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Learn more about high sensitivity
High sensitivity, or being a highly sensitive person (HSP), refers to a trait involving deeper processing of sensory, emotional, and social information than most people experience. The concept, developed by psychologist Elaine Aron, describes a neurological difference found in a significant minority of the population, characterised by greater awareness of subtleties, stronger emotional responses, and a tendency to become more easily overstimulated by intense environments. High sensitivity is not a disorder or a diagnosis; it is a trait that comes with genuine strengths, including empathy, creativity, and attunement to others, alongside real challenges in a world not always designed for people who process deeply.
Highly sensitive people do not always recognise the trait in themselves, particularly if they have internalised the message that sensitivity is a problem to be managed.
- You become easily overwhelmed by busy environments, loud sounds, strong smells, or a great deal going on at once
- You feel emotions intensely and need more time than others seem to need to recover from difficult or stimulating experiences
- You notice subtleties in situations, moods, and relationships that others appear to miss
- Criticism, conflict, or disappointment affects you deeply and for longer than you would like
- You need significant time alone to recover after social or demanding situations
- You have often been told you are too sensitive, too emotional, or that you should develop a thicker skin
- You feel out of step with workplaces or social environments that reward a faster, less reflective pace
Approaches that work well for highly sensitive people tend to be non-directive, body-aware, and respectful of the need for a calm, unhurried therapeutic environment.
- Counselling Counselling provides a consistent, low-intensity space to explore the experiences and relationships that have shaped how you relate to your sensitivity, at your own pace.
- Person-centred approach Person-centred therapy places the person's own experience and wisdom at the centre, which suits highly sensitive people who often thrive when given space rather than direction.
- CFT (Compassion-focused therapy) CFT addresses the self-criticism that many highly sensitive people carry, often internalised from years of being told that their natural responses are too much, building a more supportive internal relationship.
- Somatic coaching Somatic coaching attends to the physical dimension of sensitivity, including how overstimulation is held in the body and how to build greater capacity for difficult sensations and emotions.
- Mindfulness Mindfulness-based approaches build the ability to be present with intense internal experience without being overwhelmed by it, which is particularly valuable for people who process deeply.
It's Complicated is a therapist-founded mental health platform connecting clients with verified practitioners across Europe and globally, in over 60 languages. We work with over 2,500 vetted therapists, with in-person availability in Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Vienna, and other major cities, alongside online sessions worldwide. It's Complicated is free to use, and you pay your chosen therapist directly at rates they set.
Finding a therapist who genuinely understands high sensitivity, rather than treating it as a problem to be corrected, makes a significant difference to how useful the work is. Our matching service is built to remove that friction. You complete a short survey, our psychologists combine data-driven insights with human judgement to identify the right therapists for your situation, and you choose from a shortlist of strong candidates. You can also browse our directory directly if you'd prefer to choose yourself.
Get matched with a therapist who specialises in high sensitivity, or browse the directory.
