Links to Miriam’s publications and papers below:
We are given so many messages from the beginning of our life about who we should be, how we should feel, what we should want, it can be confusing and difficult at times when we may feel that who were are inside doesn’t match the expectations of the world around us. One of those difficult times maybe letting ourselves discover our sexuality, which Miriam believes is actually as unique as each person is unique.
Our desire to belong, to fit in to groups may compete with who we really are. For some people, being open about their sexuality can result in rejection from their family or social group. Some people find that their sexuality changes through life but the world seems to insist on a loyalty to staying the same. Sadly this aspect of our humaness which should give us a lot of happiness, and which can help us to bond and become close with another, can cause a lot of sadness, rejection and pain. Get help now or read on.
It is important to find someone you can talk to who will not judge you but help you unfold your uniqueness. Whether it is coming to terms with your own level of sexual desire, or your preference for a same gendered partner, the impact of illness, injury or trauma or a clash in your relationship dynamics, acceptance is usually a good place to start. In therapy you can explore what you feel blocks you from either knowing who you are or even when you know, what stops you from expressing who you are.
Your difficulties may also be helped by relationship counselling or be rooted in fears from childhood (see abuse). If you want to talk about these issues, contact Miriam at Blue Skies.
Miriam recommends her groups as a way of reducing isolation and increasing a sense of identity. Her Coming Out Later group and Life after Love group are specifically centered around sexuality, and her Nourish and Nurture groups for all women contain a good mixture of sexual orientations and a huge amount of warmth and acceptance.
Coming Out Later in Life
Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories + Support Season 2
click on the title to listen Miriam being interviewed in this podcast about women seeking therapy for coming out later in life
Click on the title to read a discussion.
Miriam Grace talks to Anne-Marie Zanzal. Miriam and Anne-Marie have worked with women coming out later in life for the last several years. The following is a conversation between the two of them that explores what it means to fall in love with a catalyst (the woman who opens up our sexuality for some of us) and how to move on when things go wrong.
Therapy for Later in Life Lesbians – publications and research
Queering the Gestalt
by published by Routledge
Chapter 6 by Miriam Grace:
“‘Selfish and Destructive’:
Where does the
late in life lesbian
seek therapeutic support?”.
Enjoying the sunshine and the hardcopy of Queering the Gestalt
April 2023
There is a 30 second ‘bite’ here re my group but if it cuts out and you want to finish the video you need to click on the ‘watch on you tube’ button….