You Feel Deeply—And That’s Your Strength
Therapy for Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) to Help You Feel More Grounded, Resilient, and Empowered in a World that Often Feels Overwhelming.
What is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) experiences deep cognitive processing and heightened emotional responsiveness. Sensitivity is a natural trait, present in about 20% of people, and can be a strength when properly understood and managed.
Feels emotions deeply and intensely
Need alone time to decompress
Easily overwhelmed by noise, crowds, or stress
Highly intuitive and empathetic
Deep thinker and reflective
Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?
Some people experience the world more deeply. If loud noises, strong emotions, or social settings often overwhelm you, you may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).
HSPs make up 20% of the population. This is a trait, not a disorder. When embraced, this trait can be a powerful strength.
Symptoms may include:
Overwhelm and overstimulation
Anxiety and depression
Shyness or social anxiety
Dislike of superficial relationships
Intense emotions, both positive and negative
Difficulty with change and decision-making
Feeling misunderstood or isolated
Stress from work or school
Striving for perfection
Challenges setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care
How Therapy Helps HSPs: Learn to Thrive, Not Just Cope
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Turn Sensitivity into a Strength
Learn how to embrace your unique traits.
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Manage Overwhelm in Your Life
Gain tools to manage stimulation.
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Develop Healthy Boundaries
Protect your energy without the guilt.
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Find Balance & Confidence
Live life on your terms, without stress.
Common Myths About Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)—Debunked
Many people misunderstand what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). Sensitivity is often mistaken for weakness or emotional instability, but in reality, it's a completely normal trait found in about 15-20% of the population. Let’s clear up some common myths!
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Fact: HSPs process emotions deeply due to heightened brain sensitivity, which is a scientifically recognized trait—not a personality flaw.
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Fact: Many HSPs thrive in high-pressure environments once they learn strategies to manage overstimulation.
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Fact: Sensitivity is a strength that can enhance relationships, creativity, and leadership skills.
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Fact: High sensitivity is not a disorder. While some HSPs may experience anxiety, the two are not the same thing.
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Fact: While many HSPs are introverted, about 30% are extroverted. Sensitivity is about how deeply you process information, not your social energy level.
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Fact: Many successful leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives are HSPs. Sensitivity enhances emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and innovation.
✅ Albert Einstein – Physicist & Theoretical Genius
💬 Einstein was deeply introspective, sensitive to noise and chaos, and often spoke about his rich inner world. His ability to deeply reflect and think abstractly revolutionized science.✅ Steve Jobs – Co-Founder of Apple
💬 Jobs was highly intuitive, deeply affected by aesthetics, and extremely detail-oriented. His ability to sense and create products that resonated with people’s emotions is a hallmark of an HSP.✅ Mahatma Gandhi – Political & Spiritual Leader
💬 Gandhi’s deep sense of empathy, nonviolent resistance, and ability to remain steadfast in his beliefs despite overwhelming opposition are characteristics often found in HSPs.✅ Oprah Winfrey – Media Mogul & Philanthropist
💬 Oprah has spoken openly about her deep emotional processing, strong intuition, and how she relies on feelings to guide her decisions. She’s built an empire based on understanding human emotions and empathy. -
Sensitivity is a natural trait found across all genders, including men, nonbinary, and transgender individuals. However, cultural norms and societal expectations may discourage some people—especially men and masculine-presenting individuals—from openly expressing their sensitivity. In reality, being an HSP has nothing to do with gender; it’s simply a way of processing the world more deeply.
Are You an HSP? Take the Quiz to Find Out!
Discover your sensitivity profile and what it means for your relationships, work, and self-care.
Many people experience deep emotions and heightened sensitivity, but how do you know if you’re truly an HSP? Take our quick and insightful HSP Quiz to explore your traits and understand how they shape your experiences.
Click on the badge to start quiz.
Your Sensitivity is a Strength - When Managed Well
Strengths
Deep Emotional Awareness - You feel & process emotions profoundly.
Heightened Creativity - You notice details and connections others miss.
Strong Empathy & Intuition - You understand others on a deep level.
Challenges
Overstimulation - Noise, crowds, and busy environments feel overwhelming.
Emotional Exhaustion - You absorb other’s emotions and energy.
Difficulty Setting Boundaries - Saying “no” can feel impossible.
Meet Our HSP Expert Therapists
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Lisa Chen, LMFT
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Lisa Newman, LMFT
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Jessica Slavin, AMFT
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Gabriel Gilbert-Lurie, AMFT
Mastering Life as an HSP: Tools & Insights to Thrive
What are the signs and symptoms of a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
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A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is someone with a heightened nervous system response to stimuli. About 20% of the population falls into this category, experiencing deep emotions, strong empathy, and sensitivity to sounds, lights, and social interactions.
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If you often feel overwhelmed by sensory input, deeply process emotions, or need extra time to recover from social interactions, you may be an HSP. You can take our free HSP quiz to explore your sensitivity levels.
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No. While many HSPs are introverted, about 30% of HSPs are extroverted. HSPs are more sensitive to environmental and emotional stimuli, whereas introverts prefer solitude and anxious individuals experience excessive worry.
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Absolutely! Sensitivity is a strength, not a weakness. With the right tools—such as therapy, boundary-setting, and mindfulness—HSPs can excel in relationships, careers, and personal well-being.
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Therapy provides a space to:
Understand & embrace your sensitivity
Develop coping strategies for overstimulation & emotional overwhelm
Improve relationships by setting healthy boundaries
Build resilience and prevent burnout
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At our Los Angeles-based and online therapy practice, we use approaches tailored to HSPs, including:
EMDR Therapy – for emotional processing & healing past sensitivities
Mindfulness-Based Therapy – to reduce overstimulation
Internal Family Systems (IFS) – to work through emotional depth
Attachment-Based Therapy – for deep relational work
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Not every HSP needs therapy, but if overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, or sensitivity-related challenges affect your daily life, therapy can help you navigate life with greater ease and confidence.
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Here are some practical strategies:
Create a calming routine (daily quiet time, deep breathing)
Use noise-canceling headphones in overstimulating environments
Set clear boundaries to protect your energy
Engage in grounding activities (nature walks, meditation)
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Yes! HSPs are deeply caring and intuitive partners. Therapy can help you set boundaries, communicate needs effectively, and prevent emotional burnout in relationships.
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Yes! Our therapy practice specializes in working with HSPs, deep feelers, and highly intuitive individuals. We offer individual and couples therapy to help HSPs thrive.
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We are an out-of-network practice, meaning we do not bill insurance directly. However, we can provide superbills for potential reimbursement.
Real Stories, Real Transformation
