Therapists’ use of feedback from clients about Sensate Focus exercises: an interpretive description of therapists’ perspectives

Abstract

Sensate Focus (SF) forms a core part of psychosexual therapy (PST) but in many respects is under researched. A literature review identified gaps in research including: how practitioners use language when asking for feedback, in particular about sensations and pleasure, and how they help clients deal with specific distractions and blockages arising from SF exercises. Sally Thorne’s Interpretative Description methodology was used for this study, using a social constructionist epistemology and interpretive theoretical perspective. Seven therapists were selected using purposive sampling and participated in semi-structured interviews, analysed using Template Analysis. The results identified two general approaches to dealing with feedback, characterised as “touch-centred” feedback and “broad-based” feedback, though the differences are ones of emphasis rather than a strict demarcation. Therapists are also divided about the value of asking clients about their experience of pleasure in SF exercises. Differences were found in the kinds of techniques used to address distractions and blockages and the extent to which Mindfulness is applied. Recommendations made relate to raising the profile of Mindfulness in training courses, giving greater emphasis to client note-taking after sensate focus exercises, and the need for further research into the language used by therapists when dealing with feedback.

LAY SUMMARY

This research was designed to help psychosexual therapists develop a greater understanding of how to process feedback from clients about Sensate Focus exercises. Recommendations include a greater emphasis on teaching Mindfulness in training courses and encouraging clients to make written notes after exercises to inform their feedback with the therapist.

Keywords:

• Sensate focus
• pleasure
• distractions

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Peter Cardew, my supervisor, for his advice, support, and patience as I navigated my way through this research. Sadly, Peter passed away soon after the research was completed. I would also like to thank Sally Thorne for her encouraging feedback about using the Interpretive Description methodology. Thanks also to the therapists who generously gave their time for this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).