Therapy with Women in the Later Stages of Life

This paper addresses the importance of a creative spiritual evolution for the woman in later stages in her life, the unique difficulties she faces in pursuing this aspect of her being, and the clinician's role in helping her meet this life challenge and opportunity. In the ongoing process of self-creation, relevant models and symbols become important sources of direction and inspiration. However, for the aging woman, Western culture and religion offer few nourishing images and the quest for spiritual and creative growth can become a lonely and frightening one. As clinicians, we can help to change this experience by working with clients to identify, generate and integrate symbols and psychological paradigms that will energize the realization of evolving need and potential.