Part of the process of getting HSPs-- and awareness of the HSP trait-- to be more recognized in a "general" sense comes from discussion and mentions in the media.
In order for HSPs ever to be "taken seriously," there has to discussion and awareness outside the still relatively small circle of people who have read Elaine Aron's books and already know they are HSPs.
A recent "very public" mention of the HSP trait comes on Oprah Winfrey's web site-- a venue that reaches millions of people. Oprah's web site is one of the 500 busiest in the world, and reaches more than 400,000 people per day.
Whereas one can debate whether the title "Are You Too Sensitive" is a positive spin on the trait, this is none-the-less a case of HSPs getting time in "public view." It should be added here that the article (based around Elaine Aron's quiz for sensitivity) was put together through consultation with Elaine Aron, herself-- and it's doubtful that she would put her name on something that would cast HSPs in too much of a negatively light.
Have a read and judge for yourself:
Am I Too Sensitive-- Highly Sensitive Person Quiz on Oprah.com
Love it or hate it, it IS a nice case of High Sensitivity being talked about to a wider audience.
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Wednesday, October 03, 2012
90 Members and Growing
We recently passed the 90-member mark for the Boston and New England HSP Online Group, making the group one of the largest local/regional discussion forums for HSPs.
In 2013, we will be marking our 10th anniversary on the web. In many ways, 10 years is not a long time, but in the context of the Internet-- where things come and go very quickly-- it's an "age."
A warm welcome to everyone who has joined us recently!
In 2013, we will be marking our 10th anniversary on the web. In many ways, 10 years is not a long time, but in the context of the Internet-- where things come and go very quickly-- it's an "age."
A warm welcome to everyone who has joined us recently!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
HSPs and Distance Learning
It's a new year. For many, this means recent new year's resolutions to "change" something in our lives; to improve "how things are."
One of the frequent questions we (the group's admins) get by email concerns HSPs who want to find someone in the helping professions who works "locally."
This is a natural and real concern. When we seek self-development, it is very important to work with someone who "gets it." Alas, the HSP trait is still a fairly "specialized" branch of mental health, so it's not always possible of us to recommend or refer HSPs to someone local.
With that in mind, you might consider "distance learning."
Consultations with an HSP expert-- whether by phone, or by email-- can actually be very effective for HSPs. Although some are skeptical up front, phone and email consultations actually fit the HSP temperament quite well-- allowing us to stay in a comfortable location (home!) while doing effective learning.
If we work by email, the medium allows us plenty of time to "pause and reflect," as HSPs are wont to do. Although working by phone may be "live," it not only allows us to eliminate and anxiety associated with travel or "new places," it eliminates the brightness, loudness and other assaults on our senses... and allows us to focus on the learning.
So if you're seeking help with some issue, don't let the absence of a "local" therapist or coach stand in your way!
One of the frequent questions we (the group's admins) get by email concerns HSPs who want to find someone in the helping professions who works "locally."
This is a natural and real concern. When we seek self-development, it is very important to work with someone who "gets it." Alas, the HSP trait is still a fairly "specialized" branch of mental health, so it's not always possible of us to recommend or refer HSPs to someone local.
With that in mind, you might consider "distance learning."
Consultations with an HSP expert-- whether by phone, or by email-- can actually be very effective for HSPs. Although some are skeptical up front, phone and email consultations actually fit the HSP temperament quite well-- allowing us to stay in a comfortable location (home!) while doing effective learning.
If we work by email, the medium allows us plenty of time to "pause and reflect," as HSPs are wont to do. Although working by phone may be "live," it not only allows us to eliminate and anxiety associated with travel or "new places," it eliminates the brightness, loudness and other assaults on our senses... and allows us to focus on the learning.
So if you're seeking help with some issue, don't let the absence of a "local" therapist or coach stand in your way!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
New HSP Related Books: Elaine Aron, Ted Zeff
There are a couple of new books out, that are important to HSPs.
The first is Elaine Aron's new book "The Undervalued Self." This is not a book about being an HSP, but it is still very useful for HSPs. This book has been ten years in the making; I first heard Dr. Aron present some of the material covered, at an HSP Gathering in California, in 2003.
The core of the book is about helping us understand how we tend to "rank ourselves too low" in the world, typically as a result of negative experiences that happen, as a result of living normal life. This could be anything from having been bullied as a kid, to the effect of a series of failed relationships. What makes it particularly relevant for HSPs is that we tend to internalize and deeply process what happens to us, and then draw unrealistically negative conclusions about what happened.
In addition to illustrating how we undervalue ourselves, and how we use "self-protections" to keep ourselves in a place of low rank, "The Undervalued Self" also is an interactive workbook to help people find healing for the wounds that have kept them trapped. Although very readable, the book can be "heavy going" if you have a lot of wounds in your past and make the commitment to doing the suggested exercises and journaling.
Click on the image below to have a closer look at "The Undervalued Self":
Meanwhile, HSP author Ted Zeff writes about a part of the HSP experience that has long needed further examination: the male HSP.
Although written primarily about male children, "The Strong Sensitive Boy," is also highly recommended reading for adult highly sensitive men, if for no other reason than to find a retrospective sense of recognition and validation of their feelings as children. It is definitely a "must read" for parents of highly sensitive boys.
The book is both explanatory-- outlining the nature of, and issues facing, sensitive boys-- as well as full of useful guidance for parents to help them help their sensitive sons successfully negotiate the conventional "boys club" structure traditionally associated with becoming men. Different chapters cover such things as school, friends, sports, self-esteem, being a teenager, and more.
