FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS IN PHILADELPHIA AND BEYOND
In-person & online therapy for misophonia
You can learn to manage overwhelming sound or visual triggers
Misophonia can take over every aspect of a person’s life.
Here are some common ways it feels to have misophonia - before, during, and after facing triggers:
Constantly being on guard for irritating noises
Feeling anger, disgust, or panic when facing triggers
Losing focus the moment you notice a trigger
Experiencing strong physical reactions to certain sounds or sights
Trying desperately to escape from trigger situations, or white-knuckling through them when you can’t
Feeling ashamed or guilty about reactions that seem out of your control
Missing important parts of your life, like meals with loved ones or time with friends
Struggling to focus at work or school
Feeling emotionally exhausted from managing triggers all day
With the right support, it is possible to feel more in control, even with triggers that feel impossible to manage.
How therapy for misophonia works
In cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for misophonia, we'll explore what is happening in your mind, body, and emotions before and after triggers. You will start to notice patterns that have you stuck, and we’ll work together to develop new habits that can help turn down the volume on your reactions and help you feel more self-confident in managing them.
There are no quick fixes or cures for misophonia, but over time, these insights and new habits can help you feel more at peace with your triggers, and more calm in daily life.
Through therapy for misophonia, you can begin to:
Feel more in control of your focus even when triggers are around
Feel less anxious in high-trigger environments
Experience intense emotions with more confidence
Identify patterns of thinking that keep you stuck in a misophonia cycle
Feel more compassion for yourself and for others who make trigger noises
Understand the psychology behind your sensitivities
Communicate more effectively with loved ones and friends about what you need
Improve your tolerance of sensory and emotional distress
Accept parts of misophonia that are difficult to change
Make choices guided by your goals and values instead of your reactions to triggers
Begin therapy for misophonia today
Frequently asked questions about misophonia
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Yes. While misophonia isn’t an official diagnosis yet, research clearly shows that shows misophonia is as real as many other conditions like anxiety, depression, tinnitus, or OCD, and that it deserves to be recognized as a standalone condition. Multiple proposals are being reviewed for its inclusion in the International Classification of Diseases, the World Health Organization’s system of categorizing diseases and disorders.
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Each person’s experience with misophonia is unique, and there is not one clear cause. Most experts believe it develops from a mix of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that interact.
For example:
Biologically: Brain areas responsible for emotion, sound processing, and thinking seem to communicate differently in people with misophonia
Psychologically: Many people with misophonia find it harder to redirect their attention or calm intense emotions across situations.
Socially: Some situations can make reactions stronger. For example, some people are more bothered by chewing from a loved one compared to a stranger.
Environment: Some people identify living through a stressful or traumatic environment contributes to their sensitivities.
There is no single explanation for misophonia, but through therapy, we’ll work together to figure out what seems to be relevant to your unique experience, and how to begin responding in new ways.
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Yes. Misophonia most often begins during childhood and can touch almost every part of a child’s life, including family life, school, and friendships.
Childhood is an ideal time to seek therapy for misophonia. Early support can help kids build coping skills, reduce distress, and feel more confident navigating trigger situations.
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A great question many people ask. It is true that misophonia involves differences in how the brain processes sound and emotion. It is also true that the brain is almost constantly changing. Every time we learn anything or have a meaningful experience - central goals of therapy - our brains change in small but powerful ways.
An incredible thing about therapy is that it can change how the brain works for people with physical and mental health challenges. For example, studies show measureable brain changes after cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic pain and migraines. It is likely that therapy for misophonia can also help support your brain in responding differently to triggers over time.
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Yes. Parents are always part of the process.
Parents often find themselves navigating the best way to make thoughtful accommodations while also helping their children build the skills to cope in a world that may not always accommodate. We’ll work together to explore the most effective balance for your family.
Because misophonia often shows up most strongly in close relationships, parent involvement is especially important. Together, we’ll explore ways to support your child’s coping at home.