Therapy for People Who Feel “Too Much”: Sensitivity, Shame, and Self-Compassion

Do you ever feel like you’re “too much” for others — too sensitive, too emotional, too intense? Many people carry this belief quietly, shaped by years of being told to tone it down, get over it, or toughen up.

But what if your sensitivity isn’t a flaw? What if it’s a strength that needs care, not shame?

Where the “Too Much” Story Comes From

Often, this belief begins in childhood. If your feelings were dismissed or ridiculed, you learned that emotional expression wasn’t safe. Over time, sensitivity becomes something you hide or apologise for.

But sensitivity is not weakness. It’s the ability to feel deeply, to notice subtle shifts, to connect profoundly with others. Without support, it can feel overwhelming. With the right care, it can become one of your greatest strengths.

Shame and the Inner Critic

For sensitive people, the inner critic often speaks loudly: “You’re overreacting. You’re too dramatic. No one else feels this way.” This shame isolates you, making you doubt your experiences and needs.

Therapy helps interrupt this cycle of shame. By creating space where feelings are validated rather than dismissed, you begin to rebuild trust in your inner world.

Learning Self-Compassion

A central part of healing is developing self-compassion. Instead of criticising your sensitivity, therapy invites you to hold it with gentleness. Self-compassion allows you to regulate overwhelming emotions while still honouring their depth.

In relationships, this shift is powerful. When you no longer carry shame about being “too much,” you can ask for support more openly and connect without fear of rejection.

Therapy in North Sydney

At my therapy space in North Sydney, I work with many people who identify as sensitive, empathic, or deeply emotional. Together, we untangle the shame attached to sensitivity and build a more compassionate relationship with yourself.

You are not too much. You are exactly enough. And therapy can help you finally feel that truth in your bones.