Support for the Sensitive
Are you one of the “highly sensitive people” who make up to a quarter of the population?
Maybe you’ve been told you are “too sensitive” and, at times, you believe it. It feels like you aren’t a good fit for some environments, and you often feel misunderstood.
Maybe you have considered that the terms “empath” and/or “hyper-sensitive” could describe you.
You connect deeply with animals, art, or music. You cherish your close relationships–the ones in which you feel seen and appreciated for who you are. But those who don’t understand you often completely drain you.
Maybe you’re a new parent, or about to be, and you’re realizing (for the first time) that you might be highly sensitive. The demands of parenting (and/or pregnancy) seem especially taxing.
You can walk into a room and see details others miss. You process more deeply. You can sometimes tell how someone else is feeling before they are aware. Sometimes, you take on the emotions of other people– you are so empathic, you have a hard time separating your feelings from others’.
You’d like to understand your sensitivity more. You’d love to master tools that help you function (and thrive!) in the world. You’d like to embrace sensitivity as a strength.
You deserve to feel heard and understood in a safe space without judgment.
Both Sara Gourley, LPC and April Watts, LCPC specialize in working with HSPs. We are both highly sensitive ourselves and love to work with people like you.
What is a highly sensitive person?
Depth of Processing
HSPs see, hear, sense, and feel details others miss. We process questions, events, emotions, and everything else more deeply. Many HSPs love the arts, music, or nature for the deep connection we receive.
Overstimulation
We’re pretty much always busy inside. We’re processing, sensing, noticing, feeling—a lot. This can lend itself to overstimulation. Thankfully, there’s so much you can do to manage this—proactively, during, and after the fact.
Emotional Reactivity & Empathy
We feel our emotions—and the emotions of others—more deeply. This can be a lot, but it can also be a gift when well-managed. It can also make us excellent parents, friends, partners, and managers. Vantage sensitivity is our friend; this means we’re more sensitive to positive feelings and support, also!
Sensing the Subtle
HSPs pick up on details others often miss—like feelings (yours and others), details in a piece of artwork or music, and the many details in a room or group setting. This can be overwhelming but it can also greatly enhance our experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You certainly don’t have to. However, many HSPs feel that they connect more easily and feel more understood, validated, and supported when their therapist is also highly sensitive—or, at a minimum, has a thorough understanding of the trait.
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If you have the right therapeutic relationship, the data is promising. In fact, HSPs often thrive in therapy because we are sensitive to the positive and the negative influences in our lives. With the right environment and support, HSPs CAN thrive.
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Sensory processing sensitivity (as it’s called in research) or being a highly sensitive person is NOT a diagnosis. It is a trait found in over 100 animal species and in humans. Brain scans show that our brains light up in different ways. It is legitimate. Moreover, countless clients can attest to the importance of acknowledging and embracing their sensitivity and the profound impact that has on their lives. It is incredibly useful to know this about yourself, especially with the right support.