FAP San Bernardino
362 Orange Show Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92408
T (909) 884-2722 • F (909) 884-2732
Website: http://fapinfo.org
January 23, 2007

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Mr. James Driskill has been a client of mine for Individual Psychotherapy since October 30, 2006. He has been attending Foothill AIDS Project's (FAP) “Living Well With HIV/AIDS'' men's Support Group on a weekly basis since September 2006. He was self-referred for Individual Psychotherapy.

Mr. Driskill sought treatment for a high level of stress and anxiety primarily regarding his housing situation. He became homeless in Oakland earlier in 2006 and is currently residing with his family and extended Family in San Bernardino. In addition to his unresolved eviction in Oakland he was not able to secure immediate housing through the AIDS Housing Program in San Bernardino County due to a waiting period for each new applicant. These events resulted in Mr. Driskill experiencing a high level of anger and frustration.

While in both settings of therapy, Men’s Support Group or Individual Psychotherapy, Mr. Driskill accepts the fact that he has an upfront, in your face style of confrontation. The men and I have come to realize that his style is primarily a reaction to his extreme level of frustration and we have learned not to be put off by his style. In these affirming settings he has learned to modify his style of confrontation which should continue to improve.  I have also been impressed with how Mr. Driskill has sought out resources on how to understand and to cope more effectively while experiencing an almost complete lack of support from agencies and individuals.  One such resource was the book “Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types”, Kiersey, Davis and Bates, Marilyn.

His Mental Health and HIV Health status were both clinically affected by his housing crisis in Oakland and here in San Bernardino. He is currently responding well to the treatments and his prognosis is good.  However, I believe that until there is an appropriate resolution (he wants an absolution) of his housing conflicts, he will remain in a vulnerable state regarding his overall HIV and Mental Health status.

Sincerely,

Howard W. Newsom PhD.
PSY-8868
E-mail: howard@fapinfo.org