Highly Sensitive People (HSP)
Therapy that helps HSPs live fully in Philadelphia, PA
Have You Ever Been Told You're Too Emotional?
Do you feel like other people don’t truly understand how deeply you feel emotions?
Have you noticed you’re easily impacted by others’ emotions?
Do you feel overwhelmed by sensory input?
If you answered yes to any of these questions you might be a Highly Sensitive Person or HSP. So what the hell is an HSP? Glad you asked! HSP’s are individuals who have a heightened sensitivity to their environment and the emotions of others. They make up about 15-20% of the population and possess a nervous system that is more responsive to stimuli. This sensitivity shows up in various ways, such as being easily overwhelmed by noise, bright lights, or strong smells, and being deeply affected by the emotions and energy of those around them.
The biggest thing for you to understand is being an HSP is not a flaw! While being an HSP can present its own set of challenges, it is also accompanied by many unique strengths and gifts. HSPs often have a deep capacity for empathy, creativity, and intuition. They possess a keen eye for detail, notice subtleties that others may overlook, and bring a unique perspective to the world. Here are some signs you may just be an HSP:
Emotional Intensity: As an HSP, your emotions may feel like a rollercoaster ride. You experience joy, sadness, and everything in between with great intensity. Movies, books, and music have the power to move you deeply, sometimes even bringing tears to your eyes. You might also notice that you empathize strongly with others, feeling their emotions as if they were your own.
Overwhelm in Stimulating Environments: Crowded places, loud noises, or chaotic situations can easily overwhelm your sensitive nervous system. You might prefer quiet, calm environments that allow you to recharge. It's not that you don't enjoy socializing or going out, but you need breaks to process and recover from intense sensory input.
Heightened Sensitivity to Criticism: Criticism can hit you harder than most. You tend to take things to heart and ruminate over negative feedback. Your sensitive nature makes you value harmony and avoid conflict, often striving to please others. Remember, it's essential to prioritize self-compassion and recognize that not all criticism is a reflection of your worth.
Attention to Detail: Highly sensitive people tend to notice the subtleties that others might overlook. You have a keen eye for detail, whether it's spotting a small change in your environment or picking up on someone's non-verbal cues. This eye for detail can also extend to aesthetics, where you appreciate art, nature, and the beauty in everyday life.
Deep Reflection and Introspection: You have an active inner world, and introspection comes naturally to you. You enjoy pondering life's deeper questions and seeking meaning in your experiences. Journaling, meditation, or engaging in creative pursuits provide outlets for your deep reflections.
Empathy and Compassion: HSPs possess a wellspring of empathy and compassion for others. You genuinely care about people's feelings and often find yourself offering a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. Your ability to understand and connect with others on an emotional level is one of your greatest strengths.
Need for Solitude: While you appreciate social connections, you also crave alone time to recharge and process your experiences. You may find solace in nature or in activities that allow you to be alone with your thoughts. It's during these moments that you regain balance and find inner peace.
Remember, being a highly sensitive person is nothing to be ashamed of! Embrace your sensitivity as a unique aspect of who you are. Understanding your sensitivity can help you navigate life with greater self-awareness and self-care. If you resonate with these signs, you're not alone. There's a whole community of highly sensitive people out there who share similar experiences.
Understanding Your Sensitivity
At Revive Therapy in Pennsylvania, we believe that understanding and embracing your sensitivity is the key to living a fulfilling and empowered life. Our experienced therapists specialize in working with highly sensitive individuals and are dedicated to helping you navigate the challenges and harness the strengths that come with your sensitivity.
Our Approach
We take a holistic approach to therapy, recognizing that your sensitivity encompasses various aspects of your being – mind, body, and spirit. Our therapists integrate a range of therapeutic modalities to create a customized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and goals.
Individual Therapy: In one-on-one sessions, you will have the opportunity to explore and process your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Our therapists will help you develop coping strategies to manage overwhelm, set healthy boundaries, and cultivate self-compassion.
Mindfulness and Self-Care: We believe that self-care is crucial for HSPs to thrive. Our therapists will guide you in developing mindfulness practices that help you stay grounded and present amidst the chaos of daily life. We will also explore self-care techniques that nurture your sensitive soul and promote emotional well-being.
Emotional Regulation: As an HSP, managing your emotions can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. Our therapists located in Philadelphia will provide you with practical tools and techniques through Dialectical Behavioral therapy, or DBT, to regulate your emotions effectively. You will learn how to identify and express your feelings in healthy ways, enhancing your ability to navigate relationships and communicate your needs.
Energy Management: Highly sensitive individuals often absorb the energy of others, leading to emotional exhaustion and burnout. Our therapists will teach you strategies to protect and manage your energy, helping you maintain balance and resilience in your interactions with the world.
Self-Discovery and Empowerment: We believe that your sensitivity is not a weakness but a source of immense strength. Through self-discovery exercises and empowering conversations, our therapists will help you uncover and embrace your unique gifts. You will learn how to harness your sensitivity to enhance your relationships, pursue your passions, and live a more authentic and fulfilling life.
