I have found many of my clients who come to me carry with them what society is finally recognizing as Empathic or Highly Sensitive traits. These are people who were born into the world with what I call “superpowers” or gifts that include a connection with and compassion for Nature, acute intuition and sensitivity to the injustices in the world. Unfortunately many of my clients either don’t know they are empathic or see it as more of a curse than a blessing.
My hope is to bring awareness, tend to the wounding that has occurred along the way and more importantly finding the tools to help my clients channel these gifts more affectively to live healthier, happier and more authentic lives.
Some extra sensitive & empathic traits may include:
- Sensitivity to surroundings, especially in large crowds.
- Gut feelings & strong intuition
- Can “read people”, pick up on “sea changes” or shifts in emotions in others before they do.
- Not being able to differentiate between “my feelings” and someone else’s feelings (this also can include physical). Empaths need to be careful to not drown out these feelings by using, overusing or abusing substances or behavior that could cause them more harm and distress.
- Lightning Rods. Those who can pick up the personal as well as the collective trauma & joy of the world. (see anxiety and depression).
- Dreamers: Many clients who see me say they experience vivid dreams, often precognitive.
- High Anxiety & Depression: Because empaths are picking up on both the personal and collective, this can be overwhelming causing mood disruptions like anxious feelings and depressive states.
- Activists, Visionaries & Creatives: Many of our World Changers were empaths because they envision a kinder, loving & more compassionate world. Expression is key for empaths.
- Champions the Underdog: Because they are sensitive to injustice, empaths are often looking out for those who can’t defend themselves.
- Physical ailments like stomachaches (seat of our emotions & will), back and neck pain (shouldering the world) and/or throat issues (voicing our needs/expression) are common.
- Kinship with Nature & Love of Animals. Empaths often find respite in nature
- The Listener: Can easily speak to strangers and is often the one that people turn to in crisis.
- Hard Time Saying No/Boundaries. Empaths often put others before themselves and have a hard time saying no to others.
- Need Solitude to Recharge. Because empaths often get dumped on, they have a hard time saying no. Recharging those batteries is key.
- Appear Shy, Moody, Depressed or Aloof: Because empaths are taking on so much on, feeling the weight of the world can make them want to turn away, isolate or just crawl under a rock to escape.
- Can’t Tolerate Superficial Communication/Relationships: Empaths can smell BS a mile away so they need to be in relationships that are authentic. You will rarely find an empath talking about the weather unless it has to do with Climate Change.
Extra Sensitivity Experienced in Grief
I have found many of my clients who are experiencing grief share that they feel “raw” and exposed. This is especially true for those who might not realize they are “extra sensitive” or “empathic”.
When I sit with client, I like to normalize their grief, especially when they feel extra sensitive to the world and need to be more introspective. I call this “cocooning” because often times it is a process of mystery. There are changes and shifts in identity and meaning-making occurring and to not force it so that a butterfly may emerge.
I offer tools and strategies to help clients navigate their grief, create healthy boundaries and find ways to self soothe and ease their anxiety to live meaningful, authentic and healthy lives.