Linda Kirkman:
Relationship skills for life
I offer sex therapy, counselling, clinical supervision, professional development, seminars on relationships and sexuality from teens to seniors.
I'm based in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, mostly working online and see clients in Europe and Asia.
Sex-thoughtful, diversity-friendly, gender affirming, neurodivergent friendly.
Would you like to enhance your workplace's capacity to respond to matters relating to sexuality and relationships, including policy, staff development, and person-centred care? Would your job be easier if you could develop your comfort level discussing sexuality with clients or students? What would you like to know more about or do better? Professional development can be tailored to suit your specific workplace needs.
LGBTIQA+ Professional development
This professional development is planned in consultation with community organisations and is a mix of infomation and pedagogy based on transformative learning principles.
It aims to promote the well-being of LGBTIQA+ people in the community by promoting knowledge, understanding and skills in the wider community.
- Introductory level:
- Unpacking the LGBTIQA+ acronym and developing an understanding of the implications for community well-being
- Exploring one’s own assumptions, values and beliefs about LGBTIQA+ people
- An understanding of how to use inclusive and respectful language
- Knowledge of where to find further resources and support services.
Starting the conversation about sex: health professionals
How comfortable are you at initiating and conducting conversations about sex and sexuality? Would you like some strategies for working better with clients to address their sexuality and sexual health needs? In this presentation I present information about sexual health and sexuality concerns that your clients might have, and offers strategies for starting the conversation in a way that is safe and inclusive. A resource list will be provided.
For aged care providers and staff
Professional development on the topic of working and communicating more effectively and efficiently around sexuality and relationships with older people. Healthy sexual expression can enhance quality of life at any age, and the evidence supports the benefits of intimate relationships for people in aged care. The professional development can be tailored for individual workplace needs.
What can be covered:
- Complying with workplace policies on person-centred care and quality of life;
- What is included in 'healthy sexuality'? Define terms and expand possibilities beyond limited assumptions;
- Communicating about sexuality and gender in ways that are comfortable and respectful;
- Supporting people with their expression of intimacy as they experience life transitions;
- Raising awareness about ageing and sexual expression;
- Advocacy for excellence in supporting individuals to continue to enjoy sexual intimacy in a psychologically and physically safe environment.
For social workers
This workshop aims to develop understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity so clients of all ages can be supported. This PD covers the terminology of diversity, with time to reflect on personal beliefs and experiences. Participants will learn strategies and build networks to assist with more effective relationships.
For teachers: preparing to teach sex ed
There are some great resources available for teaching sex education but are you or your colleages comfortable to start teaching it? This one day PD will help prepare teachers to approach sex education with confidence and enthusiasm.
Bespoke PD:
What are the unmet needs in how to respond to matters sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and relationships in your workplace? Linda can prepare an evidence-based, friendly, professional development program to suit your needs. Topics include (yet are not limited to): communication skills and consent for adolescents (or any age group), sexuality and ageing, pornography, gender, and feminism.
Fees
Full day PD $2,000. Travel expenses for places outside Bendigo or Melbourne are extra and charged at cost.
Half day $1,100. Travel expenses for places outside Bendigo or Melbourne are extra and charged at cost.
Non-profit organisations or private groups fee by negotiation.
Ageing and sexuality resource list
Resource list: Talking to people 60+ about sex
Contents
Pleasure and rights: WAS declarations: 1
Sex, Age & Me: A National Study of Sex, Sexual Health, and Relationships among Older Australians. 2
Older patients want to talk about sexual health in Australian primary care. 2
Australian veteran sexual health: ‘…you are the first person I’ve spoken to about it.’ 2
Good, yet not as scholarly resources: 4
Joan Price, senior sex educator, writer and advocate. 4
In My Prime Intimacy and Dating. 4
Australian site for women—this page has an excellent resource list. 4
A Touchy Subject--sexual recovery post prostate cancer. 4
Guidance on sexuality and sexual expression in aged care. 4
Magnificent Sex: Lessons from Extraordinary Lovers. 4
Pleasure and rights: WAS declarations: https://www.worldsexualhealth.net/declarations
The Ex-PLISSIT model
P permission given; L limited information; SS specific suggestions; I intensive therapy
Extended PLISSIT places permission-giving at the core.
Notes from -- Rehabilitation: The Use of Theories and Models in Practice
edited by Sally Davis, 2006
When discussing sexual matters with clients: Be purposeful; Don’t make assumptions; Don’t stereotype; Ask questions; Don’t judge people; Use client’s own words and language; Remain professional; Address relationships; Ask when you do not understand a term or activity; Address confidentiality, secrecy and privacy.
