HSP Therapy in San Francisco, CA

Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) refers to having heightened sensitivity to emotions, environments, and sensory information. HSPs process information deeply and thoroughly, often experiencing emotions intensely and noticing subtleties that others might overlook. This sensitivity isn’t a flaw, it’s a trait that shapes how we perceive and interact with the world around us. Developing greater self-awareness is the best place to start.

  1. Emotional intensity: HSPs tend to experience emotions deeply and vividly. They may feel empathy intensely, picking up on subtle emotional cues from others. HSPs tend to respond with heightened sensitivity and understanding. This emotional depth can enrich relationships and lead to greater depth of connections, but it also makes HSPs more vulnerable to emotional overwhelm and stress.

  2. Sensory sensitivity: HSPs can be more sensitive to sensory stimuli. Nuances in sound, bright lighting, unusual textures, visual subtleties in the environment, and strong smells can inspire awe, but sensory-rich environments can also range from slightly uncomfortable to completely overwhelming. This sensitivity can be a gift, as many HSPs become artists, musicians, authors, and creative types. Through our work together, I can support you in deepening your self-awareness so you can better manage your response to the people and places you love most.

  3. Empathy and compassion: HSPs possess a strong capacity for empathy and compassion. They may intuitively understand others, offering support and insight based on their empathetic understanding of the complexities of being human. Specialized therapy focusing on clarifying your boundaries and communicating your needs can help you strengthen your relationships and better manage your energy.

  4. Overstimulation and stress: Due to their heightened sensitivity, HSPs may be more susceptible to stress or overstimulation in busy or chaotic environments. They may need downtime or quiet spaces to recharge and recover from sensory or emotional overload. I can support you in developing routines and habits that will allow you direct your energy and presence where it matters most.

  5. Depth of processing: HSPs engage in deep and thorough processing of information and experiences. They may reflect deeply on situations, analyze details, and consider multiple perspectives before making decisions or forming opinions. This depth of processing can contribute to creativity, insightfulness, and a nuanced understanding of complex issues.

  6. Challenges and strengths: While being an HSP can come with challenges like sensitivity to criticism, difficulty with transitions, or a tendency towards overthinking, HSPs tend to have incredible strengths in creativity, intuition, and a profound appreciation for beauty and meaning in life.

  7. Self-care and boundaries: Managing sensitivity involves practicing self-care strategies tailored to your unique needs, setting boundaries to protect your emotional and physical well-being, and cultivating relationships and environments that support a sense of ease.

Weekly therapy can support those who identify as an HSP to explore and navigate their unique experiences, develop coping strategies, and embrace their sensitivity as a valuable aspect of their identity. By understanding and accepting their sensitivity, my clients have learned to harness their strengths and manage challenges effectively, leading to greater self-awareness and resilience.

If you identify as a Highly Sensitive Person and are seeking support to navigate the complexities of sensitivity in your life, I offer a safe and understanding space to explore these experiences and cultivate strategies for thriving as an HSP.

In-person and online therapy in California

I am currently offering 50-minute individual psychotherapy sessions through video or phone. Here are the steps: 

  1. First, book a free 15-minute consult with me. You can ask any questions you have, and I can learn more about what’s bringing you to therapy.

  2. If we’re a good fit, we can schedule a 50-minute session. Before your session, I’ll send you an intake packet that you can fill out electronically in your own time. During our first session, you can tell me more about your goals and what you’d like to get out of therapy.

  3. We can set up ongoing weekly sessions from there. Each person is different, so the amount of time you spend in therapy will depend on your unique needs and goals.

Over the past decade I have worked with individuals, families, and groups within residential treatment settings, hospitals, schools, and outpatient settings. I also trained with Impact Bay Area, which teaches full force self-defense, personal safety, violence prevention, and personal empowerment courses for women. My community work has also included partnering with NGOs to offer art therapy experiences internationally, and I have worked within hospital settings and family camps focusing on childhood illness and loss of a family member. Many of my clients have struggled with adverse childhood experiences, sexual trauma, multigenerational wounding, addiction, and toxic stress.