“Highly sensitive beings suffer more but they also love harder……dream wider and experience deeper horizons and bliss. When you’re sensitive, you’re alive in every sense of the word in this wildly beautiful world. Sensitivity is your strength. Keep soaking in the light and spreading it to others.”
- Victoria Erickson
Trauma and The Highly Sensitive Person in Philadelphia
Trauma is a profound and complex experience that can have far-reaching effects on individuals. For highly sensitive people (HSPs), who possess a heightened sensitivity to emotions and external stimuli, trauma can leave an indelible mark on their well-being. Understanding how trauma impacts highly sensitive individuals is crucial for providing appropriate support and healing.
Highly sensitive people possess a nervous system that processes stimuli deeply and intensively. This means that they experience emotions, sensory input, and environmental cues more profoundly than the average person. Consequently, trauma can have an amplified impact on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Here are some key aspects of how trauma intersects with sensitivity:
a) Hypervigilance and Sensory Overload: HSPs may be more susceptible to hypervigilance, a state of heightened alertness and constant scanning for potential threats. Trauma can intensify this hypervigilance, leading to sensory overload and increased sensitivity to triggers such as loud noises, crowded spaces, or chaotic environments.
b) Emotional Intensity and Reactivity: Highly sensitive individuals already experience emotions deeply, and trauma can magnify this emotional intensity. Traumatic experiences can trigger intense emotional reactions, making it challenging for HSPs to regulate their emotions effectively. They may be more prone to anxiety, depression, mood swings, and emotional dysregulation.
c) Empathy and Vicarious Trauma: HSPs possess a remarkable capacity for empathy and may absorb the emotions and experiences of others. This empathetic response can make them more susceptible to vicarious trauma, where they experience distress and emotional turmoil due to witnessing or hearing about traumatic events happening to others.
d) Sensitivity to Triggers and Flashbacks: Trauma can create triggers that elicit vivid and distressing memories or sensations associated with the traumatic event. Highly sensitive individuals may be more sensitive to these triggers, leading to flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or physical reactions like panic attacks.
“Highly sensitive beings suffer more but they also love harder, dream wider, and experience deeper horizons and bliss. When you’re sensitive, you’re alive in every sense of the word in this wildly beautiful world. Sensitivity is your strength. Keep soaking in the light and spreading it to others.”
- Victoria Erickson— Quote Source
The Challenges of Healing for Highly Sensitive People in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Healing from trauma is a complex and deeply personal journey, and it can present specific challenges for highly sensitive individuals. Understanding these challenges can help create a more supportive and effective healing environment. Here are some key challenges that highly sensitive people may face:
Overwhelm and Re-traumatization: Highly sensitive individuals may be more prone to feeling overwhelmed during therapy or when discussing traumatic experiences. Their heightened sensitivity to emotions and stimuli can make it challenging to engage in therapeutic work without feeling re-traumatized. Therapists need to create a safe and regulated environment, ensuring that HSPs have adequate coping strategies to manage potential overwhelm.
Self-Criticism and Shame: HSPs often have a deep inner world and a tendency for self-reflection. Following trauma, they may blame themselves or feel intense shame and guilt. The self-critical nature of HSPs can impede the healing process, making it vital for therapists to foster self-compassion and self-acceptance during therapy.
Sensory Sensitivities and Dissociation: Trauma can heighten sensory sensitivities in highly sensitive individuals, making it challenging for them to tolerate certain therapeutic interventions or modalities. Additionally, HSPs may have a propensity for dissociation as a coping mechanism, which can complicate the therapeutic process. Therapists need to adapt interventions to accommodate sensory sensitivities and create grounding techniques to address dissociation.
“Highly sensitive people learned early in life to try to control the external world as a way to attempt to manage their inner one.”
― Sheryl Paul
Start Therapy for Highly Sensitive People in Pennsylvania!
If you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed because you feel things intensely, it’s time to turn what you feel is a burden into a superpower. We have been told over and over again that feeling big emotions means we are “too much” and “something is wrong with us.” We will be the first to tell you that that is complete bullshit! Your emotions are a beautiful thing that will feel overwhelming if you don’t know how to manage them. We want to help you start feeling more in control at Revive Therapy in Pennsylvania. Here you will work with our trauma and EMDR therapists who know firsthand what you are going through. When you’re ready to get started, follow these simple steps:
Meet your HSP Therapist, Salima Shah!
Start learning more about your emotions and how to manage them!
Other Services at Revive Therapy
Even though mental health has become less taboo, it still can feel like therapy is only for people who have BIG problems. We will be the first to say this is far from the truth. You deserve a space to talk through life events that may be holding you back. Whether this is your first time in therapy or you’ve been here before, I am here to help you process, work through, and move toward your goals in a healthy and sustainable way. If you’re looking for other services at Revive Therapy in Pennsylvania, I offer other services. This includes PTSD treatment and trauma therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image issues, binge eating, and more. We also offer EMDR and DBT if you’re in need of more specialized support. All services are offered online in Pennsylvania with the option of in-person sessions in Philadelphia. Take the leap and start healing as a highly sensitive person now!