Psychology In Seattle Podcast Highly Sensitive Person (2020 Rerun)
Jan 8, 2026
In this enlightening conversation, Elena Herdieckerhoff, an intuitive life coach and advocate for highly sensitive people (HSPs), dives into the intricacies of sensitivity. She explains the genetic traits of HSPs using Dr. Elaine Aron's framework, discussing how deep processing and empathy affect their experiences. The duo navigates topics like the impact of nurturing environments on childhood outcomes, career fit for HSPs, and the nuances of sensory awareness. Elena also shares practical tips for self-management, emphasizing the importance of understanding sensitivity in personal and professional realms.
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Core Traits Summarized By DOES
- Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is a genetic personality trait identified by Elaine Aron and summarized by the DOES acronym.
- HSPs deeply process, are easily overstimulated, show strong empathy, and notice subtle sensory details.
Everyday Tactile Sensitivities
- Kirk describes lifelong tactile sensitivities like hating wool, cutting out tags, and needing to remove shoes when teaching.
- Elena affirms these are classic HSP experiences and calls them the 'princess on the pea' syndrome.
Amplified Nervous System Tradeoffs
- HSPs' nervous systems amplify small sensations, producing both strengths (deep thinking, perception) and vulnerabilities (overwhelm, anxiety).
- Heightened bodily awareness can be useful for safety cues but also increases health anxiety and difficulty calming down.