Psychotherapy and the Highly Sensitive Person

by Elaine N. Aron

Dr. Elaine Aron’s newest book, Psychotherapy and the Highly Sensitive Person, redefines the term “highly sensitive” for the professional researcher and practitioner. She dispels common misconceptions about the relationship between sensitivity and other personality traits, such as introversion and shyness, and further defines the trait for the benefit of both the clinician and patient. Readers will learn to assess for the trait, distinguish it from clinical diagnoses such as panic disorder or avoidant personality disorder, understand how sensitivity may change the presentation of a problem such as depression or shyness, and generally inform, validate, and improve the quality of life for these clients. She pays particular attention to self-esteem issues and helping patients separate effects of their innate temperament from problems due to their personal learning histories. Dr. Aron keeps both patient and practitioner in mind as she suggests ways to adapt treatment for highly sensitive persons and how to deal with the typical issues that arise. Three appendices provide the HSP Scale, a summary of the extensive research on this innate trait, and its relation to DSM diagnoses. Through this helpful guide, therapists will see a marked improvement in their ability to assist highly sensitive clients.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Counselling, Health, Audiobook

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2010

Reviews

[Antigone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because these patients look ahead to the likely outcome of things, they often react and feel ahead of time an anticipated loss, separation, joy, unpleasant event like a medical or dental procedure, or even an accomplishment, long before it occurs. The nonsensitive might view this as a strange waste of energy or not "living in the present," but it fits with that basic strategy of reflecting before acting and anticipating how things will turn out.

Dr. Elaine N. Aron, who has made something of a cottage industry out of books about the highly sensitive, here provides a data-rich examination of the trait - which she insists is a feature of temperament and not the symptom of an underlying condition requiring therapeutic address. She has launched several studies on the subject and collected her results, the substance of which appear in these pages she tailors toward a readership of fellow professionals. I don't generally mind the more academically-oriented texts on psychological issues, however this one does get dry and a bit exclusionary. In terms of her intent, then, it is a success. It is also a praiseworthy effort. If there are people who are genetically-prone to high sensitivity, it would seem egregious in the extreme to attempt to "treat" them out of it - and how miserable must such a labor prove to all parties involved.

However, and according to Dr. Aron, the highly sensitive make up a large percentage of therapeutic clientele. This makes sense as they would be more finely-tuned to their distress, and less likely to possess the tools required to adequately manage it. (Our culture doesn't train the sensitive, and training out of insensitivity is, frankly, not the same thing at all.) When looking ahead to those "likely outcomes," a highly sensitive person would be well able to project the cost of not getting help with problems they cannot seem to solve. Dr. Aron's objective - which she makes loud and clear - is to ensure these patients are diagnosed appropriately and treated for the ailment they have, not the character trait they were born with.

A laudable aim, to be sure.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read Elaine Aron's first book, which is apparently widely read and influential, I wanted to find out more about HSP and SPS (Sensory Processing Sensitivity), as well as how/if they related to LLI (Low Latent Inhibition).

To be honest, I also had a hard time fully believing that HSP as a trait actually existed, and that scientists could determine that 20% of a variety of vertebrate populations have the trait.

I don't know if continued research will ever be able to determine what causes certain people to be HSPs, but the trait does seem to have a discernible impact on the lives of those who apparently have it.

This book will be considered dry reading for a casual reader, but it is densely packed with information and specific instances of Aron's clinical findings with actual patients. I also really like how it breaks down Aron's research into the differences and possible interactions with other emotional and personality disorders, including ADHD, Asperger's and other autism spectrum symptoms, personality disorders, etc., etc. Reading this book helped me realize just how many years of research went into Aron's work before she even decided to write her first book. The HSP concept isn't some new, trendy concept that was conceived overnight, though it may seem that way to people just finding out about it. Popular interest in the HSP has really grown in the past several years, which is something that I partially attribute to social media like facebook. Yes, there is a growing private HSP group of thousands on facebook, at least the last time I checked a few years ago.

This is well worth a read for those who want to dig deeper into the HSP trait.

[Susanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very superficial and not very consistent. I also found it a bit patronising. Or maybe I am just too sensitive...

[Valerie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dense but highly informative read. It's intended for therapists, although I enjoyed reading it.

[Madly Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I applaud Aron for taking on this challenging perspective of dealing with people who are highly sensitive. I see so many of them online, floating in misdirections, desperately wanting help, but not fully understanding their own psychology. And none of us on the outside of this issue fully understands it. And at times, it can be chaotic and frustrating. Not knowing the source of this sensitivity I think is the core issue, because until we really know the pathology of why so many sensitive types are suffering, we are not going to be able to address their challenges and help resolve and heal their complaints. And this book addresses none of that, really.

Listening is important, but just listening never really heals. It mitigates. And of course that is necessary.

