"Spectatoring" is where the person becomes an observer of sexual activity – he or she has literally ‘floated out of the body’ and watches herself having sex -and gives herself all sorts of critical, negative appraisal.
A perfect example of spectatoring and shut down sexual feelings was described to me by Danielle, who had been referred to me by her doctor because she had never had an orgasm and was keen to have this pleasure.

The Problem:At the age of nineteen, Danielle moved from the country to the big city to make her fortune. She was persuaded by her girlfriend to become a prostitute in one of the biggest and most prestigious brothels in town.
Danielle was very successful and retired from “the trade” after three years with enough money to invest in property and set herself up for life. The negative legacy of her career, however, was her inability to orgasm.
The Cause: Spectatoring - Danielle remembered that when she had had sex with her clients, she used to take a ‘mental holiday’. It was as if her body was in the brothel having sex, and her mind and heart were in a theatre somewhere else, watching the ‘Sound of Music’.
Even though she was now working as a successful book-keeper and had a boyfriend who was very keen to be the first man to give her orgasms, Danielle was unable to stay in her body and relax completely in the moment and allow herself to orgasm.
The Solution: Danielle committed to the Achieving Orgasms Plan with specific attention to using Dr Jan’s Hypnosis audiotape so that she could “reprogram” her mind to stay in her body so that she could really enjoy sex. After six months, she was able to achieve orgasm.