For Highly Sensitive People

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?

Would you like to understand that sensitivity actually is your strength?

Or maybe you’re wondering if someone close to you may be a highly sensitive person?

Find out if you fall within the HSP scale
Highly Sensitive Person Quiz

Highly Sensitive People represent up to 20% of the general population and is NOT a gender-based trait.

A trait is an attribute or characteristic related to temperament and personality. As a temperament trait, high sensitivity is not merely a phase or something a HSP will just grow out of. This trait influences learning, growth, behavior and feelings.

How would you know if you’re a Highly Sensitive Person?

Highly sensitive people often prefer to observe new situations to fully process their environment. This can look like avoidance or shyness in groups or highly-stimulating situations. For the HSP, there is a deeper internal process occurring within them that requires more time and quiet space. If the stimulation becomes too overwhelming, highly sensitive people may shut down or tune out to block sensory input. Because of this unique sensitivity and response, there can be difficulty navigating mainstream culture’s expectations.

People with high sensitivity are also more thoughtful and empathetic to the needs of other people. Due to a heightened awareness of their surroundings, plus the mood or energy of other people, HSP’s can unknowingly absorb the energy of other people. This can be incredibly painful, confusing and overwhelming.

Working with a therapist, highly sensitive people learn how to keep other’s energy outside,
and take more time for themselves to reset.

Emotional intensity is another aspect of high sensitivity. Some parents may describe their child as difficult or overly sensitive, especially if comparison is being made to other peers. Teachers may notice a student has challenges with moving from one activity to the next during school.

In addition, teachers and parents often observe a highly sensitive person to be very sharp and gifted. Simple, present-moment tasks are far more aligned for a HSP than expecting multi-tasking and a busy pace when completing projects or with problem-solving.

Dr. Elaine Aron, the premier writer and researcher of the Highly Sensitive Person trait, created the “D.O.E.S.” model to identify key aspects:

D = Depth of Processing. We observe and mull it over before we act. We reflect upon lessons learned from our and others’ experiences.

O = Overstimulated. Since we notice more in any situation, we will hit that overstimulated point before a non-HSP. Moderately arousing settings can seem over-arousing to an HSP.

E = Emotional reactivity. We have strong emotional reactions, and we are in tune with others’ emotional cues, which makes us very empathetic.

S = Subtle Stimuli. We notice subtle stimuli in the environment that others don’t.

As a highly-sensitive person and therapist,
Celeste can help you navigate this trait
and learn how to use your sensitivity as a superpower!

With a strengths-based approach, you can feel confident and empowered in all areas of your life.