Giftedness and Sensitivity

Giftedness is an often misunderstood state of being. It is often seen as an advantage or privilege, making one’s life easier. At the same time, gifted people are frequently described as highly sensitive, intense, overly curious, hyperactive, and sometimes confrontational.

Although often linked to intellectual giftedness, the term can be equally applied to describe ability, potential, or sensitivity in many other areas: physical, emotional, or creative. Families, educational institutions, and professional settings are not always appreciative of these gifts and are often underequipped to handle the intensity that often comes with giftedness. Because of this, people growing up with giftedness often find themselves confused about their own potential, limits, and discrepancies in performance in different areas of life.

My work with gifted and sensitive individuals focuses on developing a deeper, non-judgmental understanding of their own abilities and related needs. It often includes processing difficult experiences of growing up faced with demands that are not lined up with areas of strength, and lacking support in areas of deficit. Together, we learn to cultivate deeper self-compassion and self-advocacy, and unlearn unhelpful messages often stemming from early experiences with giftedness.