The world of talk therapy is expanding. With the advent of online therapists and counseling platforms, more and more people are getting in touch with their emotions. Therapists for empaths are trained to focus on the specialized needs of highly sensitive people.
An empath experiences physical symptoms and feelings that originate outside their perspective.
It is possible to have empathy without being a full-blown empath. Empathy is the ability to understand people’s emotions, while empaths take on emotions from their environment.
Empaths are highly sensitive people. They are often described as emotional sponges. While many empaths are compassionate and attempt to alleviate emotional pain from others, some use their empathy for their gain.
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Most empaths have difficulty coming to terms with their emotions. Their high sensitivity limits their ability to understand their feelings.
Empaths use their high sensitivity to read others’ emotions. This can be a helpful skill but may make traditional therapy more difficult. Being able to read and react to other people’s feelings make them good friends, but they often have trouble interpreting their emotions.
Empaths often lack mental health coping skills and struggle to deal with their emotions. It may also be harder for empaths and highly sensitive people to find a therapy that fits their needs.
There are also some questions about what it means to be an empath, so treatment for empaths may vary significantly. The term “empath” is not found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM).
Isn’t an empath just a highly sensitive person? The two concepts have a lot in common. Both empaths and highly sensitive persons :
- are highly sensitive to light, loud noises, and smells
- easily experience stress
- tend to avoid large crowds and chaotic environments
- are sensitive to energies around them (for example, noticing when something isn’t quite right).
- are deeply affected by deception
- are easily overwhelmed
- have issues setting boundaries
- often suffer from social anxiety
However, empaths also internalize the emotions of others. Empaths feel emotions to the same degree as the person they’re interacting with. On the other hand, highly sensitive people are more attuned to emotions than the general population, but empaths have a more intense experience.
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What are the types of empaths?
Empathic abilities are still being studied. Dr. Judith Orloff, MD, has spent most of her career attempting to understand her empathic gift and help other empaths. She has described three main groups of empaths.
Physical
Physical empaths absorb the physical symptoms of the people around them. For example, a physical empath may speak to someone who complains of stomach pains. The physical empath will then also feel stomach pain.
Emotional
Emotional empaths take on the feelings of those around them. They may feel sad or upset when hearing a friend talk about a loss.
Intuitive
Intuitive empaths have a shared connection with others on a more spiritual level. They sometimes experience precognition, waking or in dreams. Intuitive empaths are described as making connections with animals and even plants.
Cognitive
Dr. Paul Ekman, Ph.D., refers to a particular type of empath as a cognitive empath. This type of empath can understand the emotions of others but does not necessarily sympathize. This type of empath may use their abilities to hurt others. They are referred to as dark empaths.
A dark empath would use cognitive empathy to benefit from someone else’s emotional state. These dark empaths share some characteristics with narcissistic tendencies. However, the DSM hasn’t classified dark empathy as a mental disorder.
Dark empaths often:
- have a deep need for approval
- do not gain pleasure from social rewards
- show emotional detachment
- are extroverted
- engage in bullying and other aggressive behaviors
Cognitive, intuitive, emotional, and physical empaths are the most common classifications. However, there are many subcategories of empaths and highly sensitive persons, each with individual needs.
Online Therapy for Empaths and Highly Sensitive Persons
Traditional talk therapy is not always specialized enough to cater to the highly sensitive person in treatment. Using the internet, empathic people can filter through many therapists. Users can find appropriate counseling for their emotional needs.
Finding good therapists for empaths is not always easy, but many options exist. Whether online or in-person therapy for empaths can address the common problems associated with empaths, such as:
- Difficulty understanding their own emotions
- difficulty in relationships
- self-care
- self-critical thoughts
- feeling overwhelmed
- understanding social situations
Many therapists have worked with highly sensitive people and empaths, but some don’t recognize these terms or offer specialized empath treatment. It is vital to research to find an empath therapist online.
Online therapy platforms like Better Help and Talk Space make it easier to find an empath therapist. They allow clients to select the online therapist that best suits them.
Online platforms for therapy also allow for greater anonymity. Though it is lessening, there is still a stigma around accessing mental health services.
With the option for video calls from anywhere, online therapy can offer personal development opportunities in a comfortable space.
Online therapy platforms also reduce the anxiety associated with contacting a therapist. In an insensitive world, searching online is an excellent tool for finding empath therapists and highly sensitive person treatment.
Cost comparison between in-person therapy & online therapy
| BetterHelp | In-person therapy |
| $60 to $90 per week (one live session per week, unlimited messaging) | $100 to $200 per session |
| $240 and $360 monthly Get 15% off for Healthy Minded visitors |
Empath Therapy Near Me
Therapy for empaths isn’t limited to online. It may take a bit of leg work, but it is possible to find an in-person therapist that fits the need of empaths and highly sensitive people.
It might be best to start locally. You might ask your current counselor for advice if you are currently in therapy. They may know another professional that specializes in treatment for empaths.
You can reach out to your community if you are not currently in highly sensitive person treatment. Friends and family may be aware of a counselor that offers therapy for empaths.
Contacting a therapist to find out what services they offer is essential. The internet is a great tool, but with a bit of footwork, you can still find an in-person therapist close to you.
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How can I manage life as an empath?
Finding a therapist is only part of the well-being process. There are practices an empath can do while searching for a counselor or in between sessions to manage their hypersensitivity.
Many empaths have difficulties saying “no.” Empaths need to recognize their own needs healthily. At first, they might feel guilty about not addressing the needs of the people around them, but it is necessary to set boundaries.
Setting boundaries daily with space and time will allow the empath to develop greater emotional independence.
Empaths must also learn to live alone. The empath acts as an emotional sponge and needs time away from others to understand their feelings better.
The life of an empath or highly sensitive person is, at times, frustrating and overwhelming. However, it is possible to cope with these intense emotions. The support of an empath therapist or highly sensitive person treatment supports a healthy life for this particular group.
