Sensate Focus Touch, What is that?

“This is a much-needed book for mental health professionals to update their awareness and comfort in using sensate focus strategies with couples. Senate focus is integral to sex therapy and this updated book both confronts misunderstandings about senate focus and provides a motivating and empowering handbook. This book should be on the shelf of all couple and sex therapists.”
—Barry McCarthy, PhD, professor of psychology, American University; author, Rekindling Desire

“THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!! for writing this manual. It has helped me tremendously. I had no idea that my understanding of Sensate Focus was missing so much. After reading this, I have incorporated these concepts into my sessions with clients with much more clarity and confidence than I previously had around Sensate focus homework. Clients respond - they understand, do the homework, and see the results.”

—Amazon Customer Review

“This book is a must-have for any professional working with couples and their sex lives. It's beautifully written and works as a great guide when working with couples. MUST HAVE!”

—Amazon Customer Review

“One of the most practical books on my shelf. This book filled in the many gaps in my training on this classic technique. Many thanks to the authors for this contribution”
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—John Petersen

“This book is long overdue!! It is a rich treasure for clinicians seeking the modern roadmap for integrating sensate focus into their work with diverse client populations. The illustrations bring the teaching to life. The whole-person approach―and the emphasis on touching as essential to human thriving―are messages that make this book invaluable. I will be recommending it to all of my students and trainees!”

—Patti Britton, PhD, MPHco-founder, SexCoachU.com; academic dean, Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS); adjunct faculty, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Pacifica and Saybrook Graduate Institutes, and California Institute for Integral Studies

“Sensate Focus in Sex Therapy is an amazingly comprehensive, deeply informative manual that will instantly become a classic in the best practice principles of Sex Therapy.”

—P. Michele Sugg, MSW, LCSW, CSTAASECT certified sex therapist; past-president, American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists; sex therapy advisor, Alexander Foundation for Women's Health

“Finally a book on what Sensate Focus really is. There is so much misinformation out there on the subject, I am grateful to Linda and Constance for writing such a useful, honest and practical book. I have already used it with my clients. I love the illustrations, they make it easy to show clients what to do instead of having to explain them. Well done authors. A much needed book on the subject.”
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—CMJLCSW

“Linda Weiner and Constance Avery-Clark have written a wonderful book! It describes Sensate Focus in detail- not only the purpose of the touching exercises and why they work, but also the correct method for teaching clients how to perform the touching exercises. Sensate Focus is a mindfulness practice that gets the busy/anxious mind out of the way so a person can learn to focus on touch sensations. I loved this book and will use it in my practice!”

—Amazon Customer Review

“Sensate focus is one of the longest-standing tools in the toolbox of skilled sex therapists. Weiner and Avery-Clark refresh and revitalize this formidable tool, and apply the lens of mindfulness to understanding the power of this practice. This book will ensure that therapists―both new and seasoned―implement sensate focus effectively and accurately.”

—Lori A. Brotto, PhDprofessor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia; executive director, Women’s Health Research Institute; registered psychologist

“I am a Clinical Psychologist working at a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder unit. I am also pursuing education in sex therapy to better help my clients with PTSD to experience intimacy and close relationships with significant others in their lives. This book is an excellent, practical resource. The authors clarify Masters and Johnson's intended instructions for Sensate Focus, and given the authors' training at Masters and Johnson's training institute, I fully trust their knowledge and approach. The instructions provided are clear. The illustrations are also truly beautiful - they exemplify diversity (ethnic, of sexual orientation, and even representing people of different body shapes and abilities), and truly give the impression that what is taking place is not just sex, but intimacy and meaningful human connection. Thank you, authors. A very helpful and inspired work that will remain on my shelf and inform my practice for years to come.”

—Sue Waker

“As a student studying in human sexuality, it is exciting to have a manual in sensate focus, sex therapy to study with, reflect on and exercise with outside the classroom. Authors exhibit deep insights about the meaning of pleasure in human sexuality. Artistic illustration and systematic knowledge unfolding make this book a wonderful reading experience. For professionals who intended to develop practical skills in sex therapy and sex education, it is a long-due overview of sensate focus sex therapy that brings all fragments together.” (Student)

—Amazon Customer Review