Will McDonald

(Ph.D. (Student))

Expertise

My doctoral studies in Mind-Body Medicine focus on developing an integrative health manual for Highly Sensitive Persons with High Sensation Seeking traits to be used in substance abuse treatment centers. I theorize that many individuals with chronic substance dependency and relapse are HSPs with HSS traits, lacking the appropriate tools and perspectives for sustainable recovery—an insight shaped by my own healing journey.

Conventional treatments are designed for the majority who do not experience HSP’s depth of processing, need for self-care, emotional reactivity, or sensitivity to subtle shifts—factors that can contribute to the cycle of relapse when not adequately harnessed.