Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
Navigating Life as a Highly Sensitive Person: Sage Counseling and Wellness Services
You come home from a long day and you are exhausted. Not just tired, but completely drained of all energy.
You try to wind down, but you’re overstimulated and it takes longer than everyone you know to finally breathe and think clearly again.
Maybe people have even said you’re “too sensitive”.
You may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).
There is nothing wrong with you and you’re not alone, I am a HSP myself.
It’s found in 20% of the population and affects both men and women.
Looking for a HSP therapist in Atlanta or online?
I’ve done the work to become more knowledgeable about our part of the population by completing the Psychotherapy and The Highly Sensitive Person Seminar.
Embrace Your Sensitivity: As a Highly Sensitive Person you may have some of these traits:
- Pick up on tiny differences or changes
- Reflect and think a lot about many things
- Pay attention to every little detail or change
- Find that you’re more in tune with your emotions
- Notice that you’re more affected by stress than others around you
- Consider yourself creative
- Maybe you’re a perfectionist and/or people pleaser
- Have trouble with burnout
- Experience empathy for others deeply
Check out Dr. Elaine Aron’s website below
Setting Boundaries with Compassion and Other Skills We Can Work On with HSPs at Sage Counseling and Wellness:
- How to interact with non-HSPs
- Set up a routine in your life that feels right for you
- How to reframe your thoughts and be kinder to yourself
- Improve low self-esteem
- How to handle constructive criticism and not overreact
- Be assertive with your needs
- How to relax when overstimulated
- Process big changes in life together
- Find great relationships that work with your sensitivity needs
Check out my video below to see if we’re a good fit!
What Comes Next
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with the therapist you would like to work with or fill out our potential client form here. From there, you will set up your first session, also known as an intake session. With your chosen therapist, let them know a bit about your concern, your history with past treatment, ask about our fees, and the best days and times to attend therapy sessions.
Fees
Each therapist at Sage Counseling and Wellness has their own fee structure. When you have the initial consultation call with your therapist, you will discuss your fee with them.
Our therapists do not participate in-network with any insurance companies. Clients pay their therapist each time they come to a session and are then emailed an insurance-compatible statement at the end of each month to send to their insurance companies for out-of-network reimbursement called a superbill. Each insurance company varies on what reimbursement they give for psychotherapy out of network. You may want to check with your insurance company to find out what they offer for psychotherapy with a therapist with your therapist’s particular licensure in Georgia.
What Can I Expect at My First Therapy Appointment?
Many people have fears, assumptions, and at times, no idea at all about what therapy will be like the first time they come in for a first session. We would also encourage you to reach out and ask your therapist any questions you have about what therapy will be like with them.
Each therapist has their own way of approaching their work. But here are some things that may happen in your first session here at Sage Counseling and Wellness:
- When you start your first online appointment, you’ll be in the virtual waiting room.
- While you wait for your appointment, take a moment to breathe, look over any thoughts or items you’d like to share in the session, and perhaps take a restroom break beforehand so you can be fully present.
- As sessions are virtual, you can sit however you want to sit comfortably. Some clients prefer to sit at a desk, others in a comfy chair with a laptop or tablet, and some others sit on the floor on a yoga mat to stretch while in session. It’s completely up to you.
- In your first session, your therapist will likely remind you that what you talk about in session is completely confidential with a few legal and ethical exceptions, which will be explained to you (and which are outlined in our consent to treatment document). If you have any questions about those policies, you’re encouraged to ask!
- Your therapist might discuss any other policies they have (cancellation, payment, session length, scheduling, or other ‘frequently asked questions’). This all only takes a few minutes.
- Then, depending on the level of crisis that you’re currently experiencing, your therapist might review their particular style of therapy, discuss your intake form with you, begin a more thorough assessment of your history, or just ask you what brings you in at that particular time. From there on, it’s a conversation and there are no right or wrong things for you to say — the only thing you can do ‘wrong’ at that point is to be dishonest, and in doing so you would only slow down your progress. If there is something about your therapist that seems like it would get in the way of you feeling comfortable being honest, you can say so, and your therapist may be able to help you feel more comfortable. We want you to feel comfortable and confident with your therapist. If at any time you don’t, please let them know or let the director know.
- Your therapist may or may not take notes, depending on their treatment style. These notes are also confidential unless you consent to their release, and they are kept safely in our electronic health record system.
- Therapy is a safe space to show your vulnerability so crying is perfectly acceptable.
- You’ll pay for your session at the end, generally, via your credit card on file.
- You can discuss a regular meeting time with your therapist so that this time becomes your reserved time. This helps in accountability for you to work on your progress as well.