Amélie Rossignol, RTC
Is any of this true for you?
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You feel your emotions deeply.​
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You are very self-critical, perhaps even a perfectionist.
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You are bothered by certain sights, sounds, textures or smells.
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You feel easily overwhelmed by stress or relationships.
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You have trouble making decisions.
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You need time and space to recharge after feeling overwhelmed or busy.
You may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).
A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is someone who is deeply sensitive to the world, physically, emotionally, and/or socially. Sensitivity is not considered a disorder but is a personality trait that exists in approximately 15 to 20% of people. Highly Sensitive People can be very different from one another, but there are also certain experiences that are more common among HSPs.
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To learn more about Highly Sensitive People, please check out the work of Dr. Elaine Aron: https://hsperson.com/
Common Challenges of Highly Sensitive People
Living in a Not-So-Sensitive World
Every individual is unique, yet Highly Sensitive People can tend to experience certain types of challenges.
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Problems with emotional regulation - We genuinely feel our emotions more strongly on a physiological level. Sometimes, that makes it more difficult to manage our feelings appropriately.
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Anxiety and depression - Feeling everything deeply is especially challenging at a time when we are overwhelmed with information about the world's problems, and day-to-day life is fraught with so many stressors. Our sensitive nervous systems may respond by creating anxiety in order to try to anticipate every problem, or shut down into depression in order to avoid it all.
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Low self-esteem - Our culture praises those who can put aside their feelings, and push through difficulties. As highly sensitive people, in relationships, our families, and in society, we do not generally conform to the ideal which can lead to feeling like we are not good enough, misunderstood, different, broken, alien, or alone.
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Social anxiety or relationship difficulties - Some HSPs are considered very shy when they are young. Difficult social experiences while growing up can contribute to a number of difficulties as an adult. People are unpredictable which may lead to social anxiety. Being highly sensitive to other people's feelings and having a fear of criticism can lead to people-pleasing tendencies.
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None of these challenges are exclusive to Highly Sensitive People, and there are many other factors that can contribute to the challenges. Family patterns, childhood traumas and difficult experiences can affect HSPs more strongly than other people. It is important to understand that it is not weak or wrong to be strongly affected by our experiences, and that it does not mean that we cannot change and grow.
Counselling and the Highly Sensitive Person
Sensitive Counselling for Sensitive People
The world can be a stressful and difficult place for anyone, let alone a Highly Sensitive Person. Along with the mental and emotional difficulties mentioned above, HSPs can be prone to other mental and even physical illnesses that are linked with chronic stress. Therapy can also be a struggle for HSPs, particularly when the therapist is not familiar with the particular challenges (and gifts) of being highly sensitive. As a Highly Sensitive Person herself, Amélie is deeply familiar with the experience of living and healing as a Highly Sensitive Person, and would love to help you on your HSP journey.
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As a therapeutic counsellor, Amélie does not specifically assess for the Highly Sensitive Person trait or give diagnoses of any kind; however, she may help you explore what it may mean to be highly sensitive and how it affects your life.
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Many Highly Sensitive People come to therapy feeling like they are somehow wrong or different. At Inner Haven Counselling, we will work with you to find out what kind of therapy works best for you so that you can create the change you desire without feeling like you need to be "fixed." Amélie's safe, supportive, and authentic approach is ideal to help you in your sensitivity journey.
Book a free 20-minute consultation session to start your journey toward wellness!