Sensate focus: a critical literature review

Couple therapy, family therapy and systemic interventions for adult‐focused problems: the current evidence base

“…Narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and a major meta‐analysis conclude that couples treated with psychosocial interventions show greater improvements than untreated controls (Berner and Günzler, ; Frühauf et al ., ; Günzler and Berner, ; Linschoten et al ., ; Segraves, ). In a meta‐analysis of twenty studies, Frühauf et al .…”

“…Relationship distress typically accompanies clinically significant sexual difficulties (McCarthy and Wald, 2016;Weeks and Gambescia, 2015). Narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and a major meta-analysis conclude that couples treated with psychosocial interventions show greater improvements than untreated controls Fr€ uhauf et al, 2013;G€ unzler and Berner, 2012;Linschoten et al, 2016;Segraves, 2015). In a meta-analysis of twenty studies, Fr€ uhauf et al (2013) found an effect size of 0.58 across all disorders indicating that the average treated couple fared better after therapy than 73 per cent of cases in waiting-list control groups.…”

“…Most studies included in this meta-analysis evaluated interventions that combined elements of Masters and Johnson's (1970) sex therapy with various cognitive behavioural interventions. Masters and Johnson's sex therapy is couple-based and includes psychoeducation about the sexual response cycle, counselling, and exercises such as sensate focus (Linschoten et al, 2016). In this exercise couples are invited initially to refrain from sexual intercourse, but rather to give and receive pleasurable caresses, along a graded sequence progressing over a number of weeks from non-sexual, to increasingly sexual areas of the body, culminating in full intercourse.…”

Sexual Wellness and Rare Disease Considerations: A Behavioral Case Conceptualization and Approach to Counseling Treatment

“…Sensate focus. Sensate focus can also be used as an alternative to systematic desensitization that involves moving through a hierarchy of intimate behaviors with a partner, so as to reduce fear associated with engaging in intimate and sexual behaviors (Linschoten, Weiner, & Avery-Clark, 2016;Weiner, Cannon, & Avery-Clark, 2014). Sensate focus involves five stages which focus on intimate touching for one's own understanding of how temperature, pressure, and texture affect the individual's physical sensations (Weiner et al, 2014).…”

“…However, the importance of communicating intimate and sexual needs has been found to be crucial for emotional well-being, especially that of women (Ferroni & Taffe, 1997). For individuals experiencing fear of verbally asserting their needs and limits, sensate focus may provide a nonverbal way to assert one's physical preferences and improve overall communication within relationships (Linschoten et al, 2016). The use of handriding -placing one's hand over a partner's hand during sensate focus to non-verbally communicate positive or negative sensations -may positively reinforce and communicate behaviors leading to comfortable sensations while negatively punishing and communicating behaviors leading to uncomfortable sensations (Weiner et al, 2014).…”