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David Robert Romanelli, PhD, is a 2026 graduate of the PhD program in Counselor Education & Supervision, Antioch University, Seattle.

Anthony Vajda, PhD, Committee Chair

Stephanie Thorson-Olesen, PhD, Committee Member

J. Richelle Joe, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

HIV, mental health, counselor education, men’s mental health, people living with HIV, qualitative research

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of men (18+ years old) living with HIV to better understand how they navigate identity, mental health, relationships, and healthcare systems after diagnosis. The method included a qualitative thematic analysis with 10 participants. Eight themes emerged from the data: (1) reactions, reflections, and meaning-making after diagnosis; (2) managing medication, treatment, and co-occurring conditions; (3) stigma, disclosure, and negotiation of identity; (4) substance use, housing instability, and socioeconomic stressors; (5) navigating the changing HIV landscape; (6) experiences with family and intimate relationships; (7) implications for mental health counseling; and (8) the role of community support, workforce reintegration, and comprehensive care. The results highlight important implications for counseling practice, counselor education, clinical supervision, and advocacy efforts. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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David Robert Romanelli, PhD, 2026
ORC iD 0009-0007-5562-1268

Dr. David Romanelli (he/him) is a Seattle-based counselor educator and emerging scholar whose work focuses on meaning-making, identity, and counseling approaches that foster resilience and holistic well-being among marginalized populations. He holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Antioch University and a master’s in School Counseling from the University of Maryland, College Park. David is a licensed mental health counselor and a Washington State–approved supervisor. His clinical and research interests include HIV-related stigma and mental health, relational dynamics within queer communities, and social justice–oriented counseling and advocacy for targeted populations. His work is grounded in affirming frameworks that attend to the intersections of identity, power, and systemic inequities. In addition to his scholarship, Dr. Romanelli maintains a private practice, working with adults as they navigate identity development, relationships, and life transitions. He is also actively involved in clinical supervision, supporting counseling associates as they enter the field and develop culturally responsive, ethically grounded, and socially conscious approaches. His recent qualitative research examines how men living with HIV navigate identity, relationships, and engagement with care after diagnosis. Drawing on strengths-based, intersectional, and social justice–oriented frameworks, Dr. Romanelli integrates clinical practice, research, and training to prepare counselors to deliver affirming care and advocate for systemic change.

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