What to Expect
If you are interested in our Behavioral Health Services, one of our staff will talk with you by phone or in person. They will ask you questions about your concerns and will determine if you are eligible for our services. If we are unable to assist you directly, we will refer you to services elsewhere.
If you are eligible to receive our services, then you will complete a detailed questionnaire about yourself and your health.
Next, you will schedule an appointment with one of our clinicians. At that appointment the clinician will ask you some more questions to better understand your story and what is troubling you.
The clinician will then talk with you and recommend a course of treatment and fill you in on potential wait times for those services. Together, you will come up with a plan to help address your needs.
After this appointment and depending on wait times, one of our clinicians will reach out to schedule your first treatment appointment.
The goal of our services is to reduce the symptoms of mental illness or substance use that cause problems for our clients. Our treatment options include the following services. You may enroll in one or more of these services depending on your treatment needs.
Case Management
Assistance with accessing community resources such as housing, financial benefits, or linking to medical care.
Gender Health
Supportive services for transgender and gender non-conforming people including evaluation and preparation for gender-affirming surgeries.
Group Therapy
Small group sessions of people coping with similar challenges such as social isolation, sexual or gender identity issues, or substance use problems; and facilitated by staff clinicians.
Peer Support
Small group sessions of people coping with similar challenges such as living with HIV, community connection, and relationships; and facilitated by trained volunteers.
Psychiatry
Psychiatric evaluations, medication management and follow-up.
Psychotherapy
One-on-one sessions to explore mental health challenges and develop strategies and skills to uncover strengths, identify barriers and build external and internal resources.
Substance Use Counseling
One-on-one harm reduction sessions to explore substance use challenges and develop strategies and skills to support clients wherever they are with their use or recovery.
Complete List of AHP Groups
Groups for the LGBTQ Community
Drop-In Groups
SNAP Talk!
A drop-in group for gay and bisexual men in their 20s and 30s who are newcomers to the city and want to talk and get support about adjusting to life here. Thursdays, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; SF LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street, San Francisco.
Time-Limited Groups
Aging Group for Gay and Bisexual Men
A 14-week group for gay and bisexual men age 50 and up to talk about issues of aging in their lives.
Sex and Sobriety
A 14-week group focusing on topics such as navigating sober sexuality and attaining emotional intimacy. For gay and bisexual men with at least six months of current, continuous sobriety from their drug(s) of choice.
Strong and Proud
An empowering and supportive eight-week group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people who have concerns about trauma, substance abuse, or other aspects of mental health.
Ongoing Groups
Gay and Bisexual Men’s Group
Ongoing group for gay- and bisexual-identified men exploring issues of mental and physical wellness.
Queer Women’s Disability and Chronic Illness Group
Ongoing group for lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans women to discuss health challenges, learn self-care strategies, process common emotions, and explore strategies for working with health care providers.
Transgender Support Group
Ongoing group for transgender and gender-variant people who want to explore gender, relationship issues, self-esteem, and mental and physical well-being. Open to all genders.
Groups for People Living with HIV
Drop-In Groups
Drop-In Support Group for People Living with HIV/AIDS
A supportive environment to discuss feelings about disclosure of HIV status, health care and medication use, sex, substance use, isolation and community building, dating and relationships, life transitions, and other issues. Please arrive five to 10 minutes prior to group start time. Mondays, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; AHP Services Center, 1930 Market Street.
Time-Limited Groups
New Positives Group
A 14-week group meeting in the evenings for people who have recently tested HIV-positive or who are newly addressing issues related to HIV. Topics include: disclosure of HIV status; work-related issues; health care and medication decisions; medication side effects; substance use; challenges of sex, relationships, and intimacy; and identifying community resources.
Ongoing Groups
HIV/AIDS Peer-Facilitated Support Groups
Ongoing weekly volunteer-facilitated peers groups for people at any stage of living with HIV to give and receive support. Day and evening times available. Topics include relationships, long-term survival, sex, dating, aging, body image, isolation, community, and other issues related to living with HIV. Participation requires a three-month commitment.
Clinician-Facilitated HIV/AIDS Support Groups
Ongoing weekly clinician-led groups for people at any stage of living with HIV. Give and receive support around living with both HIV and mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety significant enough to cause serious disruption in usual life functioning. Day and evening times available. Topics include relationships, disclosure, isolation, depression, HIV and psychiatric medication concerns, and other HIV and mental health related issues or concerns. Participation requires a three-month commitment.
Considering Work
A 14-week group for people living with HIV or living with disabling mental illness who are in transition from disability or recovery to school or work. Meets in the evening. Provides a supportive space in for participants to meet others in transition and discuss barriers to achieving vocational, educational, or other goals. Includes both members who are actively seeking work and members who are in the contemplation stage of returning to work or school.
Groups for People Regardless of HIV Status
Drop-In Groups
ASAP (AIDS Substance Abuse Program) Drop-In Group for People with Substance Use Concerns
Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; AHP Services Center, 1930 Market Street; First-time attendees need to arrive 15 minutes early.
Time-Limited Groups
Drugs, Alcohol, and Creative Arts Group
An eight-week group focusing on expressive arts (drawing, bodywork, meditation, and more) for anyone with current substance use concerns.