What Therapy Looks Like For Highly Sensitive People
At Highland Park Holistic Therapy, we work with teens and adults who identify as Highly Sensitive People. Highly Sensitive People or HSP make up about 15-20% of the world’s population with a trait of high sensitivity that they are born with. This neurodivergent trait isn’t a disorder, but rather simply how your brain is wired. Many people are unaware they have the trait and suffer as a result, not understanding why they experience things as intensely as they do.
Life as an HSP Can be Unique
The daily lived experience of being an HSP can be challenging at times. This is due to their unique way of perceiving the world. As well as the energy spent processing sensory aspects of their environment. Because of their sometimes intense way of sensing the world, HSPs can easily feel misunderstood by their friends, loved ones, and work colleagues. Therapy can be an important support resource for HSPs.
HSP children whose parents shamed them for being highly sensitive or simply did not understand this trait, are twice as likely as non-HSP kids to develop anxiety, depression, and other mental illness in adulthood. This is often what brings people into therapy. Our holistic therapists are trained to assess for the HSP traits and incorporate this understanding into an effective treatment plan.
This blog will explore what HSP-affirming therapy means to us and break down what it could look like.
What Is an Affirming Therapeutic Approach for Highly Sensitive People?
Our Los Angeles therapists believe it’s important to use both a holistic and affirming approach to working with our clients. HSPs experience the world through a unique way of processing that may be misunderstood by others at times. There may be an emotional and physical toll on HSPs because of their sensitivity, resulting in a feeling of overwhelm. We believe in considering the whole person—mind, body, and soul—as we provide a comprehensive treatment plan, coping strategies, and more to support Highly Sensitive folks.
What Does Therapy With an HSP Look Like?
Working with an HSP therapist in Los Angeles will mean exploring your unique way of processing and navigating both your internal and external worlds.
First, you will learn about the many nuanced ways you experience your high sensitivity. This can be a time of great validation in therapy with an HSP. This is because it may be the first time your high sensitivity is acknowledged and appreciated. Orienting to the sensitivity experience is often very empowering for HSP clients when they begin therapy.
Many HSPs are in a state of ‘chronic over-arousal’. This can lead to numbing out, anxiety, depression, irritability, and other symptoms. Our therapists know how to listen for the signs of chronic over-arousal. They will help you learn how to track it yourself. Together you and your therapist can collaborate to find an ideal amount of stimulation that avoids overwhelming.
Your HSP Therapist Will Work With You to find the best approach
When overwhelm happens, which it will if you are an HSP, you and your therapist will find ways to help you regulate your body and mind and find peace again. These tools look different for everyone and your holistic therapist will collaborate with you to find what works best.
Many HSPs have learned to mask their sensitivity and try to ignore the needs they have around sensitivity. Masking can often be unconscious. But in therapy, you will begin to uncover when you feel your true self and when you are masking to please others. It’s ok to mask, sometimes it can bring relief, but by making it conscious, the HSP has more agency in their life.
What If I’m Not Sure If I’m an HSP?
Our holistic clinicians are trained in working with Highly Sensitive People and know how to listen for signs that indicate someone may be highly sensitive. And if a client wonders if they are, we work collaboratively to assess if you are an HSP. This assessment will also help us determine the ways you experience your high sensitivity. Together with your therapist, you can begin to understand your high sensitivity, the ways you experience it, and the tools to manage it in your life.
Start Highly Sensitive Person Therapy in Los Angeles, CA
Being an HSP doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you're ready to start your journey and get the support you’re looking for as a Highly Sensitive Person, we’d love to hear from you! Follow these simple steps to get started:
Contact us today to set up a free 15-minute phone consultation so we can
Get connected with one of our HSP therapists at Highland Park Therapy
Find support in understanding HSP and begin managing your HSP symptoms.
Other Services Offered At Highland Park Therapy
Our team of holistic LA therapists is here to support you on your unique healing journey as an HSP. We provide a wide range of mental health services — both through online therapy statewide in California as well as in-person at our Los Angeles, CA office. Other services we offer include depression treatment, teen therapy, grief counseling, eating disorders, stress management therapy, group therapy, and LGBTQ+ therapy. We would be honored to support you in learning new coping methods to help you cope with your HSP symptoms. Read more by visiting our blog, FAQ, about us, or groups page.
