Therapy for highly sensitive people (HSP) in Los Angeles, CA
“Sometimes I think I need a spare heart to feel all of the things that I feel.”
— Sanober Khan
According to Dr. Elaine Aaron, Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) are people who experience acute mental, physical, and/or emotional responses to stimuli in their world. Dr. Aaron’s research has found that around 15-20% of the population have the gene that contributes to them being highly sensitive, which includes: depth of processing, overstimulation, emotional reactivity, and sensitivity to subtleties.
D.O.E.S This Sound Like You?
D - Depth of Processing
HSPs process new information more deeply. You are wired to pause and reflect before engaging and this may lead you to take more time as you explore all the options. Research suggests that the Highly Sensitive brain has a more active insula - the part of the brain that helps increase self-awareness and enhance perception.
o - oVERSTIMULATION
As HSPs are more attuned to subtle changes and stimuli, you will be more impacted by busy, loud, or stressful environments. It’s no wonder then, that you may feel overwhelmed when met with external distractions. You may even find that this balance of attempting to attune to what’s important (e.g., work, a conversation, a good book you’re reading) while filtering out distractions leaves you feeling overstimulated, exhausted, and very much in need of time to decompress.
Who Are Highly Sensitive People?
E - Emotional Responsiveness/eMPATHY
Brain scans suggest that HSPs have more active mirror neurons than non HSPs. Mirror neurons are responsible for emotional awareness and empathy. As a result, HSPs experience both more positive as well as negative emotions.
S - Sensitive to Subtleties/Sensory Stimuli
HSPs are attuned to subtle changes in their environment that others might miss. You may notice that you can detect non-verbal cues in social situations. You may also find that you feel sensitive to rough textures, bright lights, or strong smells.
Learning more about your Highly Sensitive Person profile:
Difficulty Establishing Boundaries:
Boundaries are hard. They take emotional energy and you may also notice that you worry more about the other person’s feelings than your own. Oftentimes, folks with HSP worry that saying “no” will be perceived as rude, hurtful, or selfish.
Emotional Overwhelm:
Have you ever walked into a room and felt the emotions of others? The women I work with who identify as an HSP often note that social situations can feel overwhelming from the start as they can pick up on the emotional energy of others without even having started a conversation.
Difficulty with Decisions and Change:
The part of your brain that helps you slowly process, take in all the information, and make an intentional decision can also make decisions difficult when you’re under pressure. You also may notice that new changes to your life, even exciting ones like a new relationship can be hard to integrate into your world.
If you are ready to increase your self-compassion, learn to relate to your sensitivity as a strength, and built the life you want, reach out to an HSP therapist.
Therapy for Highly Sensitive People
At Worth and Wellness Psychology, Therapy for Highly Sensitive People is focused on helping you to increase your self-compassion and learn tools to create balance when surfing the waves of emotions. Highly Sensitive Person Counseling will empower you in accepting all those sensitive and worthy parts of you that you may not always like or value within yourself. Your unique and important relationship with your environment makes you the beautiful and strong person that you are. Therapy for Highly Sensitive People will help you to fine-tune those skills, prioritize your wellness, set up healthy boundaries, and to show up for yourself and your own needs.
“Being highly sensitive does not at all rule out being, in your own way, a tenacious survivor.” — Elaine N. Aron
HSP Resources:
Books:
Dr. Elaine Aron The Highly Sensitive Person
Dr. Elaine Aron The Highly Sensitive Person In Love
Dr. Ted Zeff The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide
Want to Learn More about Being an HSP?
Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?
Copyright, Elaine N. Aron, 1996
Start Therapy for Highly Sensitive People in Los Angeles, CA
If you're ready to start embracing your sensitivity as a strength and learn how to manage it in a way that works for you, therapy for Highly Sensitive People can help. As an HSP therapist in Los Angeles, I can help you explore your unique needs and develop strategies to thrive in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming. Follow these steps to start Highly Sensitive Person counseling:
Schedule your first appointment at Worth and Wellness Psychology
Begin your journey towards a happier, more balanced life
Other Therapy Services I Offer in Los Angeles, CA
I offer a variety of other individual therapy services in Los Angeles besides HSP highly sensitive person treatment. This includes trauma therapy treatment, dating therapy, and anxiety therapy. Along with EMDR therapy and individual therapy for relationship issues. Additionally, I provide support and guidance for women of color and therapists.
All of these services are available in person at my therapy office in Irvine and online throughout California.