About us
Conscious Girlfriend Academy is a global school and community for lesbians and queer women, meeting live on Zoom year-round, and hosting several in-person retreats each year. This is a place to make real friends, build community, and learn and practice skills for the healthy, happy relationship you want and deserve. (And yes, though we are not a dating site, some women do find love here, too.)
Combining cutting-edge neuroscience, relationship research and attachment theory with decades of lived lesbian/queer experience, the Academy provides a uniquely empowering dating and love education for lesbians ages 20s-80s. If you're ready to be done with heartbreak, falling for unavailable women, drama and pain, and discover the path to truly nourishing, joyful, lasting lesbian/queer love, we've got you covered.
We began with the Amazon-bestselling book, Conscious Lesbian Dating & Love, which has changed lives in 25 countries since it was published in 2015. Start reading the book free right here: https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/book
As demand grew, so did our program, becoming an online academy with weekly courses, groups and skill-building labs all year round. Communication, emotional intimacy, sexuality, compatibility, heartbreak healing, nervous system regulation, attachment, how to actually date as a woman-loving-woman of any age -- you can learn it all here, in programs designed to meet the unique needs of our community.
Lesbian relationships can be the best relationships on the planet -- but they can also be train wrecks, if you don't have the skills to both choose the right partner, and be the right partner. Here you'll get the clarity, confidence, mentorship and support to find and create the love of your dreams. While members often say they wish they'd found us years or decades ago, it is truly never too late.
Hear from some of our members:
“Now, from the Academy, I have a roadmap available to me to start me on the process of consciously dating, weeding out based on red flags and non-negotiables…. I have a toolbox to help me ascertain if someone is going to be a good fit… I have a boatload of new, conscious friends …I am more comfortable and confident being in the world.” – Marge, U.S.
“I am just so grateful for your teaching and guidance in getting through all the complexities of our triggers, trauma, longings for connection and the things that get in the way. Looking so forward to ongoing learning with you!" – JW, Canada
“In November 2018, I finished your 12-week Roadmap class. Prior to that I had been trying unsuccessfully to date for years, with over 100 first dates that never went anywhere. Your class made the difference. Six days later, I met Marci on a dating site. We dated for 15 months, then married. We’re an incredible match in so many ways that we can’t believe it ourselves… She is 68 and I just turned 71.” – Diana, U.S.
"I have found this class to be transformative. Can’t think of a better word to describe what I have experienced. I am definitely not the same woman who signed up for this three months ago!" – D., Australia
Check out our upcoming schedule of events here: https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/schedule
Learn more about our program here: https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/program
Read some of our happy love stories here: https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/lesbian-love-stories
Learn about our Conscious Lesbians 60+ group here: https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/lesbians-over-60-support-group
Learn about our support for Later In Life Lesbians here: https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/coming-out-support-group
Check out our next live retreat here:
https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/lesbian-retreat
Prefer 1:1 support? See our Conscious Girlfriend Academy Certified Coaches here.
https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/coaches
Take a chance, check us out, change your life. Your lesbian/queer heart is worth it.
We are trans-affirming, diversity-celebrating, and provide scholarships where needed.
Upcoming events
3
- Network event
Dating Conversations: The Ones We Need to Have (But Often Don't Know How)
·OnlineOnline5 attendees from 24 groupsDating can be exciting, hopeful, awkward, vulnerable, and sometimes downright confusing.
Many of us never learned how to have some of the most important conversations that arise while dating. How do you tell someone you're interested? How do you kindly let them know you're not? How do you ask someone to slow down when things are moving faster than feels comfortable? When should you talk about attachment styles, past relationships, or trauma history? And how do you navigate all of this without turning every date into a therapy session?
In our recent classes, we've explored topics like limerence and the tendency many lesbians and queer women have to dive in deep, fast, and with our whole hearts. This next conversation builds on that foundation.
Together we'll explore:
• How to express interest clearly and authentically
• How to communicate when you're not feeling a romantic connection
• How to ask for a slower pace without creating distance
• When and how to talk about attachment patterns
• Sharing trauma history thoughtfully and responsibly
• Navigating vulnerability while still allowing connection to unfold naturally
• How to stay connected to yourself while getting to know someone newWhether you're actively dating, thinking about dating, or simply wanting healthier relationship skills, this conversation is for you.
