What If Your “Anxiety” Isn't Actually Anxiety? Understanding THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANXIETY & High Sensitivity TO Energy
For highly sensitive people on the Sunshine Coast seeking clarity and support
If you've been told you're anxious, you've probably spent years trying to manage it. But what if the label was wrong all along?
I work with many people who describe themselves as highly anxious. They've tried therapy, breathing exercises, and positive thinking — but something still feels off. When we slow down and really listen to what's happening in the body, a different story often emerges.
Here's a pattern I see constantly in my holistic counselling practice on the Sunshine Coast:
At home — in your own space — you feel mostly okay. But the moment you're about to go out, or you arrive somewhere with other people, your body reacts.
Tightness in the chest. Shallow breathing. A sense of unease in the gut. Big feelings that seem to come out of nowhere.
We're quick to label this as anxiety. But there's an important difference many people were never taught.
The Difference Between Anxiety and High Sensitivity
As a holistic counsellor and shamanic practitioner, I've learned to recognize the subtle but crucial distinction between traditional social anxiety and what I call high sensitivity to energy.
Traditional Social Anxiety Often Sounds Like:
Am I going to be judged?
Do I belong here?
How do I need to show up to be accepted?
It's rooted in fear — fear of rejection, embarrassment, or not being good enough.
High Sensitivity to Energy Feels Different
It's not fear of people. It's absorbing the emotional and energetic state of those around you, often without realizing it.
There can be a blurring of boundaries:
What's mine?
What belongs to someone else?
Where do I end, and where do others begin?
Your body responds — not because something is wrong with you — but because it's holding more than it's meant to.
Are You Absorbing Other People's Energy?
If you're a highly sensitive person or empath, you might recognize these experiences:
Feeling fine at home but overwhelmed in social situations
Walking into a room and immediately sensing tension or heaviness
Feeling drained after spending time with certain people
Picking up on emotions that don't seem to be yours
Needing extensive alone time to "recharge" your nervous system
This isn't anxiety in the traditional sense. This is your nervous system responding to energy that isn't yours to carry.
The Shift That Changes Everything
Here's where healing begins.
Instead of telling yourself: "I'm anxious. Something is wrong with me."
You can gently reframe it to: "I'm not anxious — I'm highly sensitive, and I'm feeling what isn't mine."
That awareness alone can bring profound relief.
Because when you stop claiming other people's energy as your own, your nervous system no longer has to carry it in the body.
Creating Healthy Energetic Boundaries
From this place of awareness, you can begin creating healthy energetic boundaries — not by hardening or shutting down, but by clearly knowing what belongs to you… and what doesn't.
In my holistic therapy sessions, we work with:
Nervous System Regulation: Learning to recognize when you're in your own energy versus when you've absorbed someone else's
Somatic Practices: Body-based techniques to release what doesn't belong to you
Energetic Boundaries: Practical tools to protect your energy without disconnecting from others
Ancestral & Spiritual Support: Understanding patterns passed down through family lines and reconnecting with your own spiritual resources
This work isn't about fixing what's "broken." You're not broken. You're perceptive.
And although this sensitivity can sometimes feel like a burden, it’s really your superpower!
Holistic Support for Sensitive Souls on the Sunshine Coast
If this resonates with you, you're not alone.
Many of my clients come to me having tried traditional therapy for anxiety — only to find that something was still missing. That's because highly sensitive people and empaths often need a different approach.
My work as a holistic counsellor and shamanic healer bridges the gap between traditional therapy and deeper spiritual and energetic healing. I support sensitive souls to:
Understand the difference between their anxiety and their sensitivity
Stop absorbing other people's emotions and energy
Heal relationship patterns and boundary guilt
Regulate their nervous system and feel safe in their bodies
Reconnect with their gifts without the overwhelm
This is spirited holistic counselling — where we honour every part of you: mind, body, soul, and spirit.
You Don't Have to Navigate This Alone
Whether you're dealing with what you've called "anxiety," struggling with energy boundaries, or simply feeling like something deeper is calling you toward healing — I'm here to support you.
I offer therapy sessions both in person at Mooloolaba Wellness Collective and online across Australia.
Special Intro Offer: 3 Sessions for $300
These sessions give us space to explore what's really happening beneath the surface, create practical tools for your daily life, and begin the journey toward feeling more like yourself again.
Ready to Explore This Further?
Book your free 20-minute consultation call here
This complimentary call gives us a chance to see if we're a good fit. We'll chat about what's bringing you here, your goals, and how I approach the work. It's a no-pressure conversation to help you feel confident about whether working together aligns with your healing journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if I'm highly sensitive or just anxious?
A: If you feel fine at home but overwhelmed around people, if you pick up on emotions that aren't yours, and if you need lots of alone time to recharge — you might be highly sensitive rather than (or in addition to) having anxiety. In our sessions, we can explore this together.
Q: Can you help with both anxiety and high sensitivity?
A: Absolutely. Often they're intertwined. My holistic approach addresses nervous system healing, emotional regulation, energetic boundaries, and the deeper patterns that keep you stuck.
Q: What makes your approach different from traditional therapy?
A: As a holistic counsellor and shamanic practitioner, I work with the whole person — mind, body, emotions, energy, and spirit. We don't just talk about what's wrong; we actively work to shift it using somatic practices, creative therapies, and shamanic healing alongside trauma-informed counselling.
Q: Do you work with empaths specifically?
A: Yes! Much of my work focuses on supporting highly sensitive people and empaths who struggle with absorbing other people's energy, boundary guilt, and nervous system overwhelm.
Q: Where are you located?
A: I see clients in person at Mooloolaba Wellness Collective on the Sunshine Coast, and I also offer online sessions across Australia and worldwide.
Does This Resonate With You?
You're not broken. You're perceptive. And with the right support, you can learn to navigate the world as a sensitive person without the constant overwhelm.
I'd love to walk alongside you on this journey.
Rachel Rose
Holistic Counsellor & Shamanic Practitioner
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
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