Waterloo Counseling Center
Expands HIV-Related Services,
Starts Two
New Support Groups
Waterloo Counseling Center (WCC), the primary mental health facility in Austin
for lesbians, gay men, and those living with HIV-infection, has announced a
dramatic expansion of its HIV services. Waterloo has provided psychotherapy
sessions free of charge to those living with HIV-infection since 1991, with
funding provided by the City of Austin. This year, Waterloo’s funding was
greatly increased, resulting in an unprecedented increase in programming.
Waterloo will continue to offer free individual and couples psychotherapy
sessions to any individual living with HIV-infection. The number of sessions
for which a person is eligible has increased from 15 to 25. Two ongoing support
groups will continue: a group for anyone living with HIV, held at Waterloo on
Thursday evenings; and a group for HIV-positive women of color, held atInforme-SIDA the first and third Wednesday of the month. A Wednesday night
therapy group at Waterloo for individuals who are HIV-positive is also
continuing.
In augmenting the HIV program, many new services are being added. Most
notably, 20 psychotherapy sessions are now available free-of-charge to any
individual who is the partner or family member of someone living with
HIV-infection. By providing this service, Waterloo is recognizing that the
entire system surrounding a person with a terminal illness needs support, not
just the individual who has the illness.
Two new support groups reflect this line of thought: TIME OUT, a group for
partners, family members, and friends of persons living with HIV; and TAKE
TIME, a support group for service providers working with clients who have
HIV/AIDS. The TIME OUT group meets every Monday evening at Waterloo from 7-9pm.
The TAKE TIME group will begin the first week of September.
In addition to offering these new and innovative programs, Waterloo is making
its services more accessible by offering individual psychotherapy at the
C.A.R.E. Program and also individual therapy in conjunction with
Informe-SIDA (where the women of color support group is currently held).
Also, Waterloo provides taxi vouchers to those who are HIV-infected.
Commenting on the expansion. Executive Director Suzy Wagers observed, “We at
Waterloo are very excited to be offering these much-needed services. Waterloo
has been involved in providing services to those affected by HIV almost since
the Center s inception. Thanks to this funding, we can offer more sessions to
HIV-positive individuals, and sessions to partners and family members too.
Waterloo is a safe place that provides support to the entire family system, at
no cost to the clients. That is unique.”
All of Waterloo’s HIV programs are free and are funded by the City of Austin.
For information on any of Waterloo’s services, call 329-9922.
This article appears in August 11 • 1995 and August 11 • 1995 (Cover).