ABSTRACT
Sensate focus (SF) is a behavioral technique developed by Masters and Johnson as a part of treating a wide range of sexual dysfunctions. SF was traditionally conceptualized as a series of touching exercises designed to lower anxiety over sex. SF involved two levels of touch. The first level involved sensual touching while avoiding breasts and genitals. The next level involved both whole-body touching and genital touching or stimulation for the purpose of pleasure and not performance. The graduated incremental SF exercises are started in the early phases of treatment, thereby rendering a more accurate diagnostic picture of how the couple functions in a physical interaction. The sensual, intimate nature of SF promotes management of sexual difficulties as well as other relational problems. It can provide a form of joining, both physically and emotionally, and promote communication of feelings and desires.
