"What does that mean?"
Sometimes, beginning counseling or working with a different counselor is like visiting a new place. There are words and customs you might not understand. Here are some resources that might be helpful.
Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)--a personality trait* that originates at birth and is often hereditary. HSPs need time and quiet to process information. They tend to be labeled as "overthinkers" or "too sensitive" by people in their lives. HSPs are generally very creative individuals who can become overstimulated by bright lights, loud or obnoxious noises, strong smells, etc. Sometimes, HSPs are misdiagnosed with inattentive ADHD, or sometimes they have both.
Learn more about HSPs and take a free quiz to find out if you have this trait via Dr. Elaine Aaron's website.
*Note: Being a highly sensitive person is different than having Sensory Processing Disorder.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)--this counseling modality is strengths-based and is founded on the belief that every individual has what's needed to find the solutions to their problems, but might need some guidance to do so.
A close cousin to Motivational Interviewing, SFBT is evidence-based and used in many settings with many different types of people. It focuses on what's working and how to do more of that, and less on problems/dwelling on what can't be changed.
Learn more about Solution-Focused Brief Therapy via the SFBT Association.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)--This mental health counseling practice is one of the most popular now. Another evidence-based modality, CBT involves working to change one's thoughts, which then changes one's feelings and behaviors.
Learn more about CBT via the Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies.
Narrative Therapy--In this modality, individuals are recognized as the experts in their own lives. Narrative therapy assumes that people have many skills, strengths, and competencies that will help them to positively change the issues or problems they're dealing with.
Learn more about narrative therapy via the Narrative Therapy Centre.
Other helpful tools: