I have been thoroughly enjoying Showtime’s Masters of Sex, a depiction of William Masters and Virginia Johnson’s explorations of human sexuality.

I read their pioneering work, Human Sexual Response in college, and was deeply influenced by their dedication and bravery.

Masters and Johnson were the first researchers to study what actually happens in the body during sex, and developed the four-stage model of sexual response (excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution).

They also developed groundbreaking methods for treating sexual dysfunction, working with the couple as the patient, rather than isolating the individual with the “problem”. Masters and Johnson created the practice of sensate focus, which helped couples tune in to the sensations brought about by touch.

While their work obviously has been subjected to critiques and reworkings in the last few decades, their influence on the field of human sexuality cannot be understated. Personally, I incorporate the philosophy behind sensate focus into my work with clients (and even into many of these blog postings).

Check out the series and let me know what you think!