Assessment and psychotherapy practice implications of new combination antiviral therapies for HIV disease

New combination antiviral regimens that include protease inhibitors have created heightened levels of optimism about the future of HIV-related health care as well as new challenges with important implications for mental health intervention. Emerging issues in HIV-related mental health treatment are described herein, and strategies for assessment and psychotherapy are outlined, highlighting ways to address newly emerging themes in clinical practice. Clinical evaluation and therapeutic intervention specific to psychological adjustment, antiviral treatment adherence, access to care, HIV risk behavior, and central nervous system functioning are discussed.