Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewSample ExerciseUsesEffectivenessFinding a Therapist

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Overview

Sample Exercise

Uses

Effectiveness

Finding a Therapist

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Sex therapy is a form ofpsychotherapythat is used to help individuals and couples address sexual problems. Sex therapy is talk therapy, not hands-on therapy. In a sex therapy session, everyone in the room remains fully clothed, and there is no touching.

Sex therapists may recommend getting physical exams in order to rule out medical causes of sexual problems. Some may also encourage the use ofsexual surrogatesfor individuals who are working on sexual problems and do not have a partner to practice with. However, sex therapists do not perform medical exams on or have sexual interactions with their clients.

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What Is Sensate Focus?

Foundation of Sensate FocusThere are seven elements that serve as the foundation of sensate focus. These are:Establishing mutual responsibility between partners for addressingsexual needsand concernsProviding information and education about sexual function and sexual activityBeing willing to change attitudes about sexGetting rid of sexual performance anxietyHelping couples improve communication around sex and sexual techniquesReducing problematic behaviors and sex roles in the relationshipGiving homework to help couples change their sexual relationship for the better

Foundation of Sensate Focus

There are seven elements that serve as the foundation of sensate focus. These are:Establishing mutual responsibility between partners for addressingsexual needsand concernsProviding information and education about sexual function and sexual activityBeing willing to change attitudes about sexGetting rid of sexual performance anxietyHelping couples improve communication around sex and sexual techniquesReducing problematic behaviors and sex roles in the relationshipGiving homework to help couples change their sexual relationship for the better

There are seven elements that serve as the foundation of sensate focus. These are:

Structured homework assignments are the component that separates sensate focus from otherbehavioral techniques. The hallmark of sensate focus is that it temporarily takes stressful behaviors off a couple’s sexual menu. Then, with the sources ofstressremoved, the therapist prescribes a specific recipe of steps to follow to improve the couple’s sexual lives.

Sample Sensate Focus Exercise

Two of the principal goals of sensate focus are reducing performance anxiety andimproving communication. A typical early homework assignment for a couple where one partner is experiencing erectile dysfunction might go something like this:

“I want you two to find two nights over the next week where you can spend at least an hour together. One of you will arrange the date on the first night, the other on the second. Whoever is arranging the date will set up the bedroom with clean sheets, nice light, and pleasant music that you two find relaxing.

“Before your date, you’ll each take a warm shower to relax. Since you’ve told me you’d prefer to be wearing underwear for this first exercise, you’ll do that. Then, the person setting up the date will help their partner get comfortable on the bed. They’ll then spend half an hour exploring and enjoying the sensation of touching their partner’s body. For now, we’re going to avoid touching genitals, as we want to keep this experience low stress.

“After a half hour, you will switch. Then the other partner will have a chance to do the same type of exploration. The goal of this homework is not to give your partner a massage. Instead, it’s to find enjoyment in touching, and being touched, without any expectations. That’s why it’s important to communicate throughout this date. Tell your partner what you like and what you don’t like. Let them know what feels good, and if there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you’d like them to stop.”

Why Sensate Focus Is Used

As a component of sex therapy, sensate focus has been shown to be effective at treating a number of different types of sexual dysfunction in women and men, including:

Sensate focus is a couples-based intervention. It can be used for couples of all different ages, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Much of the research has been for heterosexual couples. Still, many therapists have adopted it for same sex and diverse orientation couples.

There is a lot of research examining the use of sensate focus, alone or in combination with other techniques, to improve couples’ sexual satisfaction.

Studies suggest that sensate focus is useful not just for addressing specific sexual problems but also for helping to improve sexual satisfaction in couples with more general dissatisfaction.

That’s particularly true when it is used in combination with good education about sexual performance and function. Sensate focus is a very safe technique, and most individuals find it easy to follow. That is, in large part, because sensate focus is specifically designed as a slow and gentle process of reducing performance anxiety and stress around sexual activity.

Many sex therapists report that sensate focus is a straightforward and effective way to increase intimacy and connection among couples, same-sex and opposite-sex alike. However, not all couples or individual therapists are comfortable using sensate focus.

It’s a technique that requires a great deal of comfort with discussion of explicit sexual topics. That’s not something everyone has.

How to Find a Sex Therapist

There are several ways to go about finding a sex therapist. The most affordable is often to search the provider list for your insurance company. Look for a behavioral health practitioner who specializes in sex therapy.

You can also search therapist listings, like Psychology Today, for sex therapists and cross-reference that with your insurance list. Finally, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists maintains a list of sex therapists on their website at AASECT.org. AASECTcertified sex therapistsare required to undergo both training and clinical supervision in sexual health and therapy techniques.

Be aware that not all sex therapists take insurance. The cost of sex therapy is likely to vary depending on where you live.

That said, sex therapy is often time-limited. Pure sex therapy is generally expected to last no more than 10-12 sessions. However, the number of sessions you need will vary depending on the problems you are looking to address and whether you are seeing a sex therapist for general therapy as well.

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sarwer DB, Durlak JA.A field trial of the effectiveness of behavioral treatment for sexual dysfunctions.J Sex Marital Ther. 1997;23(2):87-97. doi:10.1080/00926239708405309Avery-Clark C, Weiner L, Adams-Clark AA.Sensate Focus for Sexual Concerns: an Updated, Critical Literature Review.Curr Sex Health Rep. 2019;11(2):84-94. doi:10.1007/s11930-019-00197-9

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sarwer DB, Durlak JA.A field trial of the effectiveness of behavioral treatment for sexual dysfunctions.J Sex Marital Ther. 1997;23(2):87-97. doi:10.1080/00926239708405309Avery-Clark C, Weiner L, Adams-Clark AA.Sensate Focus for Sexual Concerns: an Updated, Critical Literature Review.Curr Sex Health Rep. 2019;11(2):84-94. doi:10.1007/s11930-019-00197-9

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sarwer DB, Durlak JA.A field trial of the effectiveness of behavioral treatment for sexual dysfunctions.J Sex Marital Ther. 1997;23(2):87-97. doi:10.1080/00926239708405309Avery-Clark C, Weiner L, Adams-Clark AA.Sensate Focus for Sexual Concerns: an Updated, Critical Literature Review.Curr Sex Health Rep. 2019;11(2):84-94. doi:10.1007/s11930-019-00197-9

Sarwer DB, Durlak JA.A field trial of the effectiveness of behavioral treatment for sexual dysfunctions.J Sex Marital Ther. 1997;23(2):87-97. doi:10.1080/00926239708405309

Avery-Clark C, Weiner L, Adams-Clark AA.Sensate Focus for Sexual Concerns: an Updated, Critical Literature Review.Curr Sex Health Rep. 2019;11(2):84-94. doi:10.1007/s11930-019-00197-9

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