Sensate focus - meaning and definition
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Definition
Sensate focus is a structured set of touching exercises used in sex therapy to reduce pressure and anxiety and help partners pay attention to sensation rather than performance.
At a glance
- Sensate focus is a structured set of touching exercises used in sex therapy.
- Couples usually start with non-genital touch and agree that sex is temporarily off the table.
- Later stages gradually widen what is included.
- It is used for concerns such as performance anxiety, low desire and pain.
In detail
William Masters and Virginia Johnson introduced sensate focus in the 1960s. Couples typically begin with non-genital touch and agree that sex is temporarily off the table, which removes the goal and lets them notice what they feel. Later stages gradually widen what is included.
The technique is used for concerns such as performance anxiety, low desire, pain and reconnecting after a difficult period. It is usually guided by a sex therapist who adapts the steps to the couple and checks in on how each stage felt.
In a sentence
- Our sex therapist suggested sensate focus to take the pressure off.
- The first week of sensate focus was just about noticing touch, with no goal at all.
Where the word comes from
William Masters and Virginia Johnson developed sensate focus in the 1960s and described it in their 1970 book Human Sexual Inadequacy.
Not to be confused with
- Sensation play
Sensation play is a kink practice exploring different sensations; sensate focus is a therapeutic exercise to reduce performance pressure.
Common questions
How does sensate focus work?
Partners take turns touching each other in structured stages, starting with non-genital touch and agreeing that sex is not the goal. Removing the goal lets them notice sensation instead of performance. It is usually guided by a sex therapist who adapts the steps.