Art Therapy for Highly Sensitive People (HSP)

“Why am I so sensitive?”

You’ve heard this message before. Others have told you that you’re too sensitive, too emotional, and overreact. You wonder if there’s something wrong with you. It’s lonely and isolating without people who understand you.

You get overwhelmed by too much socializing, irritating smells or textures, loud noises, strong emotions, and/or too many things to do.

“I want to feel accepted.”

You just want someone to understand you. You want to feel like you belong and that people get you. You’re tired of feeling like you can’t keep up with everyone else. You wish you could let go of the perfectionism, fear of being judged, and your loud inner critic.

I know what it feels like to be highly sensitive.

You’re not alone. It can feel isolating without others who understand your experience. I hear you. I’ve struggled with feeling overwhelmed by others’ and my own emotions. I’ve learned that we, Highly Sensitive People, are not broken. There is nothing wrong with us. We have a strength that deserves to be honored and appreciated. I will help you process the grief that comes along with how others have treated you because of your sensitivity. I will work with you to define your own experience of sensitivity, your challenges and strengths, and what you need to thrive.

How can art therapy help with high sensitivity?

Oftentimes, art therapy is a great fit for HSPs because it gives our creativity and insight the spaced to be expressed. Using art materials can help you work through the shame you’ve felt, the loneliness you’ve experienced, and the overwhelm of your surroundings. We’ll dig into your creativity, find your strengths, and let your intuition step into the process. Don’t worry… you don’t have to be a “good artist” to benefit from art therapy. This is a judgement-free space. All I ask is that you try.

You might be a highly sensitive person if:

• You struggle to make decisions

• You get overwhelmed easily

• You feel anxious about everything you have to do each day

• You need extra time to process information

• You need alone time and quiet time to relax

• You wonder how other people can handle day-to-day life without feeling overwhelmed

• You shut down when there are too many noises, lights, smells, etc.

• You need a break after going to the grocery store, concerts, or other gatherings with large groups of people

• You’ve been called “too sensitive”

• You’ve been told that you’re “overreacting”

• You pay more attention to the emotions of other people than your own

• You wonder if there is something wrong with you

Not sure if you’re an HSP? That’s okay. We can figure it out together.

If you don’t think you’re an HSP but still think we’d be a good fit for therapy, you are more than welcome to reach out. I trust your judgment and I would love to chat about your goals in therapy.