DCP Faculty for HIV and Sexual Health

These guidelines have been developed in recognition of the importance of guiding and supporting applied psychologists around their work with sexual and gender minority clients in order to enable their inclusion in clinical practice at a high standard.

They also aspire to engender better understanding of clients who may have suffered social exclusion and stigmatisation in order to reduce the possibility of this in the clinical arena.

• Download the guidelines for psychologists working therapeutically with sexual and gender minority clients

This document has been written in consultation with the committee of the Faculty of HIV/Sexual Health and advising trainers.

Its key purpose is to guide members of the profession and training providers in ensuring that trainee clinical psychologists, upon qualifying, are able to meet the needs of individuals with sexual health and HIV related problems, in whatever setting or context they come into contact with them.

The guidance within is also intended to aid in planning and evaluating the consolidation of experience and competencies of newly qualified clinical psychologists working within sexual health and HIV settings before the transition from Band 7 to Band 8 within Agenda for Change and Continuing Professional Development

• Download the good practice guidelines for the training and consolidation of clinical practice in clinical practice in HIV/Sexual Health Settings

With so many choices available, choosing the right method of contraception can be tricky. Some options, although effective, can have an adverse effect on menstrual cycles, which can cause physical and mental distress.

So I'm sharing this useful resource called 'The Complete Guide To Contraception & Your Cycle' which aims to help women become more informed about contraceptives and how it impacts their menstrual health. It features a lot of great information, such as:

• An in-depth look at the various types of contraceptives available - both hormonal and non-hormonal - and how women can get them for free.
• Detailed comparison of each contraceptive's pros and cons - how they affect intercourse and their efficacy in preventing STDs.
• Important stats on the effectiveness of each contraceptive, possible side-effects, and how they might affect menstrual cycles.
• Key takeaways and advice on finding a method that works for each individual and other useful external references on reproductive health.

Read the complete guide to contraception and your cycle

• Butler, C. (2004).An awareness-raising tool addressing lesbian and gay lives. Clinical Psychology, 36, 15-17 
• Butler, C. (2006). What's different about sex? Clinical Psychology Forum, 158, p36-39 
• Butler, C & Shaw, E. (2007) Putting sex on the agenda. Clinical Psychology Forum, 173, 45-47 
• Byrne, A., Watson, R., Butler, C. & Accoroni, A. (2006). Increasing the confidence of nursing staff to address the sexual health needs of people living with HIV: The use of motivational interviewing. AIDS Care, 18 (5), 501-504 
• Maslin, J. & Shaw, L. (2006). Clinical Psychology and asylum seeker clients: The therapeutic relationship. Clinical Psychology Forum, 165, 10-15 
• Patel, N. et al. (2000). Clinical Psychology, 'race', and culture: a training manual. London: BPS 
• Shaw, L. (2007) NICE about sex. Clinical Psychology Forum, 174, 55-56 
• Shaw, L. & Tacconelli, E. (2006). Displaced people in sexual health settings. Clinical Psychology Forum, 159, p8-20 

Read more on A National Nurse-led Audit of the Standards for Psychological Support for Adults Living with HIV

• Clinical Psychology, "race" and culture: a training manual, pt 3, ch16: HIV/GU Medicine/Sexual Health. O.Davidson
• The Psychology of Sexual Health (2002) ed: D. Miller; J. Green, Blackwell
• The Trauma of Sexual Assault: Treatment, Prevention and Practice (2002) eds: J.Petrak, B.Hedge, Wiley

• Briefing Paper No. 17. Clinical Psychology services in Sexual Health and HIV: a guide for purchasers of clinical psychology services

• Briefing Paper No. 24. Clinical Psychology Sexual Dysfunction Services in Sexual Health and HIV, and other NHS Services

• Briefing Paper No 25: Criminalisation of HIV transmission. Guidelines regarding confidentiality and disclosure

• Standards for psychological support for adults living with HIV

• Roche HIV treatment developments and updates for physicians

• World AIDS Day

• AIDSmap: Wide ranging site from the British HIV Association and National AIDS Manual, particularly useful for people living with HIV and AIDS. Plus database of AIDS organisations worldwide, and information for developing countries from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance 
• Health Development Agency: National authority supporting evidence-based working in public health, providing effectiveness reviews and other publications on sexual health. 
• HIV i-base: HIV treatment information for healthcare professionals and HIV positive people 
• The Criminalisation of HIV Transmission: A site set up by Birkbeck & Keel Universities as part of an HIV and the Law lecture series. Contains overheads from speakers and related papers on clinical practice and access to treatment etc. Criminalisation of HIV Lectures

• British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH): an organisation formed by the merging of the former Medical society for the Study of Venereal Diseases (MSSVD) and Association for Genito Urinary Medicine (AGUM)
• Children's HIV Association of UK and Ireland (CHIVA): An association of professionals who are committed to providing excellence in the care of children infected or affected by HIV and their facilities
• Dietitians in HIV/AIDS: Registered dieticians who specialise or have an interest in HIV/AIDS 
• NHIVNA: National HIV Nurses Associations 
• SSHA: Society of Sexual Health Advisors 
• NICE: An idependent organisation responsible for providing guidance on good health and preventing ill health

• African HIV Policy Network (AHPN): umbrella organisation for African community groups addressing HIV & sexual Health 
• All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS (APPGA): Back bench of MPs and Peers in UK Parliament 
• George House Trust: Charity supporting people affected by HIV in the North West 
• National AIDS Trust: Charity which supports voluntary sector work on HIV, and policy development 
• PACE: Promoting lesbian and gay health and well-being 
• Relate: Offering advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultation and support face-to-face, by phone and via the website 
• Sex Education Forum: Based at the National Children's Bureau 
• The Havens Website: services for people who have been sexually assaulted 
• The Herpes Viruses Association: Charity providing information and advice to people affected by herpes simplex and other herpes viruses 
• The Terrance Higgins Trust: Major charity providing services to people affected by HIV, and health promotion 
• The UK Coalition for People living with HIV and AIDS: User-led advocacy and service organisation for people living with HIV and AIDS 

The Faculty for HIV & Sexual Health fosters effective psychological services to people whose lives have been affected by HIV and Sexual Health issues and aims to raise awareness of psychological issues in this area by providing a forum for the presentation and discussion of issues.

The Faculty facilitates communication and support among psychologists and other professionals working in the field by promoting psychological research and advising and influencing relevant organisations and policy.

The Faculty issue a quarterly online newsletter and offer reduced fees for events.

The Faculty for HIV & Sexual Health uses its membership announcement email list to inform its members of activities and initiatives that are relevant to their interests and to make requests for engagement on topical issues. 

By becoming a member of the Faculty you are automatically added to the announcement list.

To receive these emails you will need to:

1. become a member of the Faculty for HIV & Sexual Health
2. opt into receiving email communication and provide a working email address

These preferences can be updated by logging into your member portal.

If you have any queries, please contact Member Network Services.

To assist us in responding to your query please make sure to include your membership number and quote 'Faculty for HIV & Sexual Health announcement email' in the subject line.

The Faculty for HIV & Sexual Health relies on a wide range of people getting involved, and the work of the Faculty is largely achieved through the dedication of unpaid volunteers.

Our volunteers come from a wide range of different backgrounds, whether they be practitioners or academics, or full members or in-training members, and together form an open and inclusive community.