UNDERSTANDING HSPs
Highly Sensitive People account for 20% of the population
When a trait exists in 20% of people it is too common to be disorder. But it is still rare enough to be misunderstood by the majority. According to Dr. Elaine Aron, a pioneer in sensitivity research: "Biologists have found this trait in over 100 species (and probably there are many more) from fruit flies, birds, and fish to dogs, cats, horses, and primates. This trait reflects a certain type of survival strategy, being observant before acting."
While HSPs account for 20% of the population as a whole, about 50% of therapy patients are HSPs. Highly sensitive people are, according to Dr. Aron, easily overwhelmed by bright, noisy, crowded stimuli and whirlwind schedules, and tend to withdraw to quiet spaces in order to find relief. Given that such a high percentage of therapy patients have this trait, it is important to our practice that we understand the innate characteristics of HSPs.
Highly sensitive people are very responsive to their environments. Like plants, they thrive in settings where they are nurtured and wilt when their needs are neglected. If you are an HSP, our practice can help you understand this trait, and use that knowledge to both contextualize past experiences and navigate your current surroundings.