Three Brazilian Psychologists and a North American Talk About Giftedness

I was invited to have a conversation with Giovanna Strobel and her colleagues in Brazil about our work with gifted clients. We found we have so much in common. Whether you have a rainforest mind in N. America or in Brazil, you may experience similar struggles. Hear all about it here. And thank you to Giovanna, Daphne, and Simone!

To my bloggEEs: Let us know the thoughts, feelings, and questions that came up as you watched. Thank you, as always, for being here! And if you are a therapist or coach who works anywhere in the world with gifted clients, let us know who you are and include your contact information. I am starting a list. There is one here for N. Americans but I don’t know of any international referral lists.


Author: Paula Prober

I’m a psychotherapist and consultant in private practice based in Eugene, Oregon. I specialize in international consulting with gifted adults and parents of gifted children. I’ve been a teacher and an adjunct instructor at the University of Oregon and a frequent guest presenter at Oregon State University and Pacific University. I’ve written articles on giftedness for the Eugene Register-Guard, the Psychotherapy Networker, Advanced Development Journal and online for psychotherapy dot net, Rebelle Society, Thrive, Introvert Dear, and Highly Sensitive Refuge. My first book, Your Rainforest Mind: A Guide to the Well-Being of Gifted Adults and Youth, is a collection of case studies of gifted clients along with many strategies and resources for gifted adults and teens. My second book, Journey Into Your Rainforest Mind: A Field Guide for Gifted Adults and Teens, Book Lovers, Overthinkers, Geeks, Sensitives, Brainiacs, Intuitives, Procrastinators, and Perfectionists is a collection of my most popular blog posts along with writing exercises for self-exploration and insight.

4 responses to “Three Brazilian Psychologists and a North American Talk About Giftedness”

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  1. GoatyGoats Avatar
    GoatyGoats

    It’s such a joy to hear like-minded people discussing the full experience of the gifted mind. Thanks for providing this video. I’d like to share a couple of thoughts that came up for me. One thing I’ve noticed is that while it’s difficult to live with the results of being over-praised, it’s also very difficult to live with the results of not having your differences be acknowledged at all. I’ve recognized this in a lot of people and from my perspective really drives home that feeling of being other and the idea that “there must be something wrong with me.” Knowing giftedness as neurodivergence has really helped me to understand how normal my experience is for the way it’s wired and reduces the emotional response to being different. Another thought that popped up, is how hard it is to find anyone that can fully see you enough to mirror you. When this starts at infancy, it can have a huge impact by way of developmental trauma and influence attachment in a really harmful way.


    1. Paula Prober Avatar
      Paula Prober

      Thank you for these thoughts, GoatyGoats. There could be a whole new conversation around them!


  2. Marina Berts Avatar
    Marina Berts

    Dear Paula, thank you for this excellent video. I’m going to put a link to it on my site. Many chainsaws in Switzerland, too, and exactly the same with the school system – it’s not inclusive but as you said, there are some wonderful teachers. How interesting to see that rainforest minded people meet the same challenges all over the world. And how wonderful to see the faces of four women, nodding and smiling, recognising the situations of RFM people – that is very encouraging! And a big thanks to all counsellors, therapists and psychologists who work with the gifted, talk about giftedness and help us all spot the gifted and accept that it’s ok to be gifted! So keep spreading the news! 🙂


    1. Paula Prober Avatar
      Paula Prober

      So glad you liked it, Marina! I do see similar issues in so many of the people I meet around the world. Thank you for spreading the news as well.

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