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S6 E5 | The Highly Sensitive Person and Chronic Pain with Kayla Jacobsen, LICSW
Episode 52nd August 2026 • Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain • Sean Hershey LCSW
00:00:00 00:51:11

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Many of you know Dr. Elaine Aron’s research on HSPs. Many of you identify as HSPs. There’s a huge overlap between the highly sensitive trait and the propensity to develop chronic pain and symptoms.

If you haven’t heard about the highly sensitive person, however, prepare to have your mind potentially blown by psychotherapist Kayla Jacobsen, LICSW.

In this Episode:

🔹 Kayla Jacobsen’s a therapist who specializes in working with highly sensitive people. She’s also, like me, a highly sensitive person herself.

🔹 Kayla has her own journey with chronic neuroplastic symptom recovery, so she understands the intersection between high sensitivity and neuroplastic symptoms.

🔹 Today, Kayla summarizes the basic characteristics of the highly sensitive person.

🔹 Kayla outlines the 4 subtypes of highly sensitive people (the Deep Thinker, the Overstimulated Super-Sensor, the Emotionally-Responsive/Empathetic Super-Feeler, and those who are Sensitive to Subtle Stimuli).

🔹 Kayla reminds us: sensitivity does not “need” to be “overcome.” It's not a disorder. It's not a diagnosis. She validates us and reminds us that sensitivity is a strength.

Join us today. So many of us here are HSPs, so this is a great, highly relevant conversation.

Find Kayla:

Willow Creek Counseling MN: www.willowcreekcounselingmn.com/kaylajacobsen

Kayla’s Email: [email protected]

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Elaine Aron and the Highly Sensitive Person: hsperson.com

Self-Test: The Highly Sensitive Person Scale

The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Dr. Elaine Aron

Quiet by Susan Cain

Trust Yourself by Melody Wilding

The Mind-Body Healing Method with Grace Secker

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

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