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Highly Sensitive People

Support for deep feelers, intuitive thinkers,
and highly aware nervous systems

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” “too much,” or if loud noises, conflict, strong emotions, or chaotic environments feel overwhelming — you may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).​  Being highly sensitive is not a flaw. It’s a temperament trait found in about 20–30% of people. It means your brain and nervous system take in more information, process it more deeply, and respond more intensely than most.

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At Health Allies Counseling in Portland, we offer specialized therapy for Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) that honors your emotional depth, your intuition, your perception, and your nervous system — so you can feel grounded, empowered, and fully yourself.

Our Approach to healing

Bridge In Forest

1

What is a "highly sensitive person" (HSP)?

A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) has a finely tuned nervous system that processes information deeply. You may:

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  • Feel emotions intensely

  • Pick up on subtle cues others miss

  • Become overwhelmed by bright lights, noise, or conflict

  • Need more downtime than others

  • Feel deeply moved by art, music, nature, or meaning

  • Have strong empathy or intuition

  • Feel easily stressed in chaotic or fast-paced environments

  • Experience anxiety when overstimulated

  • Feel like you “absorb” others’ feelings

 

At Health Allies, we understand the unique strengths and challenges of being highly sensitive — and we help you learn how to thrive with this trait, not fight against it.

2

What solutions can therapy help me with?

Many Highly Sensitive People grew up in environments where sensitivity was misunderstood, dismissed, or criticized. Counseling can support you in:

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  • Understanding your trait and learning to work with it

  • Building boundaries without guilt

  • Managing overstimulation and emotional intensity

  • Healing old wounds from being told you were “too much”

  • Developing self-compassion and self-advocacy

  • Reducing anxiety and burnout

  • Navigating relationships with clearer communication

  • Living authentically without masking your sensitivity

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Your depth is a strength. Therapy can help you use it well.

3

How we support HSPs
 

Our therapists draw from a variety of modalities based on your needs:

Mindfulness & Somatic Therapies

Help regulate an overstimulated nervous system and build calm, embodied awareness.

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CBT & Anxiety Counseling

Reduce overthinking, rumination, and emotional overwhelm.

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Attachment & Relational Therapy

Heal wounds from past relationships where your sensitivity wasn’t honored.

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IFS-Informed Parts Work

Support the parts of you that feel “too much” or need protection.

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EMDR & Brainspotting (Optional)

Process deep-rooted emotional experiences that contribute to sensitivity, shame, or overwhelm.

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Neurodiversity-affirming support

Many HSPs overlap with ADHD, autism, giftedness, or trauma histories. We support all identities and experiences without pathologizing sensitivity.

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Our approach is gentle, validating, and paced according to your nervous system.

Does this sound like you?

Find a therapist
that can help you with these concerns now

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