emmacameron.com

Art Therapy and Creative Wisdom

  • Home
  • About
  • Anxiety
  • Work With Me
    • Psychotherapy, Art Therapy & Counselling Colchester
    • Online Art Therapy
    • Creativity Coaching & Mentoring
    • Supervision
    • Therapy Client Data GDPR
  • For Therapists
  • Highly Sensitive (HSP)
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Highly Sensitive (HSP)

Highly Sensitive (HSP)

Highly Sensitive Person HSP therapy counselling Essex online counselling

Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) – what does that even mean?

And could HSP describe you?

Around 15%-20% of the population could be described as having the trait of high sensitivity (known as HSP, ‘Highly Sensitive Person’).

It’s not a mental illness or disorder in any way. It seems simply to be a genetically heritable trait, something you’re either born with, or you’re not. (High sensitivity is apparently even seen in animals, having been observed in individuals in over 100 species). We’ll look into the trait of high sensitivity in a moment, but first I want to clear something up:

Is ‘highly sensitive’ the same as ‘over-sensitive’ or ‘hyper-sensitive’?

Sometimes people confuse the HSP trait with being ‘over-sensitive’ and overreacting emotionally. But in fact these are two different things.

Someone who overreacts or behaves over-sensitively to (for example) something you say, is more likely to have something else going on in their emotional background. This could be any of the following: a history of trauma, growing up in a climate of racism/sexism etc, problems with how they were parented, attachment difficulties, being bullied; or something else.

Of course, a highly sensitive person can also have the kind of difficulties I’ve just described. It’s just that not all HSP’s have a lot of trauma or insecurity in their background (just as with non-HSP’s).

What are the characteristics of a Highly Sensitive Person?

One way to summarise the main aspects of the HSP trait is to use the acronym DOES.

DOES stands for:

  • Depth of processing
  • Overstimulation
  • Emotional responsivity/ Empathy
  • Sensitivity to subtleties

Let’s unpick each of those a little (and as a side note: there is a growing body of scientific evidence for each of these elements).

1. Depth of processing

What does ‘processing’ mean?

‘Processing’ is when you have a response to something that is happening, or has happened. Processing could mean a combination of some of the following:

  • ‘Making a mental note’ of it
  • Noticing all your various feelings about it
  • ‘Thinking it through’
  • Going through different phases of feelings about it
  • Responding using an art form (dance, crafts, painting, writing, etc)
  • Taking it to therapy
  • Relating it to previous experiences
  • Drawing conclusions based on sensations, facts, experiences, and other stimuli
  • Talking it through with someone
  • Taking time to look at it from different angles

Everyone processes things that they experience or encounter. However, HSP’s tend to process on a deeper level, with greater intensity, and sometimes over a longer timescale, than non-HSP’s.

2. Overstimulation

HSP’s get stressed from too much stimulation more readily than do non-HSP’s. Noticing multiple details of social cues, complicated ideas, interactions, noises, smells, etc, gets exhausting for an HSP if it goes on for too long at too high an intensity. So after an intense day at work, they may need to have a quiet evening, rather than to unwind by going to a party or see an exciting movie.

Note: There is a subtype of HSP called the ‘high sensation-seeking HSP‘. These people seek (and need) thrilling, high-sensation experiences; but they too can get easily over-stimulated, so this needs to be carefully managed.

3. Emotional responsivity/ Empathy

HSP’s may respond more deeply than non-HSP’s to emotional cues. Sometimes this is obvious: an HSP may cry readily, and express joy unreservedly. However, it’s been my experience that this emotional responsivity is not always evident to an outside observer; and indeed an HSP may have unconsciously learned to try to minimise their emotional responses even to themselves.

Scientific studies involving brain imaging have shown that an HSP’s brain and body can have heightened reactions even when not as clearly seen from the outside. This seems to apply particularly to positive cues (there’s a strong reaction to negative cues too, but that tends to apply to most people, rather than being more of an HSP thing).

If you’re an HSP you probably tend to be particularly empathic, picking up and being affected by someone else’s emotion almost as if you are feeling it yourself.  Again, scientific studies bear this out.

