How to Find the Right Therapist For Your Highly Sensitive Child or Teen
There are a variety of reasons to seek out a therapist for your Highly Sensitive Child (HSC) or Teen such as changes in mood or sleep habits, transition to a new school, a big move or even just as an additional layer of support. Since HSCs and Teens are more perceptive, empathetic, and emotional they experience a bigger impact from change and can be slow to transition. Having a different internal experience and needs creates a feeling of being misunderstood by their peers. Working with a skilled therapist who understands the trait of High Sensitivity (aka Sensory Processing Sensitivity) can be a great way to increase self-awareness, manage emotions and build confidence, just to name a few possible benefits.
In addition to receiving support, your Highly Sensitive Child or Teen will learn tools they can use for a lifetime to help access the many strengths of being Highly Sensitive such as heightened empathy, creativity, and innovative thinking. Part of the trait is a characteristic called vantage sensitivity which means Highly Sensitive People respond more positively to therapy and other supports, often leading to quick progress and a long-lasting impact.
If your HSC or Teen could benefit from therapy, but you feel overwhelmed with where to start or worry about introducing the idea to them, listen to Episode 3 of The Science of Sensitivity podcast where I talk with Dr. Samantha Diaz Weinstein about:
How to talk to your child about being Highly Sensitive
Signs and symptoms that indicate the need for outside help or therapy for your HSC
Advice on how and when to introduce the concept of therapy to your child
What parents and children can expect from the entire therapy cycle from finding a therapist, working with a therapist, and ending therapy
How to find the right-fit therapist for your HSC
The importance of working with an HSP-knowledgeable therapist
Validating your child’s experience when they’re worried or anxious about starting therapy or any new activity
How to tell the difference between your child or teen’s apprehension to the therapy process and a possible wrong-fit therapist
Book recommendations for Highly Sensitive kids, teens, and their parents
You can listen to the podcast episode below or on iTunes.
Additional Resources
