Although counseling psychology has discussed vocational issues, health concerns, diversity, and social justice, discussion of these topics has typically been narrowly focused. This article uses the example of persons with HIV (PWHIV) to demonstrate how these areas can be intertwined. The counseling psychology literature is also examined to determine the degree to which direction has been provided regarding clients facing health concerns, disabilities, confusion regarding career issues, or possible discrimination. Because HIV is now considered to be a chronic illness for many people, there is an increased likelihood that PWHIV will be faced with employment issues, as well as significant barriers to beginning work, returning to work, or keeping a job. After highlighting characteristics of PWHIV, we review the degree to which the vocational literature addresses the needs and issues of PWHIV. We also examine the role of social justice in relation to PWHIV who are considering work.

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This article introduces the Major Contribution on integrating health and vocational psychology, using persons with HIV who have work-related concerns as an example. The authors describe the demographics associated with HIV disease and new treatments that have allowed people with HIV to remain healthy and continue working, or consider returning to work. They also outline the purposes of the Major Contribution and conclude with a call for more focus on traditionally disenfranchised populations, especially those who are members of multiple groups facing discrimination.

Because of recent advances in medications and treatment regimens, persons with HIV disease are maintaining better health status and living longer. Thus, greater opportunities exist for these individuals to either continue their current employment or return to the world of work. The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide in-depth descriptions of related vocational experiences of persons with HIV. Data were collected from eight focus groups consisting of a diverse sample of people living with HIV (N = 93). Results support the need for counseling psychologists and other mental health professionals to address real and perceived barriers, both internal and contextual, while also becoming advocates for persons with HIV who want to work. A model derived from qualitative data analysis provides visual representation of the work experiences of people living with HIV, for potential application in assessment and treatment.

We are pleased to read the thoughtful, insightful, and helpful reactions by Blustein, Catraio, Coutinho, and Murphy (2008 [this issue]), Chwalisz (2008 [this issue]), Conyers (2008 [this issue]), and Elliott and Johnson (2008 [this issue]) to our articles in this issue of The Counseling Psychologist on integrating health psychology, vocational psychology, multicultural psychology, and social justice (Maguire, McNally, Britton, Werth, & Borges, 2008 [this issue]; Werth, Borges, McNally, Maguire, & Britton, 2008a [this issue], 2008b [this issue]). We are honored that such an esteemed group of experts agreed to review and critique our Major Contribution. These colleagues' comments and suggestions are welcome contributions to our articles as well as to the literature in this area, and they offer significant implications for counseling psychology in terms of training, research, and practice. In this brief response, we highlight several ideas generated by our reading of the reaction articles, and we summarize the recurring themes in the commentaries. THE INCREASING NEED TO ADDRESS CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONSSeveral of the reaction articles noted that although we highlighted HIV disease, the number of people who have or will have one or more chronic