This class provides IAPST credits which are eligible for credits toward Certification as a Sex Therapist. See iapst.org/certification
See complete list of certificates available in the Accreditation tab
Sensate Focus in Sex Therapy:
Unlocking Pleasure, Safety, and Connection
Tuesday, February 23, 2027, 12:00 PM EST - 3:00 PM EST
Presenter: Paula Leech
Course Length: 3 Hours
This workshop Offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits
This class provides IAPST credits which are eligible for credits toward Certification as a Sex Therapist. See iapst.org/certification
See complete list of certificates available in the Accreditation tab
Sensate Focus Fundamentals
15 Minutes
a. Intros – name, where you are, what you hope to get out of the course.
i. Confidentiality, assume good will, self-care.
ii. My approach to SF – feel free to disagree, challenge, filter out what doesn’t fit.
iii. Goals and learning objectives.
45 Minutes
a. M & J – Origins of Sensate Focus
i. Natural Functions
b. Parasympathetic vs. Sympathetic Nervous System
c. Defining Sensate Focus
d. SF Broken Down
i. Touching for Interest vs. Pleasure
ii. Touching for Self
iii. Mindfulness
35 Minutes
a. SF Set-up
i. Active & passive roles
ii. Debrief post
iii. Language
iv. Tone, pace, rhythm
b. Example
15 Minutes BREAK
IV. 20 Minutes
a. Anxiety Basics
V. 20 Minutes
a. Review progressions
i. Narrating Touch
ii. Mutual Touch
b. Peaking
c. Plateauing
VI. 40 Minutes
a. Wrap-up
i. Sensate Focus Progress
ii. Making it Yours
iii. Practice (pairs) – Prescribe front caress to your partner – don’t worry about tone, pace, rhythm – just relaying the info.
i. Ask questions of prescribing partner as if real patient.
ii. Will challenge you both to dig deep into your understanding of the approach.
iii. Expect mistakes! They’ll help you learn.
iv. Do as many times as you’d like to fill the time allotted.