Striving Towards EmPowerment and Medication Adherence R01

This in-person STEP-AD intervention will consist of 10 sessions. Session 1: Life Steps Adherence Session 2: Psychoeducation on the treatment model Session 3: Substance Use and Enhancing Resilience Session 4: Trauma Impact Session 5: Cognitive Restructuring Session 6: Racial Discrimination Impact and Coping Session 7: HIV Stigma Impact and Coping Session 8: Gender-related Stressors and Coping Session 9: Body Image and Healthy Relationships Session 10: Practice, Review, and Relapse Prevention. Each session lasts for about 40 to 60 minutes.

Participants assigned to the E-TAU condition will receive 10 in person sessions to ensure comparable contact time with study staff and identical incentives. The first session will consist of a session on healthy living with HIV (CDC content on HIV 101 \[highlights importance of engaging in care, adhering to medication, finding support\], nutrition, and physical activity. The remaining 9 sessions will consist of neutral (daily events) writing. Women will be asked to write a description of their plans for the next 24 hours.