Best Specialist for Highly Sensitive People: Empath therapist near me

Written By

Helen Kaminski, MSc

Updated:

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🌟 If you’re searching for ‘therapy for empaths’ or ‘empath therapist near me’ that will help you with what you’re going through, look no further.

This guide will help you find the best therapy for empaths.

Finding a good therapist for empaths near me or online

Being an empath or a highly sensitive person can be a gift, but it can also be a challenge.

💙 If you are an empath or a highly sensitive person, you may have noticed that you experience intense emotions and are easily overwhelmed by the feelings of those around you.

According to research, the results demonstrated that high sensory-processing sensitivity, as assessed by the HSP scale, is associated with more tremendous perceived stress and more frequent symptoms of ill health.

Therapy for empaths has been gaining more attention, with many therapists at BetterHelp.com specializing in this field.

BetterHelp has over 33,000 state-licensed therapists, with many experienced in therapy for empaths, so they earned my recommendation.

Get matched with the best empath therapist near me: BetterHelp

Sponsored, keeps our community free. Therapy Helpers does not accept money for reviews.

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Star Rating 4.5 Of 5

4.5 (6,513+) FROM TRUSTPILOT

BetterHelp

Fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with an experienced therapist online in as little as 48 hours.

✓ Over 33K credentialed professionals

✓ Financial aid available

✓ Subscriptions as low as $65/week, billed every four weeks

✓ Cancel plan or change therapist anytime

✓ 20% off your first month through Therapy Helpers

How to choose the right empath therapist on BetterHelp?

Once you have arrived on the BetterHelp website, answer a few questions about yourself and your goals so they can match you with the therapist that is best suited specifically for you.

Scheduling a consultation session to discuss your needs and goals is crucial. This initial consultation lets you get to know the therapist and decide if they fit you well.

During this session, you can ask the therapist about their experience working with highly sensitive individuals and how they approach therapy.

It’s essential to consider a few factors when choosing an empath therapist:

  1. The therapist’s communication style is one of the most critical factors. You want to find someone who communicates comfortably and efficiently for you. A warm, empathic, and understanding therapist can help you feel supported during sessions.
  2. Another factor to consider is the therapist’s personality. You want to find someone who you feel you can connect with on a personal level. A genuine, authentic, and caring therapist can create a solid therapeutic bond and help you feel comfortable opening up about your emotions and experiences.
  3. Finally, it’s essential to consider the therapist’s treatment approach. Different therapists use different therapeutic techniques, and you want to find someone whose approach aligns with your needs and goals. Some therapists may focus on mindfulness-based therapies, while others may use cognitive-behavioral or psychodynamic approaches. 

You want to find a therapist who makes you feel comfortable, someone you can trust and confide in.

🔎 Pricing – Empath therapist

BetterHelp pricing ranges from $65 to $90 weekly, billed every four weeks (financial aid available). The monthly membership includes four live sessions and a chat room with your therapist for ongoing support between sessions. ✅

In addition, you can access weekly live group classes led by a therapist on topics of anxiety and depression.

Payment options include signing up through PayPal or using your credit card directly.

If needed, you can cancel your subscription whenever you wish or change your therapist anytime.

Some of the therapists available on BetterHelp

Photo of Sonya Belletti Meet Sonya Belletti, MSW, LCSW

As a licensed therapist with over 20 years of experience, I have counseled diverse clients of all ages. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University, and a Master’s in Social Work from San Jose State University, where I focused on child and family issues. My experience spans private practice, community, and school-based settings, where I have helped clients with ADHD, anxiety, and hypersensitivity, among other concerns.

Photo of Jeri Anne Meet Jeri-Anne Trotta, LMHC

I have professional counseling experience and am licensed to practice. Over the past 8 years, I have worked with clients dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, trauma, and depression. My approach is to treat every person with respect, sensitivity and compassion. Therapy is a collaborative process – I will listen closely to understand your specific needs and work with you to develop a personalized plan to support your healing and growth. Making the decision to start therapy can take courage. I commend you for taking this positive step to care for your well-being.

Photo of Renee Abayan Meet Renee Abayan-Rosenstein, MSW, LCSW

I hold a Clinical Social Worker license and have eight years of experience working with individuals and groups in clinical settings. I am adept at helping individuals cope with hyper-sensitivity, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, addiction, self-esteem issues, and challenges with community engagement. I have also assisted Veterans with their unique concerns. My therapeutic approach is holistic, tailored to each individual’s needs and preferences, and integrates DBT, CBT, and motivational interviewing techniques.