Because attraction is only the beginning. The conversations you make happen that follow often shape what comes next.Check out the Skills Lab and sign up for membership or a free intake here to have a one-time class trial. A Meetup RSVP alone won't get you in. This event is cross-posted in many places, and there will likely be 40-60 participants with whom you can interact in breakout groups.
If you would like a one time free trial experience of the Skills Lab, you can set up a call with our Outreach Director here to have a quick chat or you can send an email to outreach@consciousgirlfriend.com.
Conscious Girlfriend Academy is a global online school and community supporting lesbians, queer women and adjacent non-binary people that exists to help us SOLVE our unique dating and love challenges, We offer classes, group coaching, and skill-building sessions to help you get the love life outcome you really want. You don't have to go it alone. Change happens so much faster in supportive queer community.
Click here to learn more about the Dating & Love Skills Lab, the Academy membership program, and how to schedule a free intake session, which could allow you to try out the Lab free for a night.
Not ready to take that step? You can also click here to start reading our Amazon bestseller, Conscious Lesbian Dating & Love, free.
We're here to support you in living your best lesbian or queer life 🏳️🌈💞Conscious Girlfriend Academy is the leading global resource supporting lesbians, sapphics, and other women-loving-women with the conscious dating and love tools we need... for the relationships we want and deserve. Learn more at www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com
- Network event
Conscious Lesbians 60+ Online Connection & Support Group
·OnlineOnline3 attendees from 23 groupsOur Conscious Lesbians 60+ Group meets weekly, all year round! Members are long-time lesbians, women new to being out, and everything in between, from ages 60s-80s. Group includes singles, widows and partnered women.
RSVP to this meetup and set up a time to have a brief chat with our Outreach Director before coming to a free trial 60+ class on this calendar link:
https://calendly.com/jenniferleesolin/pre-free-trial-meeting-callOur membership community includes all kinds of interesting people and deep thinkers and feelings, including practicing and retired artists, musicians, writers, therapists, teachers, doctors, authors, and spiritual practitioners.
What we all have in common, besides being lesbian, bisexual, pansexual or queer, is an orientation toward being conscious -- mindful, compassionate, curious, open-hearted and supportive.
Aging often brings isolation and loss. As we get older, most of us face health challenges, and so do the people we love. Often we lose people who are dear to us. Of course, this is true for everyone, but can be especially challenging for lesbians/queer people.
We have to continually re-imagine ourselves in order to live lives we love, especially with the impact of climate change, politics and other world events. Loneliness takes a big toll. We need each other.
So, we gather each week to talk about things that matter, make new friends, support each other through challenging moments, celebrate each other through good times, and enhance each other's lives with kindness, deep listening, a sense of community, and fun.
This group is a project of the Conscious Girlfriend Academy, the leading global resource supporting lesbians and queer women with healthy dating, love and community.
By the way, this group has an existing monthly membership of 20-40 women and is cross-posted on 26 Meetups around the world, so don't be discouraged if you don't see RSVPs in your local group!
The 60+ group is a social and emotional connection group. There is no curriculum other than sharing and friendship.
If you're looking for life-changing classes on lesbian/queer dating and love, and weekly coach-led skill-building groups, you can find all that in the Conscious Girlfriend Academy. When you join the Academy, the Conscious Lesbian 60+ Group is included as a free bonus!
Quite a few women participate in both 60+ and the Academy. Of course, you can also choose just one. Either way, if you want to be among introspective, compassionate, growth-oriented lesbians over 60, we've got you covered.
>Check out our vibe and get on our mailing list here.
