Dr. Sandie G Hucal, MD

Hidden beneath your overwhelm and heartache…
There is STRENGTH & RESILIENCE!

The Core Features of Being Highly Sensitive (DEEP)

Depth of Processing

• You process things very deeply- sensory input, emotions, thoughts

• You notice patterns and make connections that others miss

• You’re introspective, and tend to be quite intuitive and insightful

• You’re creative with a rich inner world and active imagination

• You seek a sense of meaning and purpose in life

Profound Empathy

• You naturally pick up on what others (people or animals) are feeling

• You find unfairness, injustice and cruelty difficult to tolerate

Emotional Intensity

• You feel things very deeply- joy, sadness, love, heartbreak,…

• Your emotional reactions tend to be more intense than most

• There’s a longing in your heart you can’t quite put your finger on

Highly Perceptive

• You notice (with your senses) and understand subtleties that most don’t

Other Common Characteristics:

• Deep love for Animals & Nature

• Passionate about what matters most to you

If you resonate with much of the above you’re likely an HSP. Some of the points may not apply to you, and there’s no minimum “score” needed to do sessions with Dr. Hucal.

Despite what you’ve been told- You’re not “too sensitive”

It’s important to note that being highly sensitive is a biological trait, not a disorder.

It’s not the same as emotional “hypersensitivity” (typically from childhood trauma), although the two often co-exist. See below for more information on HSP’s and trauma.

Unfortunately, the trait of being highly sensitive doesn’t come with a label or user’s manual.

Without awareness or guidance, you’re left trying to live life like everyone else.

But unlike most people, your nervous system is wired to take in everything, and process it on a very deep level. Add emotional intensity and profound empathy- and it’s a setup for overwhelm!

The Biggest Challenge for HSP’s is OVERWHELM:

Sensory

• Sensitivity to stimuli from one or more senses (e.g. bright lights, background noise, odours, etc.) or exposure to multiple stimuli can easily lead to overstimulation.

Empathy

• Without good self-awareness and boundaries it’s easy to take on (absorb) the emotions of those around you, which can be confusing and exhausting.

• Your deep empathy can lead to significant emotional distress in response to cruelty and suffering.

• Compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma can result from repetitive exposure to the suffering of others

Emotional

• When you’re overwhelmed thinking takes a backseat to emotions, which can lead to more drama in your life than is optimal

• Without the ability to ground yourself and manage the intensity of your emotions, it’s easy to become distraught over upsetting stories or events.

Cognitive

• Without careful tending to your thoughts, it’s easy to get caught in a spiral of overthinking and rumination that can lead to overwhelm and despair.

• Chronic overwhelm can impact cognitive functioning, leading to brain fog, poor memory and focus, etc.

Chronic overwhelm can result in:

• Exhaustion: mental, physical, emotional, spiritual

• Chronic Stress: impairs immune function, leading to chronic inflammation

• Mental health: chronic worrying, feelings of isolation or loneliness, despair, depression, anxiety, numbing out, addiction, compassion/empathy fatigue, vicarious trauma

• Physical health: stress-related disorders (headache, muscle tension, gastrointestinal,…), worsening of chronic illness (immune disorders, cancer, chronic fatigue,…)

HSP’s and Trauma:

• The trait of being highly sensitive increases the risk of early childhood adversity exceeding the ability of the nervous system to cope. If this happens repetitively it can have a pervasive impact on your sense of self, and how you perceive and interact with the world around you. This is referred to as developmental trauma, and is quite common in HSP’s who struggle with nervous system overwhelm as adults.

• Studies have shown a significant link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the development of chronic disease, as well as social and emotional challenges in adulthood.

• In our work together we’ll combine a variety of trauma-informed approaches and practices to best meet your needs on the path to resilience.

Animal Empathy Overwhelm

• Many HSP’s feel deep love and empathy for animals. You may even feel a deeper connection with animals than most people.

• It’s not uncommon to find mistreatment and suffering of animals especially distressing. “Animal empathy overwhelm” occurs when this starts to impact your emotional health and wellbeing.

• The good news is there’s hope! By learning about your trait, and developing greater emotional resilience, you can bring the gifts of your sensitivity to the world AND THRIVE.

Approach:

At this time, I’m offering online psychotherapy for highly sensitive women who are Alberta residents.

My approach focuses on helping you fully understand and embrace the trait of being highly sensitive, so you can embrace the fullness of who you are and thrive.

We’ll put together a program designed to meet your specific needs.

Core elements may include:

• Understanding the HSP trait

• Developmental trauma & HSP’s

• Handling empathic distress and overwhelm

• Self-care and compassion

• Grounding practices, mindfulness

• Connecting with the wisdom of your body

• Emotional intelligence & resilience

• Honouring loss and grief

• Companion Animal Loss

• Living in alignment with your core values

• Healing through deep mutual relationship with animals & Nature

• Tapping into the gifts of sensitivity & finding your way of bringing them to the world

• Emotional resilience for animal healthcare providers, caregivers, rescuers, and advocates

This program is NOT suited for the following:

• Severe mental illness

• Struggling with daily functioning

• Suicidal (or self-harm) within past 3 months

• Active addiction within 6 months

• Borderline Personality Disorder

• Psychotic disorders