Sensate Focus: Stage-by-Stage Guide
A sensate focus planning guide tracking five stages of structured, pressure-free touch with ground rules and reflections.
1-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · Sex therapy · Sensate focus
- Approach / concern
- Sex Therapy
- Technique
- Sex therapy · Sensate focus
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 1 page (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Advanced plan
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the Sensate Focus: Stage-by-Stage Guide?
Sensate focus, developed by Masters and Johnson, uses graded non-demand touching to reduce performance anxiety and spectatoring and to rebuild sensual connection.
Why it works
Masters and Johnson (1970) introduced sensate focus for sexual difficulties. Mindfulness-based sex therapy similarly emphasizes present-moment sensation (Brotto, 2018).
When to use it
- Performance anxiety
- Low desire and arousal difficulties
- Rebuilding intimacy after illness or birth
- Couples sex therapy
How to use it in session
- Agree ground rules.
- Plan stages with your therapist.
- Practise regularly.
- Reflect afterwards.
- Progress when both are ready.
Clinician tips
- Typical stages move from non-genital touch to genital touch to mutual touch; tailor to each couple.
- Stop if either partner feels pressured.
- Sexual concerns can have medical causes; consider a medical check-up alongside therapy.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
Do we have to avoid sex during sensate focus?
Often, couples agree to pause intercourse during early stages to remove pressure.
What if one of us isn’t ready to move on?
Stay at the current stage until both feel comfortable.
References
Masters, W. H., & Johnson, V. E. (1970). Human sexual inadequacy. Little, Brown.
Brotto, L. A. (2018). Better sex through mindfulness: How women can cultivate desire. Greystone Books.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
