*Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of suicide, which may be sensitive for some listeners.

If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t speak up for your needs in the workplace, doctor’s office, classroom, this episode is for you. Today, I speak with Dr. Sandra Clifton who shares her personal journey realizing she was an HSP after a gift from her sister changed her life. This led to a mission: advocating for highly sensitive students and reframing sensitivity in education and mental health.

Our conversation uncovers how can show up better in the world when we feel comfortable advocating for our needs.

Dr. Clifton shares:

• The gift that changed her entire understanding “self.”
• How naming her sensitivity led to healing, confidence, and purpose.
• The challenges sensitive students face in traditional education systems.
• Her work supporting gifted and twice-exceptional learners.
• What she wants educators, therapists, and doctor’s offices to understand about HSPs.

Topics covered:

• HSP self-discovery and identity.
• High sensitivity often goes unrecognized or misunderstood.
• HSPs in education and student advocacy.
• Tools and support for improved self-acceptance and resilience.
• Building a supportive community for highly sensitive people.
• The importance of safe, validating spaces for HSPs.
• The language and tools needed to thrive as an HSP.

About Dr. Sandra Clifton:

Sandra Clifton is a Board-Certified Educational Therapist, life coach, and former high school English teacher with over 18 years of experience. She has worked with Yale’s Center for Emotional Intelligence and now runs Clifton Corner, a private practice supporting gifted, sensitive, and twice-exceptional students.

Sandra specializes in helping overwhelmed learners and their families navigate challenges like perfectionism, organization, and school transitions using tools like mindfulness, creativity, and positive psychology. She holds a doctorate in Cognitive Diversity, with research focused on twice-exceptional highly sensitive individuals and has a deep affinity for artists and athletes who shine beyond traditional academics.

Follow along with Dr. Clifton’s journey:

Clifton Corner: www.sensitivestudents.com

Website: www.sandraclifton.com

Let’s Connect:

🤍 Share your biggest takeaway or follow us on Instagram @happyhsppodcast — we’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Subscribe and leave a review to help more HSPs find this space: thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com

📩 Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Kimberly at: [email protected]

📖 Learn about Kimberly’s work: happyhspcoaching.com

About Kimberly:

After 20 years in the publishing industry working for companies like Time Inc., Monster.com, and W. W. Norton, Kimberly Marshall left her corporate work to create a more nurturing career that better suited her as an HSP. After repeatedly struggling with burnout and low confidence in the workplace, she now helps HSPs create careers that bring them lots of purpose, meaning, and joy. With the Happy HSP Podcast, Kimberly hopes to shed more light on the reality of living with high sensitivity and inspire more HSPs to embrace their empathetic, generous, and loving natures.

• Hosted/produced by Kimberly Marshall
• Edited by Fonzie Try Media
• Artwork by Tara Corola