Overview

Sensate Focus Therapy (SFT) remains one of the most effective and versatile interventions for addressing sexual difficulties. Using structured, mindful touch exercises designed to reduce pressure and remove performance expectations, SFT can help clients reduce performance anxiety, rebuild embodiment following trauma, and develop more flexible, creative, and pleasurable sexual experiences.

This workshop expands on the original Sensate Focus framework by exploring how exercises can be adapted for solo practice and tailored for diverse presentations, including neurodivergence, sexual trauma survivors, high anxiety, disability, and differences in ability.

The workshop is highly applicable to clients presenting with low desire, erectile difficulties, orgasm concerns, sexual pain, and relationship-based sexual challenges. SFT also integrates well with a range of other therapeutic modalities, including CBT, ACT, Schema Therapy, and IFS, allowing for concurrent treatment of broader psychological and relational difficulties.

Learning Outcomes

The workshop will cover:

• The theory and mechanisms underlying Sensate Focus Therapy
• Common barriers to implementation
• Developing tailored treatment plans
• Customising exercises for diverse presentations, including neurodivergence, sexual trauma survivors, high anxiety, disability, and differences in ability
• Troubleshooting resistance and therapeutic challenges
• Case studies and clinical examples
• Practical skills exercises and implementation strategies

Presenter(s)

Dr. Sarah Ashton

About the presenter(s)

Dr. Sarah Ashton (she/her) is the Founder and Lead Trainer of the Institute of Sexual Health Psychology Australia (ISHPA), a national training organisation dedicated to advancing inclusive, trauma-informed, evidence-based education in sexual health psychology. She is also the Director and Founder of SHIPS, Australia’s first clinic solely focused on sexual health psychology. Sarah is a registered psychologist, AHPRA board approved supervisor, and the author of When Trauma Affects Sex. She lectures at both RMIT and Deakin University, where she co-authored Deakin’s first Sex and Sexuality unit. Her academic work includes published research on pornography in The Journal of Sex Research, Porn Studies, and Feminism & Psychology. With over 18 years of clinical experience, Sarah has authored more than 30 professional training courses and delivered guest lectures at 15 Australian universities. She is passionate about shifting the cultural narrative around sex, amplifying the voices of erotically marginalised communities, and raising the standard of sexual health care.

Notes

Registration includes tea and coffee and lunch.

Target Audience

This activity is aimed at psychologists.

Please note:

• This is a Member Groups event. All communication will be sent to the registrants’ registered email address. This includes event reminders with details (such as the venue details) and any pre-event or post-event resources, if provided by the facilitators.
• A post-event email will be sent within two weeks of the event’s completion to each registrant’s registered email address. This email will include the CPD certificate, and any additional resources shared during the session.

Duration of Access

This event will not be recorded.

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.