You Feel Deeply—And That’s Your Strength
Therapy for Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) to Help You Feel More Grounded, Resilient, and Empowered in a World that Often Feels Overwhelming.
What is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) experiences deep cognitive processing and heightened emotional responsiveness. Sensitivity is a natural trait, present in about 20% of people, and can be a strength when properly understood and managed.
Feels emotions deeply and intensely
Need alone time to decompress
Easily overwhelmed by noise, crowds, or stress
Highly intuitive and empathetic
Deep thinker and reflective
Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?
Some people experience the world more deeply. If loud noises, strong emotions, or social settings often overwhelm you, you may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).
HSPs make up 20% of the population. This is a trait, not a disorder. When embraced, this trait can be a powerful strength.
Symptoms may include:
Overwhelm and overstimulation
Anxiety and depression
Shyness or social anxiety
Dislike of superficial relationships
Intense emotions, both positive and negative
Difficulty with change and decision-making
Feeling misunderstood or isolated
Stress from work or school
Striving for perfection
Challenges setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care
How Therapy Helps HSPs: Learn to Thrive, Not Just Cope
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Turn Sensitivity into a Strength
Learn how to embrace your unique traits.
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Manage Overwhelm in Your Life
Gain tools to manage stimulation.
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Develop Healthy Boundaries
Protect your energy without the guilt.
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Find Balance & Confidence
Live life on your terms, without stress.
At Lisa Chen & Associates Therapy, we take an empathetic and comprehensive approach to assist Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) in Los Angeles, CA. Our method involves addressing the individual as a whole, considering mind, body, and spirit. By crafting a personalized treatment plan, we aim to provide effective coping strategies tailored specifically for each client's unique sensitivities.
Our therapy sessions offer a safe space to navigate your internal and external experiences. Our HSP therapists focus on understanding your distinctive processing style and guiding you through life’s challenges with compassion. We equip you with practical tools to handle daily stressors, improve relationships, and bolster overall well-being.
In essence, our mission is to empower Highly Sensitive individuals by providing holistic and affirming care, ensuring that every aspect of their lives is supported and nurtured.
Common Myths About Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)—Debunked
Many people misunderstand what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). Sensitivity is often mistaken for weakness or emotional instability, but in reality, it's a completely normal trait found in about 15-20% of the population. Let’s clear up some common myths!
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Fact: HSPs process emotions deeply due to heightened brain sensitivity, which is a scientifically recognized trait—not a personality flaw.
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Fact: Many HSPs thrive in high-pressure environments once they learn strategies to manage overstimulation.
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Fact: Sensitivity is a strength that can enhance relationships, creativity, and leadership skills.
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Fact: High sensitivity is not a disorder. While some HSPs may experience anxiety, the two are not the same thing.
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Fact: While many HSPs are introverted, about 30% are extroverted. Sensitivity is about how deeply you process information, not your social energy level.
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Fact: Many successful leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives are HSPs. Sensitivity enhances emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and innovation.
✅ Albert Einstein – Physicist & Theoretical Genius
💬 Einstein was deeply introspective, sensitive to noise and chaos, and often spoke about his rich inner world. His ability to deeply reflect and think abstractly revolutionized science.✅ Steve Jobs – Co-Founder of Apple
💬 Jobs was highly intuitive, deeply affected by aesthetics, and extremely detail-oriented. His ability to sense and create products that resonated with people’s emotions is a hallmark of an HSP.✅ Mahatma Gandhi – Political & Spiritual Leader
💬 Gandhi’s deep sense of empathy, nonviolent resistance, and ability to remain steadfast in his beliefs despite overwhelming opposition are characteristics often found in HSPs.✅ Oprah Winfrey – Media Mogul & Philanthropist
💬 Oprah has spoken openly about her deep emotional processing, strong intuition, and how she relies on feelings to guide her decisions. She’s built an empire based on understanding human emotions and empathy. -
Sensitivity is a natural trait found across all genders, including men, nonbinary, and transgender individuals. However, cultural norms and societal expectations may discourage some people—especially men and masculine-presenting individuals—from openly expressing their sensitivity. In reality, being an HSP has nothing to do with gender; it’s simply a way of processing the world more deeply.
Are You an HSP? Take the Quiz to Find Out!
Discover your sensitivity profile and what it means for your relationships, work, and self-care.
Many people experience deep emotions and heightened sensitivity, but how do you know if you’re truly an HSP? Take our quick and insightful HSP Quiz to explore your traits and understand how they shape your experiences.
