Let me make this clear: sensory sensitivity can come from disabilities and neurodivergence. And, we can also experience this as a result of stress or trauma. If your sensitivity to sensations (hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling, balance, internal body cues and sensations, and awareness of body position and movement) has been lifelong, it might be due to a neurodevelopmental disorder. If it coincides with the development of a disability, illness, or injury, it might be related to the biological and neurological process your body experienced. If this is a new, concerning, or confusing experience, it might be related to a stressful or traumatic experience. It is always a good idea to bring up these new sensory sensitivities with a physical care physician so that they can rule out any biological or medical causes.

It can be overwhelming to experience new sensory sensitivities that others cannot sense, and wonder if something is wrong with your perception of the world. These experiences may be temporary or long term, hallucinations or sensitivity, and can bring up a range of emotional feelings.

Through relational therapy, we can identify what stressors might be able to be reduced and ways we can navigate these new experiences.

Sensory sensitivity - whether you are experiencing “too much” sensory input or “not enough” can be distressing.

There is research that sound sensitivity (misophonia, hyperacusis, and phonophobia) can be treated through therapeutic work, but it is always recommended that you see a doctor to rule out hearing, neurological, or autoimmune conditions before we treat it only through this lens.

Hallucinations often seem disorienting, confusing, or other-wordly to the person experiencing them. Sometimes symptoms can be scary, frightening, or defeating. Other times, they can be bothersome or annoying. Many times people do not seek treatment for what clinicans label as “psychosis” because they experience these symptoms as helpful, ancestral, connecting, or beautiful. Mad Liberation leaders have described “psychosis” as a clinical descriptor that can be othering, whereas “altered states” encapsulates all the experiences of people with these gifts and connections.

When you come to therapy with any of these experiences, we will use the terms you choose. Diagnosis is not the goal, but treatment of what is hurting or causing suffering is. If we notice that these symptoms get in the way of daily functioning, we might do a full assessment, called the SIPS, which stands for Structural Interview for Psychosis Risk Syndromes. This assessment can be useful to identify if you are at risk for developing a more long-term disorder or if you are experiencing a short term burst of symptoms.

I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), which can help us break down the beliefs and thought patterns that keep you up at night. I also practice Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which are two important modalities to help in times of crisis and reconnection to your values. I also practice evidence-based treatments for trauma: Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Narrative Exposure therapies (NET). I believe when someone comes to therapy with psychosis or altered states, it is most likely that they are processing trauma, grief, or having to navigate crises without support. Research shows that psychosis often happens as a result of “too much” happening all at once. We can work together to build safety and stability, while also focusing on your goals.

Yes, sensory sensitivity and hallucinatory experiences can often be attributed to neurodivergence and/or chronic stress. Sometimes we can experience identity stress, traumatic stress, or relational stress. Maybe you’re experiencing all three.

We will work to understand if these are sensitivities, triggers, or hallucinations. Then we will adapt to reduce stress in your life and find ways to navigate these new experiences. Clients often experience a decrease in symptoms or that they have less of an impact on daily life.