In this episode, Wendy is joined by Dr. Sally Conway, a clinical psychologist, coach for highly sensitive people, and a qualified EMDR practitioner. Sally, who is herself highly sensitive, explains why HSPs are very prone to people pleasing to the extent that they neglect themselves and why even relatively small stressors can easily overwhelm them.

Sally shares techniques highly sensitive people can use to protect their energy and restore balance to their lives, so they can stop feeling overwhelmed and enjoy life more. She also explains how to access the free guide she has written to help HSPs protect their energy so that they stop helping and pleasing others at the expense of their own wellbeing.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• 25% to 30% of the population have high-sensitivity personality traits.

• Being deep thinkers makes decision-making and small talk difficult for HSPS.

• Too much noise and clutter are bad for highly sensitive people. Other environmental factors can also over-stimulate them.

• Sensitive people are usually more emotional, are often big people pleasers and have low self-worth.

• HSP traits also have some big upsides e.g. high levels of compassion.

• Because HSPs are already stressed a lot by day-to-day life, their tolerance for stress is low. It does not take much to tip them into a fight-or-flight response.

• HS people tend to have stronger reactions to trauma.

• People pleasing to the point where you neglect yourself is highly damaging. Sally shares simple ways to reverse this negative behaviour trait.

• EMDR is particularly effective for HS people. Especially those who have issues stemming from their childhood.

• Once you have dealt with trauma it is far easier to grow as a person.

• Find those people who believe in you and in what you can achieve.

BEST MOMENTS

“The key part of any work I do with people is that they feel heard, seen, understood, nurtured, and accepted.”

“We think about things a lot more than other people.”

“People who are highly sensitive are more susceptible to the impact of stressors.”

“Trauma can lead to people pleasing as a way of keeping themselves safe.”

“It's okay to be highly sensitive… there are some positives about it.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://highlysensitivepsychologist.com

https://sallyconwaypsychology.co.uk

https://highlysensitivepsychologist.com

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.wendycastelino.com

https://www.instagram.com/wendycastelino/

https://www.youtube.com/@wendycastelino798

https://twitter.com/WendyCastelino

ABOUT THE HOST

Wendy Castelino has been working as a psychotherapist for over thirty-five years. As an accredited CBT and EMDR practitioner, she is committed to upholding the rigorous standards required for these accreditations and helping thousands of people reach their full potential.

Wendy currently runs a private practice where her focus is on CBT. Therapy is constantly evolving into developing new techniques, so she studies hard to integrate them into her therapy, to provide a rich and effective experience.

Wendy is aware that working in one-to-one therapy limits the number of people she can see. She has, therefore, created a range of online resources. These resources are designed to be easy to follow and provide clear, step-by-step instructions. This can help the individual to master skills and gain confidence, therefore optimising the therapy sessions. They are also suitable to be used on their own.

Further details are available at: WendyCastelino.com.