Counseling & Support
Team 119, GMHC's Mental Health Program (NYC)
Take the next step. To talk with someone or to find out more about services, the following information will simplify the process in what to expect.
Our Philosophy – Team 119 engages clients in a holistic, tailored and collaborative approach. This is accomplished by creating a therapeutic relationship with the client, therapist and other services providers. As a team, they coordinate care to impact the client’s overall mental health and well-being. Client strengths are utilized to address psychosocial and emotional stressors on physical health and quality of life.
Team 119 Scope of Services
- Individual Counseling – The program provides short and long term individual therapy in the following areas: mental health, substance use and treatment adherence.
- Family Counseling – The program works with families on a wide range of issues such as disclosure, loss, parenting skills and effective communication.
- Couple Counseling – Couple counseling is offered to couples who have been together for at least 1 year. Issues include healthy communication, trust, behavior change, and discordant HIV status.
- Group Therapy – Team 119 groups run on 8–12 week cycles. Clients are screened for groups and must go through a Team 119 assessment before starting any group unless otherwise indicated. Group topics include, but are not limited to: newly diagnosed, general HIV support group, long-term survivor, harm reduction, abstinence groups, depression and anxiety, women’s groups, Spanish language groups, creative art therapy groups.
- Creative Arts Therapy – This service provides group and individual interventions that use the creative process of art making to enhance physical, mental and emotional well-being.
- Psychiatric Evaluation – The psychiatric evaluation includes a review of the client’s presenting problems, a complete medical and psychiatric history.
- Mental Health Case Management – The Care Coordination Specialist/Case Manager assesses clients’ needs and actively makes referrals that can be helpful in client’s remaining connected to services and engaged in mental health care.
- Independent Living Skills – Psycho-educational individual and group sessions help clients improve self-sufficiency and effectively manage stress, time, finances, and emotions.
- Housing Advocacy – Educational and supportive services help clients learn the skills necessary to navigate through process of finding housing and maintaining a healthy home.
Client Eligibility
Team 119 provides services to all HIV+ clients. In addition, there are services for high-risk gay and bisexual men under the age of 30 who are HIV negative or of unknown status. Clients are not guaranteed services. Services are provided based on client need and staff availability. Staff members, including peers, are not eligible for services through Team 119. For clients whose clinical needs are out of the scope of service for the team, referrals will be provided.
Hours of Operation – Team 119 offers services Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm and Friday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Access Team 119 Mental Health Services
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment or finding out more about services we can be reached by telephone 212.367.1165 or email Team119@gmhc.org.
Once I have an appointment
Where should I go?
- Go to GMHC, 119 West 24 Street, New York City (between 6th & 7th Avenues)
- Take the elevator to the 4th floor
What should I do when I arrive?
- Use the phone on the wall in the reception area to dial the 4-digit extension of the person with whom you have an appointment
What should I expect?
- At your first meeting, you should expect a 60 – 90 minute assessment meeting with a therapist
What do I need to bring?
- Any medical documentation listing:
- Date of HIV diagnosis
- Latest CD4 count
- Latest viral load
- All medications you are currently taking
- If you do not have this information, please still come to your appointment
Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS)
Behaviors can be hard to change without good support — especially around substance use and sexual risk. CRCS offers harm reduction counseling services for HIV positive men and women and men and women who are HIV-negative and at high risk for HIV. CRCS is designed to help people look at their behaviors and work towards identifying reasonable goals through individual, peer and group counseling. Abstinence is not required to be part of this program. For more information, please contact Chris Cochrane at 212.367.1384.
Counseling & Support (National)
In the United States, there are over 14,000 treatment centers for crystal methamphetamine use. If you or a loved one needs counseling support, click here for a directory, where you can search by ZIP code, city or state.
http://www.myaddiction.com/directory/treatment-centers/treatment-centers
You can also visit www.supportgroups.com, which is for individuals, friends and families who are looking to connect during life’s challenging times. Share personal experiences, evaluation information and get support during times of need, illness, treatment or recovery. You can also call the following hotline numbers:
Drug & Alcohol Treatment Referral National Hotline: 800.662.4357
National Helplines: 800.HELP.111
