eiseEducation

In 1997, Elaine and Arthur Aron introduced their initial research on the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). They investigated individual personality differences in both explorative and inhibited responses to the environmental stimuli, especially in the context of adaptive human health. Research suggests HSP individuals may potentially represent 20% of the human population. At the same, the HSP presentation has correlated with higher adult mental health risk—stress, ill health and lower life satisfaction—and is hypothesised to be present in 50% of adult individuals who may struggle with mental health. There are also positive aspects—HSP’s may respond quite well to supportive environments—but these aspects  has not yet been well-researched. 

The session will consider questions along three lines of enquiry:
•    First, the discussion looks at conceptual issues—past and present. What exactly is the current view on the “contents” of the HSP? What are its sub-facets and cohort clusters?  Measures? How does it compare to other personality approaches? 
•    Second, what has the HSP research demonstrated in terms of mental health risks and possible therapeutic implications? What does it mean to say that an HSP is more sensitive to both negative and positive changes in environments? How exactly has therapy with managed? A case example of HSP informed therapy will be provided. 
•    Third, what might be the benefit and challenges of embracing trait or temperament considerations? How might we avoid ‘trait fatalism’, whereby clients’ sense of agency might be enhanced? Why has the field of therapy shied away from trait notions? Can we integrate into our current practices? 

The webinar asks, have we missed something here? The answer is probably less definitive, but the field definitely merits our attention!