Empath Info

I have finally realized that my empathy for others is considered a gift. I work with people that have been victimized. Im a crime victim advocate. As a child, and for many of my adult years I was victimized. I always knew when I looked at someone, I could "sense" their emotions. I just figured I was really good at recognizing what I was familiar with. There has always been signs, but I blew them off because I thought I was a bit crazy. It's taken me a long time to accept it for what it is. I can honestly say that I have a very good success rate working with victims. I always knew there was a reason for everything, and now I am wanting to embrace it.

I have heard that it can be hard sometimes to close out others emotions. I was told that if you carry a penny with you it helps you to keep off the negative emotions, however, I have tried this and it seems to help greatly in not letting others emotions overcome me. Has anyone else ever heard the same about carrying a penny?