You've always felt everything a little bit more.
The tag in your shirt. Your tailbone on the yoga mat. That slight edge in someone's voice. The sadness in the movie that lingers for days.
You notice what others miss: when your friend's vibe feels just a little off, or there's extra tension in the room, or the heartbreaking beauty of a certain time of day.
You need more recovery time: Crowds, noise, and a day full of plans leave you drained, even when you enjoyed them.
You're easily over-stimulated.
You've probably been told you're "too sensitive," or that you "think too much." Maybe you've tried to toughen up.
Maybe you've wondered, "what's wrong with me?"
There's nothing wrong with you. You're a highly sensitive person.
Psychologist Elaine Aron coined the term "highly sensitive person" (HSP) in the 1990s to describe a temperament trait she called sensory processing sensitivity. Her research suggests that roughly 15–20% of people are born with it. This isn't a disorder or a diagnosis, but a different way of experiencing our world.
Aron, who drew on Jung's idea of "innate sensitiveness," describes four core qualities of the trait:
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Depth of processing. You think things through carefully, and reflect deeply on your experiences.
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Overstimulation. Because you take in so much, you reach your limit sooner than others; you need more down time.
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Emotional responsiveness and empathy. You have an extraordinary capacity to experience not only your own emotions, but others', intensely.
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Sensitivity to subtleties. You notice small details, shifts, and nuances that others overlook.
While these qualities are gifts—the source of your intuition, your creativity, your compassion, and your rich inner life— they can often leave us feeling out of place and exhausted in our extraverted, fast-moving culture.
Being an unsupported HSP can feel like always being hungry for something; never quite satisfied, yearning for something just beyond reach.
When sensitivity becomes overwhelm.
Sensitivity on its own isn't the problem. But sensitive children are especially affected by their environments, for better and for worse. Aron's research suggests that HSPs raised in supportive environments often thrive, while those who grew up with stress, criticism, or emotional neglect are more vulnerable to anxiety and depression later on.
If no one helped you make sense of your big feelings, you probably found other ways to cope. You might have learned to:
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Stay constantly alert, scanning for danger or disapproval (overthinking and anxiety)
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Keep the peace by putting everyone else's needs first (people-pleasing and the fawn response)
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Shut down, numb out, or mask your sensitivity completely.
For many HSPs, these patterns are tied to complex trauma (C-PTSD), which can make life feel even more overwhelming.
Therapy that honors your sensitivity.
As a highly sensitive person myself, I know that the answer isn't to become less sensitive. Instead, we can honor who we are by supporting our nervous systems, establishing a lifestyle that is resourcing rather than draining, and learning to trust the wisdom our sensitivity offers.
Somatic therapy is a natural fit for HSPs, because so much of your experience lives in the body. Together, we'll gently notice what happens in your body when you're overwhelmed, and practice ways to enforce necessary boundaries, and replenish your energy reserves.
Jungian therapy speaks the language of the sensitive soul. Many HSPs have vivid dreams, a strong intuition, and a rich imaginative life. Rather than treating your depth as a problem, we'll turn toward it, through your dreams, images, and creative expression, as a source of guidance.
Our sessions move at your pace. You'll never be pushed into more than your system can handle, and you're always free to slow down or say no.
In our work together, you can learn to:
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Recognize the early signs of overwhelm in your body, before you hit your limit
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Recover more quickly after a hard day, a crowded event, or an emotional conversation
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Set boundaries that protect your energy, without guilt
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Discern the difference between your own feelings and the feelings you've absorbed from others
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Trust your intuition as a source of wisdom, rather than something to second-guess
You don't have to keep pushing through, or apologizing for how deeply you feel. If this resonates, I'd love to talk to you about what you're navigating and whether this approach is the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is being a highly sensitive person a diagnosis?
How do I know if I'm a highly sensitive person?
Is high sensitivity the same as autism or ADHD?
Can I do therapy online?
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
C.G. Jung