Tips & resources

Empaths are individuals who have a natural ability to feel and understand the emotions of others as if they were their own which can be overwhelming, causing them suffering.

They have a deep sense of empathy and often find themselves absorbing the emotions of those around them, which can be both a blessing and a curse.

On the one hand, empaths can be excellent at connecting with others and offering support and comfort. On the other hand, they may struggle with setting boundaries and protecting their own emotional well-being.

Highly sensitive people, have a heightened sensitivity to the world around them and are more attuned to subtleties in their environment, such as noises, smells, or changes in lighting.

This sensitivity can be a strength, allowing highly sensitive people to pick up on nuances and details others may miss.

However, it can also be a source of overwhelm, as highly sensitive people may become easily overstimulated by their surroundings.
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Recent research indicated that highly sensitive individuals had a unique personality trait profile consisting of elevated neuroticism, agreeableness, and openness and slightly lower conscientiousness.

If you are an empath or a highly sensitive person, it is important to prioritize self-care and set boundaries.

This may include taking time for yourself to recharge, learning to say no to things that don’t serve you, and being mindful of the people and environments you surround yourself with.

It may also be helpful to seek out a therapist or support group to work through any challenges you may face.

Remember, being an empath or a highly sensitive person is a unique and valuable trait. With self-awareness and self-care, you can learn to embrace your sensitivity and use it as a strength to connect with others and navigate the world around you.

In a study examining the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), 47 individuals with the trait were recruited to participate in an eight-week program focusing on loving-kindness.

The study sought to determine if HSPs experienced more significant benefits from MBSR than individuals without the trait and to investigate any long-lasting effects after the initial test period. The study found that HSPs did benefit more from MBSR techniques than those without the trait and that these benefits appeared to endure beyond the eight-week program.

This supports the notion that HSPs may be exceptionally responsive to positive stimulation due to their tendency for deeper processing of experiences.

If you’re an empath or a highly sensitive person, finding a therapist who can provide you with the support and guidance you need to challenges is essential.

Therapy for empaths can help you develop coping mechanisms that will enable you to manage your emotions and boundaries better.

Sponsored, keeps our community free. Therapy Helpers does not accept money for reviews.

official betterhelp logo
Star Rating 4.5 Of 5

4.5 (6,513+) FROM TRUSTPILOT

Try BetterHelp

Fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with an experienced therapist online in as little as 48 hours.

✓ Over 33K credentialed professionals

✓ Financial aid available

✓ Subscriptions as low as $65/week, billed every four weeks

✓ Cancel plan or change therapist anytime

✓ 20% off your first month through Therapy Helpers

“Never underestimate the empowered empath. Our kindness and compassion is too often mistaken for weakness or naivety, while we are in fact highly calibrated human lie detectors…and fearless warriors for truth and justice.”

— ANTHON ST. MAARTEN

Empath counseling: Do I need it?

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“I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it. ”

— MAYA ANGELOU


If you’re an empath or a highly sensitive individual, finding a therapist who specializes in empaths and who understands and validates your experiences can be a game-changer.

However, knowing where to start when looking for an empath therapist can be challenging. Below are some tips to help you find a therapist who specializes in working with highly sensitive individuals:

  • Look for therapists who specialize in working with empaths or highly sensitive individuals

When searching for a therapist, looking for those who specialize in working with empaths or highly sensitive individuals is essential. These therapists will have experience working with individuals like you and will understand the unique challenges that come with being an empath.

  • You can start by searching online for therapists offering empathic support or requesting referrals from friends and family members with similar experiences.
  • Check the therapist’s credentials and experience

Ensuring that the therapist you choose is qualified and has experience working with highly sensitive individuals or empaths is vital. Look for therapists with specialized training in working with these populations and with experience working with individuals with similar issues.

You can typically find this information on the therapist’s website or by contacting them directly.

  • Consider the therapist’s approach

Different therapists have different approaches to therapy, and finding one that aligns with your values and preferences is essential. Some therapists may use a more traditional talk therapy approach, while others may use more experiential or body-based approaches.

You may also want to consider whether you prefer a therapist who is more directive or one who takes a more collaborative approach.

  • Trust your instincts

When choosing a therapist, it’s essential to trust your instincts. If you don’t feel comfortable with a therapist or don’t feel like they understand your experiences, it may be time to look for a different therapist.

