Sensate Focus Therapy: How It Works & What to Expect

What Is Sensate Focus?

Sensate focus was developed by pioneers in sexuality research, Dr. William Masters and Dr. Virginia Johnson, in 1970. This technique promotes the elimination of performance expectations that can lead to sexual anxiety, which negatively impacts sexual intimacy. Each person is encouraged to maintain their focus on the sensory experience while using non-verbal communication to express their comfort and desired touch.

Sensate focus helps to achieve the three elements needed for a positive sexual experience: willingness, relaxation, and sensuality.¹ By refocusing the attention away from the expectations that lead to feelings of anxiety, people can focus on enjoying the sensations they are experiencing in their bodies. When engaging in mindful touching, the receiver of the touch is encouraged to focus on temperature, pressure, and texture.² These three sensations will be reflected throughout the stages of sensate focus.

Sensuality Vs. Sexuality

In this therapy, couples focus on sensuality rather than sexuality, setting boundaries that keep intercourse, oral sex, and the touching of genitals or breasts off limits in order to focus only on the sensual aspects of touch.³ This removes pressure to respond in a certain way, and serves to break old patterns of behavior within the couple’s intimate relationship. Couples may find that these exercises actually help reawaken both their sensuality and their sexuality.

What Is Sensate Focus Therapy?

Sensate focus therapy is an approach to sex therapy that enables partners to touch one another to eliminate stress and anxiety around sexual intimacy. A sex therapist will help to facilitate these exercises by assigning them as homework for partners to try together when they are intimate. Over time, the goal is that sensate focus therapy will help to reduce any performance anxiety and sexual expectations so partners can enjoy the experience they have together and focus on the present moment.

When Is Sensate Focus Therapy Used?

Sensate focus has been successful in treating various difficulties that negatively impact sexual intimacy. This includes anxiety associated with body image, arousal, performance issues like premature ejaculation or orgasmic difficulties, as well as chronic illnesses. Although this technique was originally developed for use with heterosexual couples, sex therapists have modified sensate focus therapy to accommodate the needs of diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals and those with disabilities.

The Phases of Sensate Focus

Sensate focus should begin with designating roughly 30 minutes to an hour of uninterrupted time, two to three times a week, to practice these steps. The room should be a comfortable temperature, with no distractions, such as electronics, pets, or stimulating sounds or music.

It is also recommended that alcohol or recreational drug use is avoided, as it will impact your ability to experience the sensations naturally. Couples are required to abstain from penetration, intercourse, or orgasm while they progress through the directed stages. This helps to alleviate the pressure and anxiety around performing so that each person can focus on experiencing the sensations of temperature, pressure, and texture.

Stage 1: Non-Genital Sensual Touch

Each partner takes turns exploring the other’s body (individuals would engage in self-exploration) while avoiding sexually stimulating areas, such as the genitals and breasts. Touch, using hands and fingers only, should focus on experimenting with sensations such as temperature, pressure, and texture. The receiving partner is encouraged to provide non-verbal feedback, such as placing their hand over their partner’s as a guide to location and pressure.

This exercise helps to decrease anxiety associated with intimacy by giving the receiver of the touch something reliable to focus on (sensations) as well as an activity they can directly control (where and how they are being touched), as opposed to something unreliable (emotions) with a response they cannot control (sexual arousal).⁴

Stage 2: Sensual Touch (Including Genitals)

Continue to explore the pleasurable areas identified in stage one. At this stage, you may include the exploration of the genitals and breasts, but continue to avoid intercourse or penetration. Although arousal and orgasm may occur at this stage, as it is a natural response, it is not the goal. The focus is to continue to increase personal pleasure associated with being touched and awareness of response to stimulation. Further, this stage helps to maintain the feeling of safety and trust while being touched without pressure to perform.

Stage 3: Adding Lotion & Lubricant

Adding lotion and lubricant can increase friction and sensation, making the experience more pleasurable. It also helps those with sensitive skin to feel more comfortable in the process. Altering the medium of touch is intended to enhance sensory awareness. Couples are encouraged to avoid using cold oils and lotions, and instead warm them ahead of time.⁵

Stage 4: Mutual Touching

In this stage of sensate focus, the partners are invited to touch one another at the same time, not to achieve sexual arousal but to simply notice and experience the sensations and emotions of physical touch. They can use their lips and tongues to engage in this step, while avoiding kissing and oral sex, in order to break free from old sexual patterns and gain a new appreciation for sensuality in the relationship.

Stage 5: Intercourse

The final stage of therapy is sensual intercourse. Rather than falling into habits of sexual intercourse focused purely on achieving orgasm, sensual intercourse invites couples to mindfully continue noticing the sensations and emotions that occur through this special kind of physical touch. Slowing down and practicing mindfulness in this way is meant to enhance the couple’s sexual experience and relationship.⁵

Does Sensate Focus Work?

Senate focus has been used effectively with couples and individuals since the 1900s.² Its effectiveness is greatly dependent on the compliance of the individuals to the therapist’s assignments. For those of diverse backgrounds, sensate focus therapy helps to increase sexual satisfaction.⁶ Sensate focus therapy has also helped women improve their overall sexual function after giving birth.⁷ Sensate focus therapy was also helpful for men who experience delayed ejaculation as well as chronic masturbation.⁸

Sensate Focus for ED

Sensate focus can be helpful for people with erectile dysfunction (ED), as it takes the focus off of performance and sexual intercourse, allowing the person to enjoy sensual touch all over the body, and enhancing intimacy. When treating sexual dysfunction, sensate focus is an important component, in addition to sex education, relaxation techniques, and medication.⁹

Sensate Focus for Sexual Performance Anxiety

For those who feel so nervous that they cannot have or enjoy sex, sensate focus therapy can reduce performance anxiety related to sex, and increase confidence and pleasure. By slowing down and practicing mindfulness during sensual touching exercises, a person with sexual performance anxiety can reduce stress and let go of performance-related fears.

When Not to Use Sensate Focus

Sensate focus is a safe technique that is easy to follow. The techniques, however, should be used under the guidance of a trained professional based on treatment factors, such as sexual history and physical exam. People should disclose relevant history with their therapist, such as sexual trauma or medical conditions, as that will influence the course of treatment and its success.

Also, sensate focus should not be used with individuals who have highly internalized performance demands. Using these techniques with these people could lead to experiencing anxiety around not performing or becoming aroused, despite directions around not feeling pressure to perform.¹

How to Find a Sex Therapist

The process of finding a sex therapist is similar to finding an individual or couples’ therapist. One option would be to contact your insurance company directly for a list of providers and look for one who specializes in sex therapy or sexual health related topics. Another option would be to search an online therapy directory for a sex therapist. This option would give direct access to each therapist’s profile, which would likely also list the insurance plans they accept.

You could also search AASECT.org (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) for a list of certified sex therapists. These sex therapists have undergone specialized training around sexual health and sex therapy techniques, such as senate focus, all under the guidance of experienced clinical supervisors.