Psychotherapy
Strong & Sensitive Thrivers
You are strong and sensitive—two qualities often seen as opposites, yet together, they form the roots of something truly powerful.
Like a tree with deep roots and flexible branches, you can weather the storm while still feeling every shift in the wind.
a.k.a Highly Sensitive People
Therapy Speak labels a Strong & Sensitive Thriver as:
Highly Sensitive People. HSPs are individuals with a naturally deep and responsive nervous system, which means they tend to feel things more intensely—whether it's emotions, sensory input, or the energy of their surroundings. This heightened sensitivity can bring rich insight, empathy, and creativity, but can also make overstimulation or stress more challenging. (Psychology Today)
Strong & Sensitive Thrivers are Valuable.
In therapy, we honor both parts of you: the one that carries on through challenge, and the one that feels deeply and intuitively. Having sensitivity isn’t a flaw—it’s part of your strength. It holds wisdom, empathy, and quiet courage.
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In our work together, we honor both sides of you: the part that stands tall through challenge, and the part that feels deeply and intuitively. This combination isn’t a flaw—it’s your foundation. It means you carry wisdom shaped by experience, empathy drawn from resilience, and a quiet courage that doesn't always shout but is always present.
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​ You don’t have to choose. You were made to be both.
Strong & Sensitive Thrivers
are often:
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driven by the need to help or caretake
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driven by the need to achieve or prove
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hyper-analyzing how they are perceived
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frozen in indecisiveness
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carrying the emotional (or behavioural) burden of others
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injured emotionally by negative feedback
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from a personal history involving misery, neglect or chronic invalidation
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find safety in conforming or taking up very little space in their environments
Strong & Sensitive Superpowers
These are some common personality traits or patterns some highly sensitive people were initially "hard-wired" with genetically. Sometimes these stay dormant - other times they develop naturally from early childhood experiences or other environmental cues as we age.
Good *and* challenging - these traits can be honed as our Superpowers. They are used many times to help us gather, interpret and adapt information from our surroundings in ways that keep us safe and seek meaning.
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Emotional Beings
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Creative
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Passionate Advocates
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Empathetic
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Patient Listeners
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Deep Thinkers
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Energy Feelers
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Thoughtful, Considerate
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Blended Introvert *and* Extrovert
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High energy with big crashes
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Intuitive, instinctive
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Sensitive
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Perceptive of others
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Supportive Allies
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Compassionate Care Givers
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Anxious Worriers
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Perfectionists
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Persistent analyzers
common challenges
For many of us - it's a lot about the behaviours and intentions of others. We can get caught in these challenging systems everywhere we look. Often we have to Shape-Shift just to cope. Over time, can bring inner misery and leave us feeling completely drained and overwhelmed.
hustle & grind culture;
social media: likes & followers;
toxic influencer culture
gender stereotypes;
traditional teaching and parenting styles;
bullies at work: managers or coworkers
toxic leadership power dynamics
manipulative, controlling partners
hierarchical or conditional friendship groups​​
rigid or oppressive community belief systems
conditional, transactional relationships​​