It’s essential to find a therapist you feel comfortable opening up to and who you feel understands your unique needs as an empath or highly sensitive individual.

Help for empaths and what to expect from therapy

Working with an empath therapist can be an incredibly rewarding experience, particularly for individuals who struggle with managing their emotions and navigating complex interpersonal relationships.

  • Empath therapists have unique skills and attributes that enable them to create a supportive environment for their clients to explore their feelings and experiences without fear of judgment or criticism.
  • One of the primary benefits of working with an empath therapist is their compassionate and non-judgmental approach to therapy.

This means they will work with you to understand your thoughts and feelings rather than imposing their beliefs or opinions on you.

Empath therapists are trained to be attentive listeners skilled at recognizing and validating the emotions of their clients, providing a space for them to feel seen and heard.

Recent research suggests that highly sensitive people with Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) could moderate the relationship between life skills and depressive tendencies, as emotional coping skills correlated with improved depressive tendencies in high-SPS individuals, while decision-making skills associated with reduced depressive tendencies in low-SPS individuals.

Empath therapy typically involves a range of techniques and approaches tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual client. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common technique used by empath therapists to help clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is another technique that can be used to help clients manage anxiety and stress and improve their overall sense of well-being.
  • In addition to these techniques, empath therapists may also use psychoeducation to help clients better understand their emotions and develop effective coping mechanisms.

This may involve teaching clients about their feelings’ physiological and psychological components and providing practical strategies for managing their emotional responses.

Sponsored, keeps our community free. Therapy Helpers does not accept money for reviews.

official betterhelp logo
Star Rating 4.5 Of 5

4.5 (6,513+) FROM TRUSTPILOT

BetterHelp

Fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with an experienced therapist online in as little as 48 hours.

✓ Over 33K credentialed professionals

✓ Financial aid available

✓ Subscriptions as low as $65/week, billed every four weeks

✓ Cancel plan or change therapist anytime

✓ 20% off your first month through Therapy Helpers

Benefits of therapy for highly sensitive people

The benefits of empath therapy are numerous:

  1. Develop healthy coping mechanisms and strategies for managing emotions and boundaries
  2. Gain a deeper understanding of your unique strengths and challenges as an empath or highly sensitive person
  3. Increase self-awareness and emotional intelligence
  4. Improve relationships with others by developing better communication skills
  5. Reduce stress and anxiety by learning mindfulness techniques and relaxation exercises
  6. Learn to manage and channel intense emotions in a healthy and productive way
  7. Build self-esteem and confidence by embracing one’s sensitivity and using it to their advantage
  8. Explore and understand past experiences that may have contributed to emotional sensitivity
  9. Work through trauma and emotional wounds to heal and grow as an individual

Takeaway

In conclusion, finding an empath therapist near you or online therapy is essential if you’re a highly sensitive person who struggles to manage your emotions and boundaries.

Take the time to research therapists in your area or online and schedule consultations to find the right fit for your needs.

With the right therapist, you can develop the coping mechanisms and strategies to live a fulfilling life as an empath or highly sensitive person.

Therapy can help you better understand yourself and others, improve your relationships, and reduce stress and anxiety. Be sure to bookmark our site and check for updates.


References

  1. The Highly Sensitive Person: Stress and physical symptom reports https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886905004228
  2. An experimental study of the psychological impact of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on highly sensitive persons https://ejop.psychopen.eu/index.php/ejop/article/view/228?fbclid=IwAR2oXgPiO2uKMnnEqPrP8oKrvYqCur4kPL0bxwQTR68jiBsnckjNwU7_7-c
  3. Sensory Processing Sensitivity Moderates the Relationships Between Life Skills and Depressive Tendencies in University Students. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jpr.12289
  4. High Sensitivity: Factor structure of the highly sensitive person scale and personality traits in a high and low sensitivity group. Two gender—matched studies https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19012276.2022.2093778
  5. Mindfulness-based stress reduction: a non-pharmacological approach for chronic illnesses. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336928/
The Power of Empathy | Audrey Moore | TEDxYouth@SHC

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About the author

Helen Kaminski, MSc

Helen Kaminski, MSc

Mindful living for a happier, healthier you. I’m a writer and mental health advocate in Warsaw, Poland, with five years working as a therapist. I hold a psychology degree from the University of Warsaw. I specialize in writing about mental health, using my experiences and academic background to educate and inspire others. In my free time, I volunteer at a Disability Learning Center and go for nature walks. My writing aims to break down mental health stigma and help others feel understood. Social

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