HIV/AIDS Resource Guide for Sonoma County
HIV/AIDS Services: Support Groups
A licensed mental health professional, a paraprofessional, or a peer may lead support groups. They may be drop-in or may require a commitment to consistently attend group meetings. Some support groups are on going, others for a limited time period. Support groups often define their target group, such as women, young-gay men, partners', newly infected, long-term survivor, etc. Some groups are open to anyone with HIV/AIDS. Because groups often start and stop as participation warrants, it is not possible to list all groups available.
Therapy groups are always professionally led, and usually require an intake interview, and a commitment for participation.
Tips for Finding a Support Group:
If you have a case manager, contact them for a referral. Check for posted announcements for support groups in the waiting rooms of Face to Face, Sunburst Projects, The Center for HIV Prevention and Care, West County Health Centers, or Food For Thought.
The following agencies provide on-going and term-limited support groups throughout the year. Please note that some of the support groups listed below may be subject to change so please refer to the website below for updated information: www.sonoma-county.org/hiv
Center for HIV Prevention and Care
707-565-7400
Conexiones Positivas
707-565-7400
On-going, bi-weekly social and educational forum promoting a safe environment in which Latinos living with HIV in Sonoma
County can connect.
Para más información favor de llamar al 565-7400 y preguntar por Emilce.
Face-to-Face
707-544-1581
Food for Thought - Positive Women's Gathering
707-887-1647
A positive women's group where we can be ourselves in a safe, welcoming and caring place with other women who are in a like situation. Our intention is to cultivate friendship and connection and to make the time and space to nurture ourselves as women. PWG meets bimonthly at the food bank. Call Rachel at the above listed phone number for information.
HIV Positive Men's Group
Milo Coccimiglio, MFT
707-565-7624
This group meets every Tuesday afternoon. Please contact Milo at the above listed phone number for more information.
Lomi Psychotherapy Clinic
707-579-0465 x 230
Lomi is located in downtown Santa Rosa and offers free counseling to eligible clients and currently has openings for new clients. They run an HIV+ women's group that also has openings for new members. Please contact Ayne Shore at 707-579-0465 ext. 230 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Next Step
Bertha Jean De'Oliveria-Schmidt, CAS 707-548-1053
Milo Coccimiglio, MFT 707-565-7624
Next Step is a support group that will focus on sharing ideas, addressing social behaviors that increase risk, and exploring options that can lead to making healthier choices. For more information, or to join the group, contact Bertha Jean or Milo at the above listed phone numbers.
Positive Connections
707-565-7413
An ongoing, semi-monthly social and educational group for people living with HIV. This is a drop-in group, so no commitment is necessary. Our goal is to re-imagine our futures, nurture self-esteem, promote greater independence, and realize personal satisfaction. We meet at 625 Fifth Street, Santa Rosa in the Public Health Division's conference room from 6 to 8 p.m., on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
Russian River Health Center
707-869-2849
Straight from the Heart
707-565-7413
Straight from the Heart is a gathering of heterosexual men and women dedicated to emotional support and education for HIV positive individuals. The group meets the first Sunday of each month from 3-5 p.m. at Kaiser Medical Clinic 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, East Bldg. 3rd Floor, Room E3-4.
Sunburst Projects
707-588-9477
Sunburst Projects offers support groups and counseling services to help keep clients current about the many issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and help them with crucial personal concerns such as grief, death and dying, drug abuse, disclosure, discrimination, and the possibility of child placement. The support groups for HIV+ families, women, children, and teens meet once a week. For times and place please call the above listed phone number for more information.
Disclaimer: The Sonoma County Department of Health Services makes no assumption of quality and makes no warranties regarding providers appearing in this resource guide. This resource guide simply a public listing provided for consumer convenience, and is not a recommendation or endorsement by the Department.
For more information about The Center, please contact:
The Center for HIV Prevention and Care
499 Humboldt Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Phone: 707-565-7400
Fax: 707-565-7627