HIV Mental Health Clinic
Psychotherapy
facilitates self-awareness and self-acceptance. Psychotherapy can also assist in developing
and enhancing coping skills and in resolving personal and interpersonal conflicts. Developing
coping skills is critical to living a full, more balanced life.
The therapeutic relationship is based on mutual trust and confidentiality between you
and your therapist. We strive to treat our clients with respect and dignity in an empathetic
manner.
About the HIV Mental Health Clinic
Our mental health team is multi-disciplinary and includes a professional social worker,
counselor and nurse practitioner. The clinic operates within the Adult Ambulatory Clinic.
No one will be refused services due to inability to pay. Our services are covered by
allmajor insurers and our program is partially supported by a NYDSHO, AIDS Institute,
Ryan White Grant.
Mental Health Services
The HIV mental Health Clinic offers our patients the following services:
Individual Therapy
This includes one-on-one sessions with a therapist to help you understand and cope
with your personal reactions to feelings and the stress life brings. Together you and
your therapist create goals to improve your quality of life. This may also include meetings
with family members and significant others.
Group Therapy
For some people, it is helpful to meet with a therapist and other individuals with similar
experiences to share concerns and ways of coping. Group members are encouraged to share
their feelings and to give feedback to support others. We offer specialized groups, tailored
to meet the needs of all of our clients living with HIV/AIDS, including some evening
groups.
Consultations
We can provide evaluations and monitoring for psychiatric medications. Staff members
are also available to consult with other community health care and service providers.
Clinicians
Joseph G. Gentile, LCSW, CGP
Senior Social Worker and Clinical Coordinator of the HIV Mental Health Clinic
Joseph Gentile has been employed at the University of Rochester since 1986, including nine
years as the Senior Social Worker in the AIDS C enter. He is a Licensed Clinical Social
Worker in New York and a Certified Group Psychotherapist. He has specialized training and
experience in a number of treatment modalities, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
(DBT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT).
Michelle Stouffer, RN, MS, NPP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Michelle Stouffer has worked at the University of Rochester Medical Center since 1977,
and in the psychiatric field since 1985. Her experience includes inpatient and outpatient
psychiatry, as well as chemical dependency. She has extensive experience with the Mentally
Ill Chemically Addicted (MICA) population. She graduated from the University of Rochester
in 2003 with a Masters in Nursing.
John M. Aceto, MS, NCC
Therapist
John Aceto is a Nationally Certified Counselor who has worked at the University of Rochester
Medical Center since 1995, first as a case manager for the Seriously and Persistently
Mentally Ill (SPMI) population, then as a therapist on the Mobile Crisis Team. He also
completed the HIV Pre/Post Test Councilor training and has worked with AIDS Rochester
Incorporated (ARI) and the Monroe County Health Department HIV/STD Clinic.
How Can You Reach Us?
To make an appointment or to receive additional information regarding our services,please
contact us at (585) 275-3121 or via the Deaf Wellness Center, TTY, (585) 275-6785.
Location
The HIV Mental Health Clinic has offices hours in the following locations:
Strong Behavioral Health
1350 University Avenue
Rochester, New Your 14607
(585) 275-3121
AIDS Rochester, Inc.
1350 University Avenue
Rochester, New Your 14607
(585) 442-2220
1-800-954-2437
1-800-437-0157 (TTY)
Bath, New York
(607) 776-9166
Geneva, New York
(315) 781-6303
Office Hours 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Hours may vary by location.
People living with HIV/AIDS often have unique
challenges. Some of these challenges can lead to significant changes in a sense of
well-being. Common feelings are depression, fear, anxiety, anger, grief, and loneliness.
