would provide a basis for designing services to meet the special psychological needs of persons who are either infected with HIV and are showing symptoms of AIDS (e.g., AIDS-Related Complex [ARC] or full-blown AIDS) or are HIV-infected but are not showing symptoms. Currently, specialized mental health services have been developed for different types of HIV-infected persons (Barrows & Halgin, 1988;McKusick, 1988;Sheridan & Sheridan, 1988), but without documentation of clear differences among these groups on psychological criteria.…”

Ethical principles in the counseling of gay and lesbian adolescents: Issues of autonomy, competence, and confidentiality.

“…To determine whether they are capable of affirming the client's identity within therapy, psychologists must first confront personal prejudices and stereotypes regarding homosexuality (Barrows & Halgin, 1988;. As a first step toward increased self-awareness, the therapist must "acquire special knowledge about gay men and lesbians in general and about the meaning of a gay identity to a particular person" (Cohen & Stein, 1986, p. 52).…”

Illness, stigma, and AIDS.

“…Instead, I shall consider some ways in which being stigmatized by AIDS can affect psychological functioning and mental health. (For discussions of mental health interventions with people with AIDS, see Adler & Beckett, 1989;Barret, 1989;Barrows & Halgin, 1988;Dane, 1989;Morin & Batchelor, 1984;Sheridan & Sheridan, 1988).…”