Chapter 9: Telephone Group Counseling in Reducing AIDS Risk in Gay and Bisexual Males

We have designed and are currently delivering an AIDS risk-reduction counseling intervention for gay and bisexual men having difficulty changing to and maintaining safer sex (Project ARIES). The intent of the project is to lower barriers to help-seeking by offering service entirely by telephone and not requiring particpants to give identifying information. The 14-session program is delivered in groups composed of six participants and two co-facilitators. This article describes the cognitive-behavioral models on which the intervention is based, components of the group sessions, marketing strategies, and evaluation methodology. A case study illustrates typical participant motivating factors and behavior changes. If found to be effective, this modality of service will likely have considerable promise ini the fight against AIDS as well as with other social and health problems.