How to Sponsor a HOPE Training

The American Psychological Association (APA) in collaboration with the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) offers a selection of nine topic-specified workshops designed to further develop practice skills and knowledge for mental heath practitioners serving the needs of persons with HIV disease and those affected by HIV/AIDS. A separate curriculum addresses Ethics in conjunction with HIV-related mental health services and teaches a model for making ethical decisions. Delivery of these dynamic, interactive workshops can be arranged through APA Regional Trainers in your area or by contacting the HIV Office on Psychology Education (HOPE). <Hyperlink whole name to email hope@apa.org>

About the Workshops

The HOPE Modules are comprised of nine stand-alone topic areas (see below) and each module is flexible enough that it can be adapted to deliver in half-day workshops or shorter "overviews."

1. HIV Virology, Clinical Course, Medical Treatments, Epidemiology,
   & Antibody Testing (PDF format, 35 pages)
   
   
2. Integrating Primary and Mental Health HIV/AIDS Care (PDF format, 17 pages)
   
   
3. Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Assessment (PDF format, 50 pages)
   
   
4. HIV/AIDS Mental Health Provider Interventions (PDF format, 38 pages)
   
   
5. Prevention Issues for the HIV/AIDS Mental Health Provider (PDF format, 35 pages)
   
   
6. Issues of Concern to the HIV Mental Health Provider (PDF format, 11 pages)
   
   
7. HIV & Families (PDF format, 28 pages)
   
   
8. Work in the Lives of People Living with HIV Disease: Roles for Psychologists
   (PDF format, 27 pages)
   
   
9. HIV, Mental Health, and Prisons (PDF format, 35 pages)
   

Programs are self-contained and may be delivered independently or as a series, according to the skills and needs of the participants. The format of the workshops offers a creative combination of didactic and experiential learning opportunities.

Standard workshops are approximately half-day and designed to build clinical skills as well as to develop participants' insight into the psychological and counseling challenges they and their clients face. Shorter presentations can be arranged to fit local programs.

A separate curriculum addresses Ethics in conjunction with HIV-related mental health services and teaches a model for making ethical decisions.

Each HOPE Program workshop delivered by APA Regional Trainers qualifies participants to receive APA-approved continuing education.

Benefits for Participants

The training program features a variety of learning formats as well as comprehensive participant handouts and resource materials. Training content provides a sound basis for HIV-related mental health practice and offers new information, ideas, and renewal. Participants attending the workshops will:

• Receive information about HIV disease
  
  
• Evaluate their own issues and attitudes about HIV and people with HIV
  
  
• Examine psychosocial issues confronting clients
  
  
• Practice HIV-related psychotherapy, counseling, and case management skills
  
  
• Identify barriers to effective practice
  
  
• Increase networking opportunities
  
  
• Expand awareness of local resources
  
  
• Address AIDS-related grief, loss, bereavement, and ethics

Opportunities for Delivery

HOPE Program workshops are suitable for delivery to diverse audiences including: psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, social workers, direct care givers, and others. This professional level curriculum is designed for use in:

• Local, state, and provincial psychological association conferences
  
  
• Mental health association meetings
  
  
• In-service training for psychiatric facilities, mental health clinics, hospitals, hospice, nursing homes, and juvenile care facilities
  
  
• National association conventions
  
  
• Continuing studies programs for graduate credit
  
  
• Staff retreats
  
  
• Graduate courses in psychology, counseling, nursing, and social work
  
  
• Community health educator training
  
  
• VA medical centers
  
  
• Correctional facility staff
  
  
• School faculty and staff
  
  
• Drug treatment and intervention staff

Arrange a Local Workshop

To arrange a local HOPE workshop, please contact:

American Psychological Association
Office on AIDS — Attn: HOPE Program
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC. 20002-4242
202- 336-6042
Email