Coaching for highly sensitive people
For people with a Higher Sensitivity (or HSP for „Highly Sensitive Person“ according to Dr. Elaine Aron), everyday life often turns into a roller coaster ride of emotions. From the perspective of being overwhelmed, it’s hard to imagine that this trait can also bring benefits. However, if you succeed in understanding yourself and your own environment better, an unfavorable starting position can quickly become an optimized one. And in this case, highly sensitive people can use their gift to face life’s challenges with natural poise and authentic strength. The goal of the coaching process is therefore not to get rid of the high sensitivity, but rather to understand it, accept it and let it work in a positive way in your own setting. Together we develop the following competencies:
Recognize emotions
Even if it doesn’t seem so at first glance, the correct interpretation of physical signals is the most demanding task for many HSPs. In order to strengthen this, we train methods of introspection.
Understand emotions
In order to decode the messages of the feelings, it helps to identify triggers and connected needs. For example, a colleague’s unfriendly comment doesn’t have the same effect on everyone.
Express emotions
A lot of energy is often expended to hide feelings from others. However, this misses a great opportunity. Sharing feelings and experiences can be a very connecting element in interpersonal relationships and thereby release positive energies. Here we are mainly concerned with finding the right words – for yourself – the other person – in an appropriate form – at the right time.
Regulate emotions
One of the tools to make it easier to deal with intense feelings is to reassess the situation. Switching to an outside perspective can help here. Visualization and meditation techniques also increase the level of mindfulness. The associated goals: to meet feelings and needs without judgment, as well as to strengthen self-efficacy and confidence in one’s own abilities.
Use emotions
We don’t have to promote this competence in a targeted manner. Thankfully, it develops as soon as positive everyday experiences occur through the methods learned. Over time, high sensitivity can grow into a personal strength and be of great use in decision-making and relationship processes, for example.