Therapy For Highly Sensitive People
I'm a therapist for highly sensitive people in Berkeley, CA! Highly sensitive people can overlap with or relate to other experiences like complex trauma, autism spectrum, ADHD, personality disorders, and anxiety disorders. Therapy for highly sensitive people (HSPs) should be tailored to address their specific needs and goals. HSPs are individuals more attuned to sensory and emotional stimuli, which can lead to a deeper processing of information and greater emotional sensitivity. Therapy for HSPs may focus on developing coping strategies and building resilience to help manage and navigate the challenges that come with being highly sensitive as well as a space to celebrate the gifts of being highly sensitive.
Goals of therapy for highly sensitive people may include learning how to experience stress and discomfort without acting in ways that may be harmful (substance use, destructive relationship patterns, self-harm, etc), increasing awareness of your feelings and the feelings of others, learning how to process your feelings, working on making practical changes in your life, and learning how to communicate. These types of skills are helpful for everyone -- and can be life-saving for individuals who find themselves in cycles of self-harm, abusive relationships, etc.
Some common goals of therapy for HSPs may include:
Developing self-awareness: Therapy can help HSPs better understand their own unique experiences, including how they process information, how they interact with others, and how their emotions impact their daily life. This can help HSPs develop a stronger sense of self and improve their ability to self-regulate.
Managing emotions: Because HSPs are often more emotionally sensitive, therapy can help them learn strategies to express their emotions in healthy and effective ways. This may include developing skills such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional regulation techniques.
Setting boundaries: HSPs may struggle with setting boundaries and saying no to others, which can lead to feelings of overwhelm and burnout. Therapy can help HSPs develop assertiveness skills and set healthy boundaries to protect their well-being.
Improving relationships: Because HSPs are more attuned to others' emotions and needs, therapy for HSPs can help them improve their interpersonal skills and navigate relationships more effectively. This may include developing communication skills and learning to express needs and boundaries in relationships.
“The existentially gifted are more likely to experience a high degree of existential angst. Being aware of the finite quality of life and their potential, they constantly feel compelled to move forwards. This can manifest as strong creative urges, but also as constant restlessness, anxiety and insecurity.”