Training on the development of psychological support skills for people living with HIV

June 2, 2026

On May 21-22, in Almaty, KNCDIZ, with the support of the EpiC project, held a two-day training "Developing skills in psychological support and counseling of HIV clients for psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists of HIV centers and specialists from partner non-governmental organizations."

The training was attended by 29 representatives from all regions of Kazakhstan, including psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists and nurses from HIV centers, as well as equal navigators from EpiC's partner organizations, the Answer Foundation and You are Not Alone Foundation.
The purpose of the training was to improve the quality of psychological counseling for people living with HIV and strengthen the skills of specialists in supporting adherence to antiretroviral therapy. The program covered the issues of identifying mental disorders, counseling on treatment adherence, the use of motivational counseling and interdepartmental interaction.
During the training, participants reviewed the regulatory and legal aspects of the work of the psychological service in HIV centers, issues of documentation, routing clients to specialized specialists, and cooperation between the HIV service and the mental health system.
Experts from the Republican Center for Mental Health presented modern approaches to dealing with depressive and anxiety disorders, as well as addictions in PLHIV. A separate session of the EpiC team was devoted to effective motivational counseling tools to support commitment to ART.
The practical part of the training included the development of counseling skills and the use of motivational counseling tools adapted by the EpiC project to work with PLHIV. The participants also received flip flipcharts for consultants developed by the project, which contain practical consulting tools and algorithms for daily work with clients.
The training was an important step in strengthening the capacity of HIV service specialists and partner organizations, as well as in improving the quality of support for people living with HIV.

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