Sex, Age & Me: A National Study of Sex, Sexual Health, and Relationships among Older Australians
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/788355/Sex-Age-and-Me-Broadsheet-20170817.pdf
Older patients want to talk about sexual health in Australian primary care
- August 2024 Australian Journal of Primary Health 30(4)
- DOI: 10.1071/PY24016
Background Maintaining sexual health and function is important to many older adults. Although older patients are regular users of primary care, opportunities to address sexual health concerns are missed. Building on interview studies, this research aimed to collect a larger number of older adults’ perspectives to deepen understanding of sexual healthcare needs and formulate recommendations for the Australian primary care context.
Methods As part of the SHAPE2 Survey of older adults’ sexual health information-seeking behaviours, participants (aged ≥60 years and living in Australia) were asked what sexual health issues were most important to them, and the barriers they experienced in managing their sexual health. Data were collected in 2021 in the form of free-text comments. The sub-set of comments that related to healthcare experiences were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Results Out of 1470 survey participants, 864 responded to the relevant questions, and of these 107 wrote about healthcare experiences. Some comments described positive experiences seeking sexual health care; however, the majority outlined barriers to accessing support. Barriers were categorised into seven categories: patient embarrassment, barriers to rapport, uncertainty about finding solutions, ageism, barriers unique to minorities, needing general practitioners to initiate conversations and structural barriers.
Conclusions Older patients want general practitioners to initiate sexual health conversations as part of routine care, and, crucially, sexual issues raised by the patient should be legitimised and treated with due attention. Although challenges, such as time, embarrassment and pressing health concerns, may hamper sexual health discussions, it is important that this area of holistic care is given more attention.
Australian veteran sexual health: ‘…you are the first person I’ve spoken to about it.’
- February 2025 Sexual Health 22(2) DOI: 10.1071/SH24152
Background Sexual health and functioning outcomes have been shown to be poor among veterans due to factors associated with military service, as well as barriers to healthcare access. However, there is currently limited research attempting to assess the scope and extent of these issues in the Australian context.
Methods Ten qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Australian professionals working within or adjacent to veteran sexual health and were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.
Results Sexual health and functioning issues commonly develop among Australian veterans due to a variety of physical, psychological and social factors. Factors include mental ill-health, physical illness and injury, use of medication, and relationship strain. These contribute to physiological dysfunctions, poor sexual behaviours and difficulties in forming healthy, meaningful intimate relationships. Barriers, such as lack of awareness and understanding, stigma, and structural barriers, were suggested to interfere with healthcare access and worsen outcomes. Key informants recommended increasing provider training, research and military support, as well as de-stigmatising sexual health issues.
Conclusions Veteran sexual health is not often on the radar of Australian health and research professionals. Our study is one of few studies in the Australian context, highlighting the need to conduct more research to better manage veteran sexual health and functioning needs.
Midlife relationship diversity, sexual fluidity, wellbeing and sexual health from a rural perspective
Linda Kirkman, Virginia Dickson-Swift & Christopher Fox
To cite this article: Linda Kirkman, Virginia Dickson-Swift & Christopher Fox (2015) Midlife relationship diversity, sexual fluidity, wellbeing and sexual health from a rural perspective,
Rural Society, 24:3, 266-281, DOI: 10.1080/10371656.2015.1099272
To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10371656.2015.1099272
People in midlife are having sexual relationships outside hetero-monogamy and marriage which contribute positively to their wellbeing. For rural people who are in a non-traditional relationship, confidentiality, access to sexual health services, and stigma are concerns. In this qualitative research project we investigate the experience and wellbeing of 22 rural baby boomers who had a friends-with-benefits relationship within the previous five years. A fear of judgement about their sex lives for some led to a need for secrecy and concern about being seen with partners. Use of health services for sexual health was mixed: many would not ask for testing and some who did were challenged or refused. Four participants’ experiences are the focus of this article. Recommendations are made for policy, health practitioner education, clinical guidelines, sexual health promotion, and informal community activities to promote good sexual health and relationship wellbeing for people in midlife.
Good, yet not as scholarly resources:Joan Price, senior sex educator, writer and advocate
Books include Naked at Our Age; The Ultimate Guide to Sex after 50; Sex After Grief; Better Than I ever Expected
Joan has a blog, writes regular columns, and has webinars available. Joan, with jessica drake, won Best Niche Production at The AVN Awards 2020 for their film 'Guide to Wicked Sex: Senior Sex'
In My Prime Intimacy and Dating
https://inmyprime.org.au/health-wellbeing/intimacy-and-dating/
Australian site for women—this page has an excellent resource listA Touchy Subject--sexual recovery post prostate cancer
https://www.youtube.com/atouchysubject
Specific, positive and explicit about sex after prostate cancer, Australian based.
Guidance on sexuality and sexual expression in aged care
Magnificent Sex: Lessons from Extraordinary Lovers
By Peggy J. Kleinplatz and A. Dana Menard, 2020, Routledge
M: 0419402373 E: linda@lindakirkman.org
Relationship skills for life
©Linda Kirkman 2025
