Lazarus and Group Psychotherapy: AIDS in the Era of Protease Inhibitors

Abstract

A new class of medications, protease inhibitors, has dramatically improved the health of many people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This development has had a major impact on the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS. This article considers how a group is affected by the larger systems of which it is a part. The article examines changes in the content, process, and salient leadership tasks of an ongoing therapy group for people with HIV and AIDS before and following the initial introduction of new medical treatments. It also considers how the group process continues to be affected by the more recent failure of these medications for many patients. Implications for research, practice, and training are discussed.

Brazaitis, Sarah J.: A Scholar, A Practitioner, An Educator

“…Her adoption of this thinking is clear even in earlier works, such as a moving and thought-provoking chapter on the effects of protease inhibitors on a therapy group for men with HIV/AIDS that she conducted for many years at GMHC (Gushue and Brazaitis, 2003). It is an elegant reflection on the very real sociopolitical forces at play when conducting group psychotherapy for an illness such as HIV/AIDS, which ravaged whole communities, provoked shame and alienation, and was then more or less deprioritized as a public health crisis once protease inhibitors were brought to market.…”

Integrating Health and Vocational Psychology

“…Since that time, only a few articles discussing members of this group have appeared in the counseling psychology literature (e.g., Gushue & Brazaitis, 2003;Hayes & Erkis, 2000;Lightfoot & Healy, 2001;Newcomb et al, 1998;Simoni, Martone, & Kerwin, 2002;Stewart & Gregory, 1996). To provide a solid foundation for our assertions in the next two articles, we provide here an overview of the current situation for PWHIV disease.…”

“…Although HIV has been present in the United States since at least 1980 and can be documented as being in existence since the 1950s (Kalichman, 1998), it was only in the early 1990s that counseling psychologists began discussing issues related to this PWHIV group and various ways to help them with psychosocial issues in The Counseling Psychologist and the Journal of Counseling Psychology (e.g., Hayes & Gelso, 1993;Hoffman, 1991Hoffman, [and associated responses], 1993Rogers & Britton, 1994;Werth, 1992Werth, , 1993. Since that time, only a few articles discussing members of this group have appeared in the counseling psychology literature (e.g., Gushue & Brazaitis, 2003;Hayes & Erkis, 2000;Lightfoot & Healy, 2001;Newcomb et al, 1998;Simoni, Martone, & Kerwin, 2002;Stewart & Gregory, 1996). To provide a solid foundation for our assertions in the next two articles, we provide here an overview of the current situation for PWHIV disease.…”

Challenges of Work

“…Group participants often learn how others have dealt with disclosure and discrimination, gaining new perspectives regarding these potential obstacles. Counseling psychologists are encouraged to apply appropriate group interventions in a manner that incorporates a social justice perspective (Gushue & Brazaitis, 2003;Stewart & Gregory, 1996).…”