Therapy for Sensitive People Who Feel Numb, Shut Down or Far From Themselves
In person in Lynnwood, WA · Online across Washington and California
You've always felt things deeply. You notice what others miss: a shift in someone's tone, the mood in a room, the weight behind a small comment.
But lately, or maybe for a long time, you feel far away. You don’t much to give any more. You can’t keep up.
From your feelings, your body, the people you love, even yourself.
Does this sound familiar?
You go numb or blank when emotions get too big.
In conflict, you shut down and can't find your words until hours later.
You feel like you're watching your life instead of living it.
You know you love people, but you can't always feel it.
Your body feels tense, tired or foreign, and it's hard to tell what you need.
You were once told you were "too sensitive," so you learned to turn it all down.
You might have grown up in a home where feelings weren't welcome or were dangerous to show. You might have lived through something overwhelming, such as sexual abuse, a medical emergency, a traumatic birth or a car accident, and haven't felt fully like yourself since. Or you might simply have spent so long holding everything together that you've lost touch with what's underneath.
Why sensitive people shut down
Shutting down is not a flaw. It's a protective response of your nervous system. When feelings were too much to handle, or when it wasn't safe to have them, your body found a way to turn the volume down.
That protection helped you survive. But it can't turn down only the painful feelings. Joy, closeness and aliveness get muted too. That's why many deep feelers describe feeling numb, foggy or disconnected, even when nothing is "wrong" on the surface.
The good news is that your sensitivity is still there. It's waiting for enough safety to come back online.
How we work together
With deep feelers, we go slowly and follow your body's pace. You're never pushed into feelings or memories before you're ready.
Somatic Experiencing gently helps your nervous system come out of shutdown, a little at a time, so feelings can return without flooding you.
IFS (Internal Family Systems) helps you understand the parts of you that go numb or pull away, and what they're protecting.
EMDR therapy helps process the experiences that taught your body to shut down, so it no longer needs to.
If a specific experience is at the root, I also offer focused support for sexual trauma, medical and birth trauma and car accident trauma. Weekly therapy and EMDR intensives are both available.
What reconnection can feel like
Healing can look like feeling your feelings without being overwhelmed by them. Staying present in a hard conversation. Feeling warmth toward the people you love. Noticing what your body needs, and trusting it. And feeling like yourself again, sensitivity included.
About me
I'm Jane I-Chen Liu, LMHC (WA), LPCC (CA). I'm a Certified EMDR Therapist, Certified IFS Therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. I bring a gentle, attuned approach, and I know firsthand what it's like to soften a relationship with your body and with yourself. I also offer therapy in Mandarin. Learn more about me.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I feel numb and disconnected from my emotions? Emotional numbness is often your nervous system's way of protecting you from feelings that once felt too overwhelming or unsafe. It's common after childhood trauma, sexual abuse, medical trauma or long periods of stress. Somatic therapy, IFS and EMDR can help your body feel safe enough to reconnect.
Why do I shut down during arguments? Shutting down in conflict is usually a freeze response. Your body senses threat and goes quiet to protect you. It's not a choice or a character flaw. Therapy can help your nervous system stay present so you can speak up in the moment. I write more about this in Why Do I Shut Down When I Get Upset?
Is somatic therapy good for highly sensitive people? Yes. Somatic Experiencing works gently and at your pace, which makes it a good fit for sensitive people who feel overwhelmed easily. We work in small steps so your system isn't flooded.
Will I have to relive my trauma? No. We focus on how your body and mind respond now, not on retelling every detail. You stay in control of what we explore and how fast.
Do you offer therapy online? Yes. I offer online therapy throughout Washington and California, and in-person sessions at my office in Lynnwood, WA.
Your sensitivity is actually your super power
If you're ready to feel close to yourself and your life again, I'd be honored to walk alongside you.