4. Sensitivity to subtleties

This is the part that most HSP’s are particularly aware of in themselves. HSP’s notice the subtle layers to things. They may instinctively pick up on a great many of the finer details of what’s going on in an interaction, including non-verbal cues, prosody (tone of voice), underlying meanings, and people’s moods. This can inform their intuition and affect their own emotions.

But when an HSP is worn-out, stressed and over-stimulated? Then, they may be able to take in very little, because they feel so overwhelmed with their need to get some rest and down-time.

How can I tell if I’m an HSP?

There’s a test you can take, for free, here. It’s not a diagnosis (HSP is not a disorder), it’s more of a guide which may help you.

What kinds of therapy suit HSP’s? And what about online therapy for HSP?

I believe that Highly Sensitive people do better with a therapist or counsellor who is either (a) an HSP themselves, or (b) is knowledgeable about the trait and is able to tailor the therapy or counselling accordingly.

The HSP trait is not widely known about (although this is changing) so you may find that your therapist or counsellor is unaware of it. However, many therapists and counsellors already have a wonderful capacity for empathy and attunement, so don’t automatically rule them out as a good fit for your needs.

I find that AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) can be particularly effective for highly sensitive people. You can read more about AEDP here.

Online counselling for HSP

Online therapy can work extremely well for many HSP’s, although as with most things, it won’t suit everybody. It’s a good idea to make sure your therapist has additional training for working online (in the UK, there’s a Diploma in Online Therapy) and, as with face-to-face therapists, ask them if they have an understanding of the HSP trait.

Can High Sensitivity be removed?

Just to be clear: therapy or counselling for a highly sensitive person is not about removing the trait (which would be impossible).

Instead, it’s about helping you to adjust better to your own needs, and understand yourself better; and/or processing your difficulties (whether that’s the effects of trauma, issues such as anxiety or depression, relationship concerns, a significant loss, or whatever).

Therapy can also help if you also have a tendency to be ‘hyper-sensitive’ or to ‘overreact’ (see above).

Is ‘Highly Sensitive’ another way of saying ‘Introvert’ or ‘Shy’?

HSP introvert shy are not synonymous. Highly sensitiveNo. Although the majority of HSP’s are introverts, 30% are extroverts. And there are many introverts who don’t meet the criteria for HSP. And shyness? Shyness is generally considered to be a learned characteristic, not an inbuilt genetically-based trait.

Is the trait only found in females?

No. It’s found across genders. Some males have learned more skilful ways of hiding their HSP qualities, as many cultures do not value the strengths associated with sensitivity.

Is it better to be an HSP or a non-HSP?

Neither! There are pluses and minuses either way. Anyhow, it’s not something you get to choose.

So if you are an HSP, don’t try and fight it. Instead, learn as much as you can about the trait. This should help you figure out ways that you can adapt your daily life as well as possible. Learning about high sensitivity can also help you educate your family and friends, and raise their awareness about what works and doesn’t work when they interact with you.

On this site

5-Minute Soothing Exercise for HSP’s

Podcasts for Creative, Sensitive Women

Highly Sensitive Person’s Guide to Online Counselling

Emotions: 17 Things You Need to Know About Your Feelings

A lot of my other blog posts are particularly relevant to HSP’s (scroll down to the bottom of this page).

Further Reading (online)

Are you anxious, introverted or just a ‘highly sensitive person’?

Sensitive? Emotional? Empathetic? It Could Be in Your Genes

Tests to see if you (or your child) may be Highly Sensitive

Scientific Evidence for High Sensitivity

Grieving ‘Normal’ and Embracing Sensitive

How To Restore Your Highly Sensitive Life: Beating Burnout and Depression

Working with the Highly Sensitive Client: a Brief Introduction for Therapists

How to Set Boundaries When You are a Highly Sensitive Person

How to be Cared for as a Highly Sensitive Person

5 Types of Overwhelm You May Experience as a Highly Sensitive Person

Highly Sensitive People: a Condition Rarely Understood

Shinrin-Yoku ‘Forest Bathing’ in London

Further Reading (books)

