Sensate Focus: Stage 3 – Adding Lotion (Clinical Handout)

By the Walther Institute for Marital Intimacy

This handout is being made available for clinicians, coaches, and educators who want a structured, ready-to-use guide for implementing Stage 3 of Sensate Focus with clients.

Stage 3 increases sensory complexity by introducing lotion or oil, allowing clients to practice attentional control under more varied and fluid tactile conditions. While the texture of touch changes, the core task remains the same: maintaining focus on physical sensation without shifting toward performance, arousal, or outcome.

Designed for clinical use, this handout helps clients deepen the foundational skill of attention while navigating increased distraction and sensory variation.

Inside, clients are guided through:

• The purpose and progression of Stage 3

• How increased sensory complexity strengthens attentional control

• How to incorporate lotion without shifting into massage or goal-directed touch

• What changes from Stage 2 and what remains consistent

• How to recognize and redirect common distractions

• Clear boundaries to preserve the non-demand structure of the exercise

• Practical guidance on session length, frequency, and progression

This is a no-fluff, implementation-ready resource that helps clients refine attentional discipline as sensory input becomes more dynamic and potentially distracting.

This handout is priced at $0.99 to make high-quality clinical tools easily accessible for practitioners.

Note: This content is also included in the WIMI Private Journal for those who prefer full library access.