As a psychiatrist and, personally, as an empath, I’ve learned that being in an intimate relationship requires ongoing creative, honest conversations with your mate. As my Daoist teacher says, “Your soulmate can become your cellmate” if you’re not both dedicated to mutual growth and authenticity. It’s painful to be in a relationship where communication isn’t…
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Empathy is when we reach our hearts out to others and put ourselves in their shoes. However, being an empath goes even farther. Like many of my patients and myself, empaths are people who’re high on the empathic spectrum and actually feel what is happening in others in their own bodies. As a result, empaths can have incredible compassion for people–but they often get exhausted from feeling “too much” unless they develop strategies to safeguard their sensitivities and develop healthy boundaries….
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Many sensitive children do not feel seen by their parents, teachers, or family. Their sensitivities are treated more like aberrations from the norm than precious and unique abilities. Many of us are told as children, “Get a thicker skin,” or “Toughen up,” suggesting that something is wrong with our empathic nature. Growing up with the…
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Empathic people love music. It is a balm for their sensitive soul. Listening to it, playing it, admiring it. Music can wash over and nurture you. It can elevate your spirit. I am excited to share my favorite music recommendations for empaths with you. I hope the music I’ve selected will uplift, inspire, and soothe…
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Why do people become empaths? Is it temperament? Genetics? Trauma? Neglectful or supportive parental upbringing? As a psychiatrist and an empath, I’ve seen that the following four main factors (which I expand upon in my book The Empath’s Survival Guide) can contribute to heightening one’s sensitivities….
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Empaths are often sound sensitive and have a lower tolerance for noise. It’s important that we empaths honor our sound sensitivity and do our best to create an environment that is quiet and peaceful. For myself and many empaths, loud noises are painful and anxiety-provoking. We have an enhanced startle response and are super-reactive to…
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Touch plays a vital role in soothing us and connecting our energy to others. However, during the pandemic, many of my empath and other patients are craving touch or “Vitamin T” (as I call it). Our regular sources of touch may have been taken away — hugging friends, a coworker’s pat on the back, getting…
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I am pleased to offer you my recommendations for empath friendly films. By this I mean, films that are inspirational, sometimes magical, and filled with love of the Earth and its creatures as well as friendships and all of humankind. These are not violent, loud, or action thrillers. Their pace is slower, richer, and leaves…
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It’s important to find a way of relating to people so that you can develop a harmonious interdependence rather than being codependent….
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Learning to deal with feeling overwhelmed is an essential part of an empath’s tool kit. The secret to reducing overwhelm is to notice it quickly. Many empathic patients have come to me saying, “I’ve felt overwhelmed for years.” They live in the persistent, uncomfortable state of sensory overload or else have become exhausted, burned out,…
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