Skip to main content

Sensate focus: Masters and Johnson (1970)

By

Sensate focus: Masters and Johnson (1970)

Introduction:


Sensate Focus is a psychosexual therapy technique developed by William Masters and Virginia Johnson in the 1970s to address sexual dysfunction in couples. The technique involves non-sexual touching exercises that are designed to help couples focus on physical sensations and enhance their communication around sexual needs and desires. This article reviews the Sensate Focus technique, its stages, and its effectiveness.


Stages of Sensate Focus:


Sensate Focus is a three-stage process that gradually introduces sexual touch as the couple progresses through each stage. The first stage involves non-genital touching, where couples touch each other's bodies in a non-sexual way, focusing on the sensations of touch and skin contact. The second stage involves genital touching, where couples explore each other's genital areas, again focusing on physical sensations rather than sexual performance. The final stage of the technique involves sexual intercourse, where couples are encouraged to focus on physical sensations rather than performance goals (1).


Effectiveness of Sensate Focus:


The effectiveness of Sensate Focus has been evaluated in a number of studies, with mixed results. A review by Busby and colleagues (2017) found that while there was some evidence to support the use of Sensate Focus in treating sexual dysfunction, more research was needed to determine its effectiveness (2). Other studies have found that Sensate Focus can be an effective treatment for sexual dysfunction, with improvements in sexual function, satisfaction, and communication reported by couples (3, 4).


Conclusion:

Sensate Focus is a psychosexual therapy technique that can be effective in treating sexual dysfunction in couples. The technique involves graduated touching exercises designed to help couples focus on physical sensations and improve communication around sexual needs and desires. While research on the effectiveness of Sensate Focus has been mixed, it remains a widely used technique, often in combination with other psychosexual therapies, to help couples enhance their sexual experiences and improve their relationship.


References:


  1. Masters, W. H., & Johnson, V. E. (1970). Human sexual inadequacy. Little, Brown and Co.
  2. Busby, D. M., Christensen, C., Crane, D. R., & Larson, J. H. (2017). A revisionist theory of relationship quality. Personal Relationships, 24(1), 24-46.
  3. LoPiccolo, J., & Friedman, J. (1988). The use of sensate focus in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Journal of sex & marital therapy, 14(2), 129-141.
  4. Heiman, J. R., & Meston, C. M. (1999). Empirically validated treatments for sexual dysfunction. Annual review of sex research, 10(1), 97-130.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Your Thoughts?

Popular posts from this blog

ICD-11 Criteria for Single Episode Depressive Disorder (Depressive Episode) (6A70)

By
ICD-11 Criteria for Single Episode Depressive Disorder (Depressive Episode) (6A70) Single episode depressive disorder is characterised by the presence or history of one depressive episode when there is no history of prior depressive episodes. A depressive episode is characterised by a period of depressed mood or diminished interest in activities occurring most of the day, nearly every day during a period lasting at least two weeks accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt, hopelessness, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, changes in appetite or sleep, psychomotor agitation or retardation, and reduced energy or fatigue. There have never been any prior manic, hypomanic, or mixed episodes, which would indicate the presence of a bipolar disorder. Exclusions:              Recurrent depressive disorder (6A71) Adjustment disorder (6B43) Bipolar...
Post a Comment
Read more

ICD-11 Criteria for Depression (Recurrent Depressive Disorder) 6A71

By
ICD-11 Criteria for Depression (Recurrent Depressive Disorder) 6A71 Recurrent depressive disorder is characterised by a history or at least two depressive episodes separated by at least several months without significant mood disturbance. A depressive episode is characterised by a period of depressed mood or diminished interest in activities occurring most of the day, nearly every day during a period lasting at least two weeks accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt, hopelessness, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, changes in appetite or sleep, psychomotor agitation or retardation, and reduced energy or fatigue. There have never been any prior manic, hypomanic, or mixed episodes, which would indicate the presence of a Bipolar disorder. Inclusions:                Seasonal depressive disorder Exclusions:    ...
Post a Comment
Read more

ICD-11 Criteria for Bipolar Type-1 Disorder

By
ICD-11 Criteria for Bipolar Type-1 Disorder    6A60     Bipolar type I disorder is an episodic mood disorder defined by the occurrence of one or more manic or mixed episodes. A manic episode is an extreme mood state lasting at least one week unless shortened by a treatment intervention characterised by euphoria, irritability, or expansiveness, and by increased activity or a subjective experience of increased energy, accompanied by other characteristic symptoms such as rapid or pressured speech, flight of ideas, increased self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, impulsive or reckless behaviour, and rapid changes among different mood states (i.e., mood lability). A mixed episode is characterised by the presence of several prominent manic and several prominent depressive symptoms consistent with those observed in manic episodes and depressive episodes, which either occur simultaneously or alternate very rapidly (from day to day or with...
Post a Comment
Read more