But what is really going on in our culture now? I am not convinced of anything yet. I want to say this in closing. THERE ARE NO NORMAL PEOPLE. There is only a spectrum of normality. And what that means is very unclear. The same with the current umbrella of the NeuroDivergent. We are all looking for labels because they provide RELIEF from the uncertainty of not being able to define ourselves and our issues in a culture that is so wrapped up in Identity.

Eventually this too shall pass.

[Justyna Krol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book more insightful that Elaine's 'mainstream' book for HSPs - "The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You", perhaps because this title was the first opportunity for me to explore this topic, written in more neutral/scientific style than the 'popular' book.

In summary, it is a good source of self-knowledge for HSPs. I do recommend it to those who are quite advanced on their self-development journey and want to explore risks of high sensitivity. For me the major takeaway was to realize how I contributed to countless situations, in which someone took advantage of my empathy, which in consequence allowed me to start owning those situations and eliminate them, at least those that I find abusive. This is a pretty impressive outcome considering that I only listened to an audiobook while doing housework. The book includes much more insights, this is just the one that I found the most useful at the time.

[Farhana Faruq · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this just out of curiosity not realizing based on almost everything mentioned in this book I'd be classified as a sensitive person (LOL).. I guess. I found the entire book very interesting and informative. I don't think anyone should define themselves as a sensitive person, it just is what it is. Listening to it was a wake up call that not everyone out there's on the same page.

This is actually written for other psychotherapist and how they can understand their sensitive clients. I would still recommend others listen to it whether you're sensitive or not.
Audio book is approximately 11 hours long.

[Liliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I do see the value in understanding sensitivity and people that are more affected by stimulus than others, this book kind of lost me in its categorisation... A good example of this is how seriously they take the survey question "when you feel happy, is this a very strong feeling sometimes?". I feel like everyone could reply yes to this, so it doesn't really give much credence to these researchers and the HSP categorisation...

[Ioana Camelia Paladi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and useful read, as a therapist this booked helped me a lot understand how sensitives people feel and think. It has plenty of examples, situations, dialogues that facilitates reading and deepen knowledge.

[Megan McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, wide-ranging research and thoughtful analysis with important implications for therapists in practice. Can’t recommend enough!

[Lisa Trinh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dit boek is gemaakt voor therapeuten; ik ben geen therapeut. Toch vond ik het wel interessant om het te lezen. Ik ben niet gek!!

[Speranta · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt like having a tiny mirror while reading. It offers a closer look at behavioral patterns, though more thorough suggestions on helping people cope with the downsides would have been welcomed.

[Luka · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this to help with my work (not a therapist though, "just" studying social work). Some parts, e.g. how to cultivate a helpful environment in your office to support sensitive people in their healing and how to work through incompatibilities between sensitive patient and sensitive therapist were very helpful. Other parts less so. As a whole this is very cisheteronormative and directed mostly at how to deal with highly sensitive but otherwise neurotypical patients. which of course should be considered but I imagine that as a therapist or psychiatrist, just like in my field, the majority of patients/clients are not necessarily that. I would've enjoyed a bit more balance in this book. And some of the info is a bit outdated, which makes sense considering its publication date, so I'm not knocking down my rating because of that; I'm just letting y'all know so you're not surprised about it.

[I'mogén]

DNF @ 13%


I realised quite quickly that this wasn't going to be like a how to guide with some basic information for someone that is a sensitive person.

 But I did want to have something kind of dry and informative to help me sleep and this definitely was that... In saying that, I've got to say it had some interesting information and put a few things into perspective. 

However, it is definitely filled with medical jargon that I am just not experienced nor qualified to fully understand and so in that simple regard it clearly wasn't for me and I dnf'd it some time through chapter two.


Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!

[Noémi Marczell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is a great help to anyone who knows that there are people out there whose brains work differently. It's so sad to see in the comments that there are still people thinking it's not that big of a deal. I like that the book is dry on facts, it's very informative and thorough. I wish it was longer.

[Fed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book randomly. I’m not a therapist, but it was helpful & validating.
I will try another book by the authoress that’s directed at sensitive people
Most concepts were familiar. But the high sensation seeking was a completely new concept. It explained my jumping attitude from one thing to another.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. This has some great information but I think it is a bit....sketchy to me. I would agree that some people are more sensitive than others...but I am not so sure that it warrants having an entire category.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also so helpful. I started reading this one before The Highly Sensitive Person and I would recommend reading them in that order, just because I found The Highly Sensitive Person to be a much more intense and emotional reading experience as compared to reading this one

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars, I listened to the audiobook. Highly recommended for therapists who are dealing with HSPs and might misdiagnose them and HSPs who have been misdiagnosed or are looking for some more science based information regarding being a HSP.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you!

[Crystal Dwinnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful resource

[Julie]

DNF
This book is targeted at psychotherapists who have highly sensitive patients. It has great information about the traits and challenges of a highly sensitive person.

[Moi · Rating 4 out of 5]

exceptional

[Michiel]

Niet heel laagdrempelig; wel nuttig