If you’re an empath, you’ve likely struggled to make sense of what goes on in your mind and body. You’re highly sensitive, and you pick up on stimuli that many other people don’t. This can leave you feeling overwhelmed, confused, frustrated and agitated. Because “empath” isn’t a formal psychological diagnosis, you may not be familiar with the term. But if you’ve been seeking ways to improve your mental health and haven’t always resonated with your diagnosis or treatment plan, you might need to look for a therapist for empaths.
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How do i locate an empath therapist near me or online?
Many therapists have experience with empaths. However, some mental health professionals aren’t familiar with the concept. The term empath is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM. But that doesn’t mean that being an empath is not a real issue. It just indicates that you’ll need to do your research in order to find a good empath therapist near you or online.
You can start by searching online for empath therapists in your town. Many mental health professionals have extensive websites that outline their philosophy and services. Dig through this information, making sure to read the “About” pages and therapist biographies.
Some therapists may specifically indicate that they work with empaths. However, even if you don’t see that term on the website, you can look for other clues. Some words that suggest that a counselor might have experience with empaths include “intuitive” and “holistic.”
A holistic therapist will take into account a patients’ emotional, mental, physical and spiritual wellness. This type of professional should understand the ways in which an empathic nature can influence your energy on all of these levels. An intuitive therapist also recognizes concepts that are “beyond the book” and may use alternative techniques to achieve your goals in a well-rounded manner.
In your search, you might come across online therapists who are licensed in your state through BetterHelp.com. With an online therapy platform like this one, you can be in touch with a therapist more frequently. BetterHelp offers live one-on-one therapy as well as messaging options that allow you to get in touch with your therapist from any location.
What does it mean to be an empath?
Empathy is a significant emotion that many mental health professionals address in their work. However, empathy isn’t the same thing as being an empath.
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and feel what they are going through. Some psychologists refer to this as taking the perspective of someone else so that you can understand their emotions as though they are your own.
Although most people experience this at times, empathy falls on a spectrum. Some people feel it more than others.
The definition of empathy is broad and includes a broad range of phenomena. The definition of an empath is even vaguer. Empaths typically feel extremely sensitive to other people’s emotions. They may feel as though they absorb the energy around them, and other people’s emotions become their own.
Some other elements of being an empath include:
• Feeling overwhelmed by energy and emotion in a crowd
• Feeling drained after being in a large group
• Knowing what’s going on beneath the surface in social situations without being told
• Experiencing sensory overload from excessive stimuli, such as loud sounds or constant touch
• Needing a good deal of time alone to recharge
• Strong intuition
• Intense urges to help others through distressing times
Signs that you’re an empath
Being an empath isn’t a bad thing. At times, it can feel like a superpower and a gift that helps you communicate. But it can be frustrating and lonely to feel like you’re more sensitive or emotional than most people.
If you’re not sure whether you’re an empath, ask yourself the following questions.
• Do I feel anxious in crowds and drained after spending time around too many people? – While this could be a symptom of social anxiety, it’s also a sign that you’re an empath. The friction that you feel around crowds could be a result of picking up on so many different emotions. Because you feel them as your own, you end up anxious and overwhelmed by the varied emotions.
• Do I know how others are feeling even if they don’t tell me? – Empaths notice subtle nuances that go beyond body language and facial expression. They can often tell if someone is down even when that person seems fine, and they are aware of tension between people even if that strain is not discussed.
• Do excessive smells, sounds, lights, movement and touch get on my nerves? – Empaths usually have heightened senses. If you feel physically overstimulated by things that don’t seem to bother other people, such as the chatter at a restaurant, children yelling at the playground or the lights at the mall, you might be an empath.
• Does intimacy make me uncomfortable? – Empaths open their hearts easily. They don’t like to make others feel unwanted, uncomfortable or embarrassed. Therefore, they can fall into deep relationships quickly. However, getting too close with someone can be a double-edged sword. Empaths can lose themselves in other people’s emotions and neglect their own needs. In many cases, especially after experiencing at least one intense breakup, an empath will feel overwhelmed by their partner’s energy and have a strong urge to pull back.
• Am I strongly affected by other people’s emotions? – Do you feel sad when you’re roommate is bumming around all day? Does a coffee date with a bubbly friend make you feel more energetic? Empaths put themselves in other people’s shoes without realizing it, which means that the emotions of those around them can influence them to a surprising degree.
Does traditional therapy work for empaths?
There are a number of reasons why traditional therapy doesn’t always work well for empaths. While all therapists understand that empathy is a natural and necessary human emotion, some don’t “believe” in the idea of being an empath. There is not a great deal of direct evidence that empaths exist. On the other hand, scientists do know that empathy exists in varying degrees. Some researchers have documented evidence of empathic abilities.
But empathic qualities can mimic the symptoms of official psychological diagnoses. For example, an empath may appear to have social anxiety because they don’t like crowds. The self-imposed isolation that occurs after being overstimulated can look like depression.
You need a therapist that understands your nature and tries to work with it instead of fixing it. It is essential to be aware of your traits, and understanding where they’re coming from will help you cope. A therapist for empaths can help you do this.
Online therapy with BetterHelp is ideal for empaths who become easily overwhelmed in the vicinity of others. It allows patients to connect with a compassionate professional from the safety and comfort of their own space. You’ll have access to your therapist without the pressure that comes along with social situations.
Navigating online therapy for empaths
Online therapy for empaths is an excellent way to find a mental health professional who understands your needs. At BetterHelp, you’ll begin by answering a questionnaire about your life, mental health and physical wellness.
Your answers allow the website’s algorithm to pair you with the ideal therapist. You can message with them to learn more about them. If you’re happy with the match, you can set up sessions with that counselor. You can also select different therapists until you find the right fit.
Interviewing potential therapists can help you find one that suits your needs. This process can be expensive and time-consuming if you’re looking for a therapist that sees patients in their office. Vetting therapists to find the best one for you is much faster and more convenient online.
Once you have settled on a therapist, you can schedule time for one-on-one phone calls or messaging sessions. You can also leave messages for one another on your own time.
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How is online therapy for empaths different than traditional therapy?
The ability to message your therapist at any time allows you to express your thoughts and concerns as they happen. You don’t have to wait until your next office visit, as you would with a traditional therapist. Online therapy lets you quickly establish a background so that you can move on to the matters that are the most pressing for you at the moment.
A traditional therapy practice is often limited in the number of professionals that it employs and the methods used. At BetterHelp, you can choose a therapist from the vast pool of options. Different therapists use various techniques, and you should tailor a plan that is customized for you.
How will therapy for empaths help me?
Your gift doesn’t mean that you’re broken or have a disorder. However, empaths often have trouble navigating the intense emotions that rush through them.
Therapy for empaths can help you understand yourself better so that you don’t become confused or frustrated by your feelings. Moreover, it will provide you with coping skills to stay calm in situations that would otherwise overwhelm you.
With this understanding and the coping skills that you learn, you’ll be better able to manage your lifestyle without getting derailed. You’ll learn how to recharge in a healthy way and reduce your anxiety around other people.
The bottom line
Therapy for empaths can improve your communication with others, enhance your relationships and allow you to be comfortable with intimacy. It allows you to do what’s best for you while making the most of your compassionate nature.
If you’ve had trouble finding a therapist for empaths near you, online therapy is an ideal option. It’s convenient and takes the pressure off of finding the right professional to meet your needs. You can address your needs as they come up, and you may even be more likely to commit to this type of therapy option than one that requires you to commute to your appointments.
https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-an-empath
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-an-empath
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