How I approach working with emotional sensitivity
Many people live with emotional sensitivity in ways that aren’t always recognized or understood. On the outside, you may appear steady, while inside you feel deeply affected by experiences, words, or interactions that others seem to brush off.
This page offers a closer look at what emotional sensitivity can feel like, where it often comes from, and how therapy might help.
What does emotional sensitivity feel like?
You might notice:
Feeling easily overwhelmed by conflict, criticism, or fast-paced environments.
Carrying shame for being ‘too sensitive,’ and worrying that your feelings take up too much space.
Absorbing others’ emotions, leaving you drained, heavy, or unsure what feelings are truly your own.
Not everyone’s experience looks the same. For some, sensitivity shows up in specific moments, for others it feels woven into daily life. All of it is valid.
When can sensitivity feel overwhelming?
It’s often hardest to carry sensitivity when:
You carry shame about feeling deeply, believing it makes you “too much” or “different” from others.
In relationships, where emotions aren’t openly expressed or validated, making sensitivity feel out of place.
You’ve learned to push down or ignore your feelings, making it harder to understand what they mean to you.
You don’t have to know why it’s there — we can explore that together, gently.
How therapy can support you with emotional sensitivity
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Understanding and naming what’s going on
Putting words to your emotional and physical experiences can help reduce overwhelm and increase clarity.
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Making sense of patterns that once kept you safe
Exploring how past coping strategies developed, and how they might be showing up now in ways that no longer serve you.
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Embracing sensitivity as a strength
Learning to honour your emotional depth while building clarity about your boundaries and how to care for yourself within relationships