>Check out our current and upcoming calendar of all Conscious Girlfriend Academy events here -- including weekly Coming Out Empowerment, Skill-Building Labs, live classes on Lesbian Dating, and even live in-person retreats :)
Membership in Conscious Lesbians 60+ is monthly. To try out the group free, please email us at ruth@consciousgirlfriend.com, and we'll ask you to set up an intake with our Outreach Director to make sure it's a good fit, before sending the Zoom link. This is to keep the group safe. A Meetup RSVP alone will not get you in. Thanks for your understanding :)
- Network event
LIVE In Person Conscious Lesbian Retreat In The Catskills, NY Aug 26-30
Honors Haven Resort & Spa, 1195 Arrowhead Rd, Ellenville, NY, US5 attendees from 23 groupsGet the full Conscious Lesbian/Queer retreat details right here on our website :)
August 26-30, 2026
Lesbian/Queer Dating Essentials
Learning & Connection Retreat
Honors Haven Retreat Center:
Mountain paradise with lakes, trails & saunas
Ellenville, NY (two hours from NYC)The August retreat is an intimate gathering (25-30 people) which will immerse you
in a 3-day program on the fundamentals of smart-for-your-heart lesbian/queer dating.Details for August 26-30 Lesbian Dating Essentials Retreat in the Catskills, NY
ABOUT CONSCIOUS GIRLFRIEND ACADEMY LEARNING RETREATS:
Conscious Girlfriend Academy has been providing transformational lesbian retreats since 2015, and we literally wrote the book on conscious lesbian dating and love. Most of our retreats are for Academy members only. However, we also offer occasional "learning retreats," where non-members can attend to have an in-person four-day immersion in the same curriculum our online courses cover.
TIMES AND DATES FOR THE LESBIAN DATING ESSENTIALS LEARNING RETREAT:
We'll be gathering on Wednesday, August 26 at 4:00 p.m., and will be together until Sunday, August 30 at 12 noon. All of your meals from Wednesday dinner through Sunday breakfast will be included.
PROGRAM:- The retreat will include four hours daily of classroom time and experiential learning on Lesbian Dating Essentials -- including how to prepare yourself for dating, gain clarity about your needs and vision, build confidence, find women to date, and date in smart-for-your-heart ways.
- Each day will also include structured connection time to help you build friendships and community with other participants. Many attendees make lifelong friendships.
- Plus, we'll have fun! Walking, swimming, boating, jacuzzi and sauna time, campfires with s'mores, music-making and singing -- it's like lesbian summer camp.
Whether you've been out for decades but "never really dated" (as so many lesbians say), are recovering after a big loss, or are new to dating women, this retreat will be life changing!
EXTENDING YOUR LEARNING POST-RETREAT:
If you choose, you can extend your retreat experience by becoming a member of the Conscious Girlfriend Academy, and participating in our online programs for a full year. We've got unbelievable support, including many live classes throughout the year, weekly coach-led skill-building labs, a weekly group for lesbians 60+, and a weekly group for those coming out later in life. Or, you can opt to just take the online Lesbian Dating Essentials 12-week Intensive, held September 19 - December 12, a la carte. Either way, extending your Academy time past the retreat experience will help you deepen your learning and Academy friendships, and give you time to actually put the course material into practice.
WHO THIS RETREAT IS FOR:
Conscious Girlfriend retreat attendees are usually between the ages of 45 and 85. Some are longtime lesbians, while others are newly coming out. We welcome bisexual and queer women and adjacent non-binary people, too. We anticipate approximately 25-30 participants.
VENUE:
We will be staying at Honors Haven resort, a large, beautiful retreat center in the Catskill Mountains in Ellenville, NY, about two hours from NYC. The retreat center has beautiful mountain views, lakes, walking trails, a pool, jacuzzi, saunas, comfortable lodging and great food.
>See the facilities at the Honor's Haven website here
Retreat attendance can only be booked through us, not through the facility.
RETREAT INCLUDES:- Four nights of accommodation in a premium room, single (king) or double (full beds) with private bath and lake, mountain or garden views.
- Delicious buffet-style meals and snacks beginning Wednesday, August 26 at 4:00 p.m., through Sunday, August 30, 12:00 noon. Special dietary needs can be accommodated.
HOW THIS RETREAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
There's really nowhere else you can find this kind of conscious, emotionally intelligent, welcoming lesbian/queer learning environment.
Amazing things happen both at, and after our retreats. For instance, "Ann," who attended last January, arrived knowing no one, and had only met one other lesbian in her life. Now, four months later, she's immersed in supportive lesbian community and is happily in her first lesbian relationship, too. "Jill" came following a fresh heartbreak ("I ignored so many red flags," she admitted ruefully.) Now she's got the confidence to know she won't do that again, plus a whole posse of queer friends supporting her healing process.
FEES:
Early-Bird Rates through June 26, 2026: $2099 single, $1799 double
Rates June 27-August 20 (if available: $2299 single, $1999 double
Not sure if this retreat is right for you? We're glad to have a 1:1 chat to help you figure it out. >Book your phone chat with our warm, wise Outreach Director, Jen, here.
Past events
290
Group links
Members
250
