What has been your experience finding connection and community as a highly sensitive person?  In this episode, I talk with Brian Torres, LMFT about the stigma of high sensitivity, the essential need for more inclusive HSP community spaces, and:
 
• The vulnerability of sharing your sensitivity and opening up to criticism and misperceptions about the trait

• The stigma of high sensitivity and the essential need for more inclusive HSP community spaces

• Feeling different as a sensitive kid and learning why as an adult

• What it means to be highly sensitive and LGBTQIA+ plus the parallels between the two 

• Sensitivity doesn’t always look the same for HSPs from marginalized groups and why representation is important to represent the many ways sensitivity shows up 

• The role privilege plays in honoring your sensitive needs 

• Recognizing the resilience in sensitivity and the essential nature in HSPs using their gifts for equality and inclusiveness 

Brian is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Los Angeles, California. He has previously served as a mental health and crisis counselor with the Los Angeles LGBT Center and The Trevor Project. In his clinical practice, Brian specializes in working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as highly sensitive persons. With a passion for research on high sensitivity, he has presented at conferences and offers insightful training on high sensitivity within the LGBTQ+ community.

Keep in touch with Brian:
Website: http://www.briantorrestherapy.com

Resources Mentioned:
• Alanis Morissette's Podcast: https://alanis.com/podcasts
• The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182

For more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.com 

Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at:
https://www.sensitivestories.com

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And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. 

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This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. 

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