Sage-Tips

Can highly sensitive people be counselors?

Although some therapists are highly sensitive people themselves, others are not. It is not necessarily a requirement for your chosen therapist to be an HSP like you, but you may have that preference.

Can you be a therapist if you have trauma?

Counselors are not immune to trauma — in fact, far from it. Many practitioners say that personal or familial experience with trauma or mental illness actually spurred them to become professional counselors. “Just because you’ve been through trauma doesn’t mean you can’t become a counselor.

Is being a highly sensitive person a bad thing?

Although it comes with challenges, being an HSP isn’t a malfunction or disorder. In fact, it’s perfectly normal and healthy — and in some cases, advantageous. According to Dr. Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person, about 15-20 percent of the population are highly sensitive.

How can I be a counselor?

How To Become a Counselor

1. Pursue a master’s degree in counseling.
2. Complete practicum and/or internship hour.
3. Obtain counseling licensure and/or certification.
4. Choose a counseling career path.
5. Advance your practice through continued learning.

Can you be a therapist with mental illness?

Students who have a mental illness that interferes with their studies may qualify for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For example, a student with a diagnosis of depression might be permitted to move through a graduate psychology program at a slower pace.

What skills does a Counsellor need?

Key skills for counsellors

• Listening skills.
• Empathy and understanding.
• A non-judgemental attitude.
• Patience and a calm manner.
• Ability to cope with emotional situations.
• Ability to relate to and adapt communication style to suit a wide range of people.

What makes a great Counsellor?

A genuine interest in others For a lasting and gratifying career you will need to remain curious and committed to improving the emotional wellbeing of your clients. Being able to demonstrate real interest in your clients’ individual situations will promote a positive and trusting client-counsellor relationship.

Does my therapist have to be a highly sensitive person?

Although some therapists are highly sensitive people themselves, others are not. It is not necessarily a requirement for your chosen therapist to be an HSP like you, but you may have that preference.

Should highly sensitive counselors compare themselves to others?

It’s important for highly sensitive counselors not to compare themselves to counselors who do not have this trait, she says. Instead, they have to figure out their own needs and best practices.

Is being a highly sensitive person (HSP) bad?

Jodi Clarke, LPC/MHSP is a licensed professional counselor and mental health service provider with over 20 years of experience in the field. Being a highly sensitive person (HSP) is not a bad thing. It simply means that you tend to process things more deeply, such as cues, emotions, and experiences.

Do highly sensitive counselors have trouble leaving work at work?

Because highly sensitive people process more deeply, counselors with this trait may have difficulty leaving work at work, notes Heather Smith, a licensed professional counselor and an assistant professor of human development counseling at Vanderbilt University.