Click on the following link to have a closer look at "The Strong Sensitive Boy:"
Remember: When you're an HSP, educating yourself about your trait is essential. This is not a "pathology," it is an inborn neurological trait. Because there is nothing to be "cured," it becomes doubly important to understand yourself, so you can make the most of your life, as you are.
The first is Elaine Aron's new book "The Undervalued Self." This is not a book about being an HSP, but it is still very useful for HSPs. This book has been ten years in the making; I first heard Dr. Aron present some of the material covered, at an HSP Gathering in California, in 2003.
The core of the book is about helping us understand how we tend to "rank ourselves too low" in the world, typically as a result of negative experiences that happen, as a result of living normal life. This could be anything from having been bullied as a kid, to the effect of a series of failed relationships. What makes it particularly relevant for HSPs is that we tend to internalize and deeply process what happens to us, and then draw unrealistically negative conclusions about what happened.
In addition to illustrating how we undervalue ourselves, and how we use "self-protections" to keep ourselves in a place of low rank, "The Undervalued Self" also is an interactive workbook to help people find healing for the wounds that have kept them trapped. Although very readable, the book can be "heavy going" if you have a lot of wounds in your past and make the commitment to doing the suggested exercises and journaling.
Click on the image below to have a closer look at "The Undervalued Self":
Meanwhile, HSP author Ted Zeff writes about a part of the HSP experience that has long needed further examination: the male HSP.
Although written primarily about male children, "The Strong Sensitive Boy," is also highly recommended reading for adult highly sensitive men, if for no other reason than to find a retrospective sense of recognition and validation of their feelings as children. It is definitely a "must read" for parents of highly sensitive boys.
The book is both explanatory-- outlining the nature of, and issues facing, sensitive boys-- as well as full of useful guidance for parents to help them help their sensitive sons successfully negotiate the conventional "boys club" structure traditionally associated with becoming men. Different chapters cover such things as school, friends, sports, self-esteem, being a teenager, and more.
Click on the following link to have a closer look at "The Strong Sensitive Boy:"
Remember: When you're an HSP, educating yourself about your trait is essential. This is not a "pathology," it is an inborn neurological trait. Because there is nothing to be "cured," it becomes doubly important to understand yourself, so you can make the most of your life, as you are.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Tribe Magazine and Community for HSPs
The HSP Community now has its own magazine!
If you aren't already familiar with it, "Tribe" is a new magazine (in print, and online) created by HSPs, for and about HSPs covering a wide range of HSP-related topics. It's a beautiful and relevant magazine for HSPs; the second issue is currently in production.
The fact that there is now an "all HSP" magazine is testament to how far awareness of high sensitivity has grown, since Elaine Aron published her first book in 1996.
In addition to being a magazine, Tribe also an online community for HSPs. The web site's forums serve in part as a place for HSPs to connect with their peers, as well as a place where HSPs can submit their creative writing, poetry, articles and photography to be considered for publication in the magazine.
This first link is to the Tribe Magazine forums-- it's growing online community of friendly and welcoming HSPs. You will have to register in order to participate in discussions-- but that's quick and easy!
http://tribe.paramimedia.com/community/index.php
And here's a link to the main magazine web site. Here you can find information about Tribe, links to the online edition, and a place to order the printed edition. Personally, I recommend the paper version-- it's a really nice magazine!
http://tribe.paramimedia.com/
If you aren't already familiar with it, "Tribe" is a new magazine (in print, and online) created by HSPs, for and about HSPs covering a wide range of HSP-related topics. It's a beautiful and relevant magazine for HSPs; the second issue is currently in production.
The fact that there is now an "all HSP" magazine is testament to how far awareness of high sensitivity has grown, since Elaine Aron published her first book in 1996.
In addition to being a magazine, Tribe also an online community for HSPs. The web site's forums serve in part as a place for HSPs to connect with their peers, as well as a place where HSPs can submit their creative writing, poetry, articles and photography to be considered for publication in the magazine.
This first link is to the Tribe Magazine forums-- it's growing online community of friendly and welcoming HSPs. You will have to register in order to participate in discussions-- but that's quick and easy!
http://tribe.paramimedia.com/community/index.php
And here's a link to the main magazine web site. Here you can find information about Tribe, links to the online edition, and a place to order the printed edition. Personally, I recommend the paper version-- it's a really nice magazine!
http://tribe.paramimedia.com/
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Boston & New England HSP Group Web Site
Just a quick announcement that the group's web site has recently been updated, and in response to several inquiries, a new page about HSPs and seeking counseling/therapy has been added to the site.
This page includes information about HSPs and seeking care from physical or mental health providers, as well as a (very) short list of therapists and coaches who work with HSPs. You can visit the new page here.
This page includes information about HSPs and seeking care from physical or mental health providers, as well as a (very) short list of therapists and coaches who work with HSPs. You can visit the new page here.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Boston HSP Group Reaches 50 members!
The Boston and New England HSP Group-- that is, our discussion group on YahooGroups-- reached a small "milestone" today, as our 50th member joined the group.
Whereas this remains a fairly small sized group, it none-the-less makes the group the largest Regional/Local HSP group in the US, after the well-promoted and much older groups in Northern and Southern California.
If you've landed on one of our pages and are an HSP in the "upper right corner," come join our growing group!
Just click on "discussion forum" under the words "Where to find us" in the left column!
Whereas this remains a fairly small sized group, it none-the-less makes the group the largest Regional/Local HSP group in the US, after the well-promoted and much older groups in Northern and Southern California.
If you've landed on one of our pages and are an HSP in the "upper right corner," come join our growing group!
Just click on "discussion forum" under the words "Where to find us" in the left column!
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