Click on the badge to start quiz.
Your Sensitivity is a Strength - When Managed Well
Strengths
Deep Emotional Awareness - You feel & process emotions profoundly.
Heightened Creativity - You notice details and connections others miss.
Strong Empathy & Intuition - You understand others on a deep level.
Challenges
Overstimulation - Noise, crowds, and busy environments feel overwhelming.
Emotional Exhaustion - You absorb other’s emotions and energy.
Difficulty Setting Boundaries - Saying “no” can feel impossible.
Meet Our Team
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Lisa Chen, LMFT (140374)
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Lisa Newman, LMFT (150738)
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Laura Malandrino, APCC (15514)
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Jessica Slavin, AMFT (140590)
Mastering Life as an HSP: Tools & Insights to Thrive
What are the signs and symptoms of a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
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A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is someone with a heightened nervous system response to stimuli. About 20% of the population falls into this category, experiencing deep emotions, strong empathy, and sensitivity to sounds, lights, and social interactions.
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Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) often perceive the world differently due to their heightened sensory and emotional responses. This unique perspective can sometimes make them feel out of sync with those around them, creating distinct challenges in how they engage with their environment and social circles. Recognizing these differences is crucial in understanding why certain therapeutic goals are especially beneficial for HSPs.
Together, we can explore personalized goals such as:
Cultivating self-acceptance or esteem: Acknowledging and valuing their sensitivity as a strength rather than a drawback.
Establishing healthier boundaries: Learning to set limits that protect their emotional and sensory well-being.
Learning effective tools for communicating your needs: Enhancing their ability to express their unique experiences and requirements in a way that is understood by others.
Developing coping strategies for sensory overload and emotional overstimulation: Implementing practical methods to manage and mitigate the intense input they often experience.
By addressing these specific areas, therapy can provide HSPs with the tools they need to navigate their sensitivities more effectively, promoting a healthier, more balanced life. This tailored approach ensures that each HSP can thrive in a world that often overlooks the nuances of their experiences.
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If you often feel overwhelmed by sensory input, deeply process emotions, or need extra time to recover from social interactions, you may be an HSP. You can take our free HSP quiz to explore your sensitivity levels.
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No. While many HSPs are introverted, about 30% of HSPs are extroverted. HSPs are more sensitive to environmental and emotional stimuli, whereas introverts prefer solitude and anxious individuals experience excessive worry.
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Absolutely! Sensitivity is a strength, not a weakness. With the right tools—such as therapy, boundary-setting, and mindfulness—HSPs can excel in relationships, careers, and personal well-being.
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Therapy provides a space to:
Understand & embrace your sensitivity
Develop coping strategies for overstimulation & emotional overwhelm
Improve relationships by setting healthy boundaries
Build resilience and prevent burnout
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At our Los Angeles-based and online therapy practice, we use approaches tailored to HSPs, including:
EMDR Therapy – for emotional processing & healing past sensitivities
Mindfulness-Based Therapy – to reduce overstimulation
Internal Family Systems (IFS) – to work through emotional depth
Attachment-Based Therapy – for deep relational work
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Not every HSP needs therapy, but if overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, or sensitivity-related challenges affect your daily life, therapy can help you navigate life with greater ease and confidence.
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Here are some practical strategies:
Create a calming routine (daily quiet time, deep breathing)
Use noise-canceling headphones in overstimulating environments
Set clear boundaries to protect your energy
Engage in grounding activities (nature walks, meditation)
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Yes! HSPs are deeply caring and intuitive partners. Therapy can help you set boundaries, communicate needs effectively, and prevent emotional burnout in relationships.
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Yes! Our therapy practice specializes in working with HSPs, deep feelers, and highly intuitive individuals. We offer individual and couples therapy to help HSPs thrive.
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We are an out-of-network practice, meaning we do not bill insurance directly. However, we can provide superbills for potential reimbursement.
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While this practice is licensed for therapy in California, we offer coaching worldwide for HSPs. Whether you're just discovering your sensitivity or seeking tools to manage it, coaching can be transformative. If you're in Los Angeles and looking for face-to-face therapy, you can easily connect with me or one of our specialized HSP therapists at our local office. We encourage you to reach out for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your needs and how we can support your journey. Simply visit our website or call our Los Angeles clinic directly to schedule your session."
This approach not only tailors the services to you, whether you're near or far, but also ensures that everyone, regardless of location, receives the personalized support they need to thrive as a Highly Sensitive Person.
Real Stories, Real Transformation