The Empath's Survival Guide

Highly Sensitive Person
5 Strategies to Help Sensitive Children Overcome Shame

Judith Orloff M.D. on September 8, 2025

Highly sensitive children are often shamed for their sensitivities and believe there’s something wrong with them. Learn five tips to help them overcome shame and feel empowered.

Highly sensitive children are often shamed for their sensitivities and believe there’s something wrong with them. Learn five tips to help them overcome shame and feel empowered.

Parenting
How an Empath Can Cope With Parenting

Judith Orloff M.D. on August 7, 2025

There are ways to balance work, spouse, friends, family, and kids without freaking out, even if you’re an empath who's easily overwhelmed.

There are ways to balance work, spouse, friends, family, and kids without freaking out, even if you’re an empath who's easily overwhelmed.

Burnout
How to Empathize With Others Without Burning Out

Judith Orloff M.D. on September 25, 2023

Being of service has many health benefits. But when you over-give, you can burn out and take on other people's emotions. Learn strategies for healthy giving to protect yourself.

Being of service has many health benefits. But when you over-give, you can burn out and take on other people's emotions. Learn strategies for healthy giving to protect yourself.

Stress
How to Stop Absorbing the Stress and Negativity of Others

Judith Orloff M.D. on July 11, 2023

Sensitive souls are blessed with an open heart, but this can open them to absorbing other people's stress and negativity. Learn strategies to protect yourself.

Sensitive souls are blessed with an open heart, but this can open them to absorbing other people's stress and negativity. Learn strategies to protect yourself.

Empathy
Who Makes the Ideal Match for Empaths?

Judith Orloff M.D. on May 4, 2023

Knowing your partner’s type provides insight into how you interact with each other. It can also help you master your emotions and keep your balance when triggered.

Knowing your partner’s type provides insight into how you interact with each other. It can also help you master your emotions and keep your balance when triggered.

Wisdom
How to Thrive in a Dysfunctional Family

Judith Orloff M.D. on January 3, 2023

If you come from a dysfunctional family, it’s wise to accept the limitations of each of the members and lower your expectations.

If you come from a dysfunctional family, it’s wise to accept the limitations of each of the members and lower your expectations.

Relationships
Are You in a Relationship With a Soulmate or Cellmate?

Judith Orloff M.D. on March 25, 2022

A soulmate is a meant-to-be relationship with someone for whom you feel a strong connection. To be comfortable enough to let go and be real with a soulmate, see these tips.

A soulmate is a meant-to-be relationship with someone for whom you feel a strong connection. To be comfortable enough to let go and be real with a soulmate, see these tips.

Fear
The Challenge of Change for Empaths

Judith Orloff M.D. on December 1, 2021

Empaths often fear change, but this meditation practice can help you surrender to the ebb and flow of life.

Empaths often fear change, but this meditation practice can help you surrender to the ebb and flow of life.

Quiet
Anxiety
How to Cope with the Toxicity of Noise

Judith Orloff M.D. on May 7, 2021

For many empaths, loud noises are painful and anxiety-provoking because we have an enhanced startle response and are reactive to intense sensory input.

For many empaths, loud noises are painful and anxiety-provoking because we have an enhanced startle response and are reactive to intense sensory input.

Anxiety
Strategies to Decrease Worry and Fear

Judith Orloff M.D. on April 1, 2020

We must do our best to shift out of obsessive worry and focus more on hope, health, and a positive future. Try these strategies to reduce fear and anxiety.

We must do our best to shift out of obsessive worry and focus more on hope, health, and a positive future. Try these strategies to reduce fear and anxiety.

Health
How Subtle Energy Affects Your Health

Judith Orloff M.D. on February 21, 2020

Have you ever met someone at a party and liked her immediately? You may have been responding to another person's "energy." Learn to understand this intuitive feeling.

Have you ever met someone at a party and liked her immediately? You may have been responding to another person's "energy." Learn to understand this intuitive feeling.

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Magazine
November 2025 magazine cover
November 2025
Healing Family Splits

Cut-offs cut deep and wide, their emotional impact reverberating far beyond the combatants. Because much of the suffering is hidden, repair is challenging for everyone, not least of all therapists.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
Quizzes