Rebecca Alvarez LCSW, MEd 
                                                    th
                                     255 South 17  Street, Suite 1509, Philadelphia PA 19103 
                                            267-405-6396 • alvarez.lcsw@gmail.com  • 
                                                     www.rebeccajalvarez.com 
                                                                       
                                                 Queered Sensate Focus Exercise 
                                                                      
                 Sensate Focus is a sex therapy intervention developed by Masters and Johnson that helps 
                 partners bring mindfulness to how they touch one another. This is done with progressive 
                 physical exploration between consenting partners, the use of the here-and-now exercises, and 
                 post-exploration discussions with a non-judgmental outside party. It may be recommended 
                 when partners seek to reconnect with one another physically, though may be a benefit to any 
                 relationship.  
                  
                 Strengths 
                 •   Experiencing for Oneself  This asks a person to assume responsibility for their own pleasure, 
                     both the Toucher(s) and Receiver(s). 
                 •   Mindfulness Partners integrate the use of temperature, pressure, and texture to center 
                     their attention on the here-and-now. This approach challenges spectatoring. 
                 •   Communication Partners are expected to communicate directly as opposed to depending on 
                     intuition, expectations, or past experiences. 
                 •   Consent The focus is on non-demanding and sensory (not sensual) touching. 
                 •   Acceptance Honors the concept of natural responses which cannot be taught. For example, 
                     it’s tricky to “work hard at getting turned on.” 
                 •   Hard-wired Integrates neurobiology and the role of the limbic system into our 
                     understanding of sex. 
                  
                 Limitations 
                 When originally developed, the Sensate Focus method used what is called a “hierarchy of 
                 touch,” using heterosexual insertive sex as the norm. While this model has many helpful 
                 aspects, it also benefits from modifications that are more trauma-informed and inclusive of 
                 queer, trans/non-binary, polyamorous, and disabled people. The original model also depended 
                 on wordless communication during the exercises for the purpose of moving into different mind-
                 states. However, the Queered Sensate Focus approach emphasizes communication, verbal and 
                 bodily, before, during and after. It is widely agreed upon within the sexology field that there are 
                 many variations on Sensate Focus and I’d like to acknowledge that this is simply another 
                 variation- please feel free to find what works best for you and your partner(s). 
                  
                 Instruction 
                 Melanie Davis of the New Jersey Center for Sexual Wellness states that “…these exercises are 
                 typically done in steps or stages over a period of several weeks. One person starts as the “giver” 
                 or “toucher” and the other is the “receiver.” Partners then switch roles until they reach stage 3, 
                 when there is mutual touching. If you do the exercises in the morning, you can enjoy other 
                 sexual activity in the afternoon or evening, or whatever timing works for you. The key is to not 
                 mix exercises with your normal sexual activities.”  
                                                        PA License CW018960 
                                               Adapted in 2020 by Rebecca Alvarez 
                  
                                                 Rebecca Alvarez LCSW, MEd 
                                                      th
                                       255 South 17  Street, Suite 1509, Philadelphia PA 19103 
                                              267-405-6396 • alvarez.lcsw@gmail.com  • 
                                                       www.rebeccajalvarez.com 
                                                                         
                  
                  
                                                               Exploration 1 
                                                                    Focus 
                                                         Experiencing for Oneself  
                                                       Non-Erogenous Zone Touch 
                                                          Taking Turns Touching 
                                         Sensation Touching as Opposed to Sensual Touching 
                                                                        
                                                                  Exercise 
                       •   Beforehand, decide on parameters with therapist, with emphasis on experiencing for 
                           oneself.  
                       •   Take turns exploring different types of touch (ie: the spectrum of heavy to light) 
                           noticing sensations of temperature, texture, and pressure as opposed to arousal. 
                               o  Receiver focuses on the experience of being touched and offers adjustment 
                                   feedback only if touch is unpleasant/harmful. 
                               o  Toucher focuses on the experience of giving touch and looks for adjustment 
                                   feedback from Receiver.  
                       •   While consensually touching directly afterwards, briefly reflect on experience with 
                           one another and plan to revisit with therapist. 
                    
                                                               Exploration 2 
                                                                    Focus 
                                                              Communication 
                                                           Erogenous Zone Touch 
                                                          Taking Turns Touching 
                                         Sensation Touching as Opposed to Sensual Touching 
                                                                        
                                                                  Exercise 
                       •   Beforehand, decide on parameters with therapist, with emphasis on communication.  
                       •   Take turns exploring different types of touch (ie: the spectrum of slow to fast) 
                           noticing sensations of temperature, texture, and pressure as opposed to arousal. 
                               o  Receiver focuses on the experience of being touched and shares descriptions, 
                                   adjustments, and affirmations. 
                               o  Toucher focuses on the experience of giving touch and looks for feedback 
                                   from Receiver around how they are experiencing touch. 
                       •   If aroused, continue touching for sensation as opposed to “goal” of orgasm.  
                       •   While consensually touching directly afterwards, briefly reflect on experience with 
                           one another and plan to revisit with therapist. 
                            
                                                          PA License CW018960 
                                                Adapted in 2020 by Rebecca Alvarez 
                  
                                               Rebecca Alvarez LCSW, MEd 
                                                   th
                                     255 South 17  Street, Suite 1509, Philadelphia PA 19103 
                                           267-405-6396 • alvarez.lcsw@gmail.com  • 
                                                    www.rebeccajalvarez.com 
                                                                     
                 
                 
                                                            Exploration 3 
                                                                Focus 
                                                             Acceptance 
                                                     Non-Erogenous Zone Touch 
                                                          Mutual Touching 
                                       Sensation Touching as Opposed to Sensual Touching 
                                                                     
                                                               Exercise 
                      •   Beforehand, decide on parameters with therapist, with emphasis on acceptance.  
                      •   Take turns exploring different types of touch (ex. the spectrum of dull to sharp) 
                          noticing sensations of temperature, texture, and pressure as opposed to arousal.  
                              o  Receiver focuses on being touched and accepting and/or welcoming their 
                                  individual experience. Receiver offers feedback on their experience. 
                              o  Toucher focuses on the experience of giving touch. Toucher looks for direct 
                                  feedback from Receiver and focuses on accepting and/or welcoming this.  
                      •   While consensually touching directly afterwards, briefly reflect on experience with 
                          one another and plan to revisit with therapist. 
                   
                                                            Exploration 4 
                                                                Focus 
                            Integration of Experiencing For Oneself, Communication, and Acceptance 
                                                       Erogenous Zone Touch 
                                                          Mutual Touching 
                                       Sensation Touching as Opposed to Sensual Touching 
                                                                    
                                                               Exercise 
                      •   Beforehand, decide on parameters with therapist, with emphasis on integrating 
                          experiencing for oneself, communication, and acceptance.  
                      •   Take turns exploring different types of touch (ex. the spectrum of still to active) 
                          noticing sensations of temperature, texture, and pressure as opposed to arousal.  
                              o  Receiver focuses on the experience of being touched.  
                              o  Toucher focuses on the experience of giving touch.  
                              o  Both are experiencing for themselves, communicating, and accepting 
                                  adjustments and affirmations. 
                      •   While consensually touching directly afterwards, briefly reflect on experience with 
                          one another and plan to revisit with therapist. 
                           
                 
                                                       PA License CW018960 
                                              Adapted in 2020 by Rebecca Alvarez