Highly Sensitive People (HSP)

Highly sensitive people are complex in their characteristics. They tend to have been shy, timid children. They are creative, react to the smallest change in their environment, are subject to mood fluctuations, are organised, hardworking and conscientious and empathic.

Perhaps the most distinctive trait is their tendency to become overwhelmed when their senses are overloaded. Such as in crowds of people, social occasions, or with smells and noise or have too much to do in a short time. They then seek solitude and quiet to calm themselves.

There is relief in knowing you are highly sensitive. It's a relief to understand why you react the way you do. It's a relief to know there are others like you. It's a relief to better understand yourself and your traits.

So, are you highly sensitive?

Try the test, it is free and only takes a few minutes. You can access it on the Foundation for Highly Sensitive People website as well as lots of further information: http://hsperson.com

Initially, we consider if you fit the profile of an HSP. There are so many different aspects to consider such as sensory processing, emotional elements, and depth of processing and past history. Essentially this is a complex assessment. If we don’t consider you as HSP we will use our skills, knowledge and experience to work with you to identify issues that are causing you to seek help and work with you through these.

This stage is often a cathartic experience. Having felt different, separated or isolated from others all your life you recognise 20% of the population with very similar characteristics. It’s a time to learn and explore from research, literature and most of all from the experience of other HSP about this gift. For many, it is a relief, exciting and empowering.

Now you understand, you can make changes. Together we identify aspects or issues of your daily life that you are struggling with or experienced in the past that we can now better understand. We have a host of strategies that we can share and together we develop your own unique management strategy.

Discovering that your sensitivity, intuition, creativity can be utilised to enhance your life rather than it being your secret or a problem is empowering. Allowing yourself to be authentic and celebrate it, wholeheartedly accepting the gifts you have is awe-inspiring.

How I work:

The CARE approach:

Confirmation

Acceptance

Reorganise

Empowerment

For more information, check out my Overview of the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

If you would like counselling to help manage your sensitivity or to help a family member, please contact me.