‘The Highly Sensitive Person’ by Dr. Elaine Aron

‘Brain Training For The Highly Sensitive Person: Techniques To Reduce Anxiety and Overwhelming Emotions: An 8-Week Program’ by Julie Bjelland LMFT

‘The HSP’s Survival Guide’ by Dr Ted Zeff

‘Making Work Work for the HSP’ by Barrie Jaeger

‘The Power of Sensitivity: Success Stories by HSP’s’ by Dr Ted Zeff

‘Self-Care for the Self-Aware’ by Dave Markowitz

Podcasts

Women in Depth, episode 53  ‘Understanding the Highly Sensitive Person’ with April Snow

Women in Depth, episode 63, ‘Gifts and Challenges of the Highly Sensitive Person’ with Julie Bjelland

Alanis Morissette podcast episode 12, Conversation with Dr Elaine Aron

Practice of Being Seen, Highly Sensitive series, episode 57

The Highly Sensitive Person Podcast

Videos

‘Too Emotional’ by Mayim Bialik

‘A Talk on High Sensitivity’ by Dr Elaine Aron

‘The Gentle Power of Highly Sensitive People’ by Elena Herdieckerhoff

‘Are You a Highly Sensitive Person?’ by Andy Mort

‘Coping Strategies for the Highly Sensitive Person’ interview with Dr. Ted Zeff

Finding an HSP-Knowledgeable Therapist or Counsellor

I’m Emma Cameron, MA, and I offer online therapy for HSP’s in the UK and around the world (excluding USA and Canada, for licensing reasons).
There are also a couple of directories you can try:
  • Dr Elaine Aron, ‘Seeking an HSP Knowledgeable Therapist’
  • A service directory for sensitive persons
Online counselling for the Highly Sensitive Person #HSP Click To Tweet

Therapy for HSP in Colchester Essex

I also work with Highly Sensitive Persons in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy and Counselling for HSP in Colchester, Essex, UK.
  • Online counselling for HSP
  • Art Therapy for HSP in Colchester Essex
  • Counselling for HSP in Colchester Essex
  • Integrative Arts Psychotherapy for HSP in Colchester Essex
You can email me at emmaspcameron [at] proton mail [dot] com to discuss what you are looking for.

I hope you have found this page helpful as a starting point to understanding the trait of High Sensitivity.

Information on this website is meant for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychological evaluation or treatment. If you are concerned about your mental or physical health, please see a medical doctor or mental health professional to address your concerns. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or impulses, please dial 999 or 911 to seek emergency treatment immediately. Emma Cameron does not provide emergency mental health treatment. All text and images on this site ©Emma Cameron 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and may not be copied, published or used without permission. ©Emma Cameron All Rights Reserved

Blog post categories

Recent Blog Posts

  • Emotional First-Aid Kit
  • Top Tips for New Therapists
  • EMDR Therapy – What is it?
  • What Do Experiential Therapists Ask
  • What is Experiential Therapy?
  • Trauma Therapy Has Changed – Here’s How
  • Well-Meant Advice That’s Just Wrong
  • What is AEDP?
  • Secure Attachment – What Is It and How Do You Get It?
  • Attachment – A Beginner’s Guide
  • How to Get Less Stressed at Family Gatherings
  • Ground Yourself – 12 Easy Ways to Get Calmer
  • Art Therapy – Frequently Asked Questions
  • What Happens In an Art Therapy Session?
  • Top 10 Things I Love About Being a Therapist
  • How to Manage Your Climate Anxiety
  • When I First Went to Therapy
  • Addicted to Worrying?
  • Heartfelt Summer Fiction Recommended by Therapists
  • Feel More Secure Inside with Attachment Based Therapy
  • Coaching or Therapy – What Do I Need?
  • 7 Myths About Coaching vs Therapy
  • Therapy Works. Here’s How I Know
  • What is PTSD?
  • Why NOW Could Be the Perfect Time to Go to Therapy

Copyright © 2023 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in