Support for Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs)

Understanding High Sensitivity

Do you find yourself deeply affected by the emotions of others? Do bright lights, strong smells, or loud noises feel overwhelming? Do you need more time to process change or recover from busy days?

If so, you might be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). High sensitivity, or Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), is a natural trait found in about 15–20% of the population. It means that your nervous system processes information more deeply, making you more attuned to subtleties in your environment—but also more prone to sensory and emotional overwhelm.

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Being highly sensitive is not a weakness. In fact, it comes with strengths such as deep empathy, intuition, creativity, and a rich inner world. However, without the right support, it can also feel exhausting, isolating, and sometimes even debilitating.

Read more: What Does It Mean to Be a Highly Sensitive Person?

 

How High Sensitivity Affects Daily Life

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As an HSP, you might experience:

• Emotional intensity – Feeling things deeply, whether joy, sadness, or stress.

• Overstimulation – Easily overwhelmed by noise, crowds, or bright lights.

• Empathy fatigue – Absorbing others’ emotions, leaving you drained.

• Struggles with transitions – Needing more time to adjust to changes in routine or environment.

• Strong reactions to criticism – Feeling hurt by harsh words or conflict.

• A deep need for meaningful connection – Preferring one-to-one conversations over large social settings.

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You might have spent years feeling "too sensitive" or misunderstood. Perhaps you’ve been told to "toughen up" or wondered why you react differently to situations compared to others. Therapy can help you understand and embrace your sensitivity, rather than seeing it as something to fix.

 

How I Support Highly Sensitive Clients

As a Highly Sensitive Person myself, I understand the challenges that come with this trait. My approach to therapy is affirming, validating, and tailored to the unique needs of HSPs.

In our work together, we can:

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• Explore your sensitivity in a safe, accepting space – Understanding how your nervous system works can be empowering and freeing.

• Identify sources of overwhelm – Whether it's sensory overload, emotional exhaustion, or social fatigue, we can find strategies to help you navigate these challenges.

• Work on boundaries and self-care – Learning how to protect your energy without guilt is key to thriving as an HSP.

• Address past experiences of being misunderstood – Many HSPs carry wounds from being invalidated or dismissed. Therapy can help process these experiences and build self-acceptance.

• Find ways to embrace your strengths – Your sensitivity is not a flaw; it is a part of who you are. We can explore how to honour it while still feeling balanced in daily life.

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Being highly sensitive in a world that often feels overwhelming can be difficult—but with the right support, it’s possible to create a life that works with your sensitivity, not against it. Therapy can help you develop self-understanding, practical strategies, and a sense of empowerment in your unique way of being.

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Find out more about how I work and check out my blog to read more about What it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person, or the Overlap and Differences between High Sensitivity and Autism.