Filling the Gap: Integrating HIV into the Counselor Education Curriculum

Authors

J. Richelle Joe, University of Central FloridaFollow
Roseina D. Britton, National Louis UniversityFollow
Tiffany Hairston, University of the CumberlandsFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8821-5791

Author Biographies

Roseina Britton, PhD, LPC, NCC; National Louis University. Dr. Britton is a clinician and counselor educator with research interests and expertise in HIV, disability, and social justice.

Tiffany Hairston, PhD, LICDC-CS, LPCC-S, NCC; Assistant Professor, University of the Cumberlands. Dr. Hairston is a clinician, supervisor, and counselor educator with research interests and expertise in addictions, colorism, and HIV.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7290/tsc07ru20

Abstract

People living with HIV (PLWH) are vulnerable to mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, which in turn, often affect their health outcomes. Multiple, overlapping structural and social determinants of health exacerbate the physical and mental health concerns of PLWH, presenting a need for services that are responsive to the unique implications of the illness. Professional counselors have the potential to provide such services but must be adequately prepared to do so. In response to the lack of HIV-related professional development for counselors and the minimal preparation of counselors-in-training to serve clients with HIV, this article uses the 2024 CACREP standards of accreditation to provide a framework for infusing HIV-related coursework into counselor training. By aligning HIV education with CACREP's eight core areas, we address a critical gap in counselor preparation, emphasizing ethical practice, cultural competence, and practical applications at the intersection of HIV and mental health.

Public Significance Statement

HIV often co-occurs with mental health conditions due to the overlapping effects of stigma, homophobia, racism, and transantagonism. Addressing the compounded mental health concerns of people living with HIV is critical to federal efforts to end the epidemic, yet counselors rarely receive adequate preparation on this topic. This article provides concrete methods for counselor educators to incorporate HIV into the curriculum to prepare counselors-in-training to serve clients affected by HIV.

Recommended Citation

Joe, J. Richelle; Britton, Roseina D.; and Hairston, Tiffany (2025) "Filling the Gap: Integrating HIV into the Counselor Education Curriculum," Teaching and Supervision in Counseling: Vol. 7 : Iss. 3 , Article 5.
https://doi.org/10.7290/tsc07ru20
Available at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/tsc/vol7/iss3/5