More than other any other infectious disease, persons living with AIDS encounter an enormous number of psychosocial issues. Until a cure is found, AIDS patients have a disease which is
inevitably
fatal-- a prospect even most cancer patients do not face. Since HIV is communicable, people with AIDS often bear not only the burden of their own illness; but the concern that they may have infected a loved one. Unlike cancer, AIDS still has a strong stigma in many communities, including some families and faith communities where these individuals might otherwise have gathered support.
For these and other reasons, people living with AIDS (and their families) often require assistance from mental health professionals to help them deal with their disease and its numerous and diverse impacts. Besides individual psychotherapy, many people find that support groups with professionally trained facilitators provide the opportunity to work through these issues along with others facing the same challenges. Individual psychotherapy often is arranged through the medical provider. We present below a listing of local agencies who provide support groups for people infected with HIV and (at some agencies) for their loved ones.
| INSTITUTION | CITY | PHONE | CONTACT PERSON |
|
Mandala Center for Creative Wellness [Absolutely Positive] |
Albany |
(518) 862-0632 |
Rochelle Brener |
|
Arbor Hill Community Center [AIDS Mastery Workshop] |
Albany |
(518) 463-1516 |
Debbie Ballard |
|
Center for Natural Wellness [Meditation Healing Group] |
Albany |
(518) 449-2353 |
Michelle Whinnery |
|
The Samaritans |
Albany |
(518) 426-5132 |
|
|
Mixed HIV+ Group for African Americans & Hispanics |
Albany |
(518) 482-8363 |
Bradley Biggs, Ph.D. |
|
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center [Healing Group for Persons with HIV/AIDS] |
Albany |
(518) 465-4771 ex. 412 |
|
|
Albany Bereavement Group [for family & friends who lost a loved one] |
Albany |
(519) 438-7316 |
|
|
AIDS Bereavment Group-Closed to HIV+ and Caregivers |
Albany |
(518) 262-4026 |
Lori Hansel |
|
Alcare - Gay AA Meeting |
Albany |
(518) 456-8043 |
|
|
The Women's Group |
Albany |
(518) 482-8836 |
Sue Van Anstine |
|
Damien Center - ACOA Group for Gay Men |
Albany |
||
|
Albany Medical Center - Socialization Group |
Albany |
(518) 432-7884 |
Mike Alexandrov |
|
Pastoral Center [Caregivers Support Group] |
Albany |
(518) 436-0532 |
Joe Wilson |
|
HIV Support Group - Counseling of the Laity |
Albany |
(518) 453-6625 |
Joe Lininger, Ph.D. |
|
Albany AIDS Council [HIV+ Latino Support Group] |
Albany |
(518) 434-4686 |
|
|
Whitney Young Cheer Department [Support Group for Affected Others/HIV+ Caregivers] |
Albany |
(518) 463-6824 |
|
|
Damien Center of Troy/General Support Group |
Troy |
(518) 272-2352 |
Carmen Scott or George Domine |
|
St. Peters Hospice / Pathfinders: A Bereavement Group for Children |
Troy |
(518) 271-1901 |
|
|
Unity House Annex / Troy |
Troy |
(518) 434-9194 |
Barbara Jones |
|
The Samaritans |
Schenectady |
(518) 374-3514 |
|
|
Safety Zone - Drop In Center |
Troy |
(518) 266-1377 |
|
|
Kids Club - Program for HIV Positive Children: Ages 6-12 and Aware of Their Diagnosis |
Saratoga |
(518) 262-6888 |
Barbara Richer |
|
Saratoga Bereavement Group: Non-AIDs Group for Family & Friends of a Lost Loved One |
Saratoga |
(518) 584-5076 |
Tony or Diane Famiano |
|
Support Group for HIV+ Individuals |
Saratoga |
(518) 587-5000 |
Charla Commins |
|
Wave Riders: A Hospice Support Group for Grieving Children-K-3 & 4th-8th Grades |
Saratoga |
(518) 581-0800 |
|
|
The Samaritans - Schenectady - Individual & group pastoral counseling |
Schenectady |
(518) 374-3514 |
|
|
Schenectady Bereavement Group: Non-AIDS Specific Group for Family & Friends |
Schenectady |
(518) 391-9428 or 887-5204 |
Phyllis Liu or Peggy Hohenstein |
|
PWA Group |
Schenectady |
(518) 370-1441 ex. 162 |
|
|
HAVEN: Friends and Family, Closed to HIV+ Caregivers |
Schenectady |
(518) 370-1666 |
Pat Herman |
|
AIDS Council/Schenectady - HIV Support Group |
Schenectady |
(518) 346-9272 |
|
|
Schenectady Family Health Services - Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Classes |
Schenectady |
(518) 370-1441 ex. 160 |
Carole Smith-Torres |