Category: trauma

HSPs:  Healing from Toxic & Abusive Relationships – [Podcast Interview]

In this podcast, Dr. Lourdes Viado and I discuss how to recognize an abusive vs. toxic relationship and how to start the healing process — plus how you might be uniquely impacted from this experience as an Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).

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If you are recovering from an abusive or toxic relationship, you can feel alone, isolated and broken.
  • It’s not uncommon to blame yourself for the abuse (even though it wasn’t your fault.)
  • It’s hard to fully trust your current partner, because of how you’ve been hurt in the past.
  • You might find yourself endlessly swiping on online dating app, never allowing yourself to go on dates.
  • You might still have flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or alternate between feelings of powerlessness and rage.
Continue reading “HSPs:  Healing from Toxic & Abusive Relationships – [Podcast Interview]” →

Dear Highly Sensitive People, You Don’t Need To Change.

Arianna Smith3 Comments
If you aren’t familiar with the term “Highly Sensitive Person” or “HSP” it refers to about 15-20% of the population which possess a unique sensory processing trait which allows them to pick up more on subtleties in the environment, resulting in deeper processing and often being easily overwhelmed with stimuli. Most people exist on a spectrum of sensitivity. Take the self-test here.

Many Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) were told — either consciously or unconsciously — to “toughen up” to survive this world.

Unfortunately, you probably got this message when you were very, very young.  And it stayed with you.

You learn you had to camouflage and hide your sensitivity – and thus hide who you are at your core.

Here’s an alternative:

Continue reading “Dear Highly Sensitive People, You Don’t Need To Change.” →

Change is Like an Earthquake: A Therapist’s Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Growing up in Alaska, earthquakes were as common as a cloudy sky.

We learned how to do earthquake drills as soon as we entered grade school. A light flashes, siren blare, and the drill starts.

The protocol goes like this: Get under a desk, table, or chair. Cover your head and neck with your arms. No table? Get in a doorway. Brace yourself between two sturdy beams if you can’t find cover.  

Then, hold on. Just wait. Continue reading “Change is Like an Earthquake: A Therapist’s Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic” →

Self-Care Strategies for Highly Sensitive People During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Arianna Smith5 Comments
Please remember to follow all public health guidelines to keep you and your community safe.

Nearly every life is being touched in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are facing unprecedented times as a community, nation, and world.

As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), you’re undoubtedly feeling hard hit by everything happening around you.

Given how your HSP brain is wired, it makes complete sense if you’re struggling right now.

Here’s why:

Continue reading “Self-Care Strategies for Highly Sensitive People During the COVID-19 Pandemic” →

For HSPs: 6 Reasons Therapy Isn’t Working And What To Do About It

If you’re a Highly Sensitive Person, simple changes can go a long way to maximize your therapy experience

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As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), therapy can be an incredible tool for self-exploration, personal growth, healing past wounds, or bettering your relationships.

You can learn the basic traits of being an HSP.  You can learn to finally speak up for yourself.  You can learn what to do when you just can’t stop thinking and ruminating about the past.  You can learn how being a sensitive child has influenced you today.

Unfortunately, there are times when you’re not getting everything you hoped from therapy.   Continue reading “For HSPs: 6 Reasons Therapy Isn’t Working And What To Do About It” →

Coming May 2019 – Summer Group For Sensitive Souls

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– Announcing –

Healing + Empowerment for the Sensitive Soul

An 8-week Therapy Group Intensive for Sensitives, Empaths, and Deep Feelers

Does this sound like you?

  • You’ve always felt different. You notice things others don’t catch.  You’re creative, empathic, and highly observant.
  • You avoid conflict at all costs.  You were raised to be ‘nice’ and put others’ needs before your own.  It leaves you feeling lost, resentful, and depressed.
  • Others criticize you for being “too emotional” or “too much”.  They don’t understand how painful it is to feel overwhelmed and overstimulated.  You wish you could learn to let their words roll off your back.
  • Your inner world is so complex and rich.  You wish you knew someone else who sees the world the way you do and feels as deeply as you do.
  • You get frustrated when there is too much on your plate.  You wish you could juggle multiple commitments with the ease of others. It adds to the feeling that you don’t quite fit in.
  • You have a deep need for purpose, novelty, connection, and excitement.  You also need lots of downtime and solitude.  You don’t know how to balance the needs of both sides of you and end up feeling either bored, lonely, or burned out.

Join a therapy group this summer that was created with you in mind.

Continue reading “Coming May 2019 – Summer Group For Sensitive Souls” →

For Highly Sensitive People: How to Take Care Of Yourself After An Epic Storm

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If you’re anywhere in the Denver or surrounding areas, you just witnessed a winter storm of historic proportions.

A “bomb cyclone” hit the Front Range yesterday, resulting in hurricane-level winds, thousands of folks left without power, numerous accidents and stranded vehicles.  Additionally, Denver International Airport grounded all flights yesterday, leaving over 4,000 people stranded at the airport.  As I write this, runways are starting to open, but many major highways are still closed. 

Continue reading “For Highly Sensitive People: How to Take Care Of Yourself After An Epic Storm” →

6 Reasons Why Highly Sensitive People Need A Capsule Wardrobe

Arianna Smith1 Comment

Getting dressed in the morning can be overwhelming for Highly Sensitive People. You walk into a jam-packed closet, yet feel like you have nothing to wear.  All your favorite outfits are in the wash.  Your cozy clothes aren’t “professional” enough for work.  You just don’t feel like wearing black (again) today.  All your shirts with annoying tags or ill-placed seams are banished to the back of your closet.  Continue reading “6 Reasons Why Highly Sensitive People Need A Capsule Wardrobe” →