Choosing Services
We recommend considering a multi-disciplinary evaluation and treatment recommendations strategy from audiology, occupational therapy, and psychology. Be cautious when seeking services for yourself or a loved one.
Find Misophonia specialists potentially in your area:
-
Anxiety & Depression Association (ADAA) Directory (select “Misophonia” under “Disorders Treated & Specialty”)
These following websites may be helpful in finding a therapist/counselor/provider that at least is familiar with depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, autism, etc. that can co-occur with Misophonia, in adults, children & adolescents:
Research the provider's practices.
- Some providers list their treatment approaches on their Misophonia Provider listing or on their own websites.
- We suggest a multi-disciplinary, evidence-based approach.
When you call for initial evaluation appointments, consider not asking for an evaluation of misophonia. Instead, consider mentioning you need an evaluation and treatment recommendations for over-responsivity to certain auditory stimuli and that this is a pattern which is highly distressing, and functionally impairing - possibly academically, occupationally, and/or socially. Avoid the medical model labeling (i.e., disease/condition/disorder names) and use words that functionally describe what is truly going on.
Mental Health
- Mental health providers offer many different types of therapies. Ask yours if they are offering treatment that may help specific problems you experience with Misophonia.
- If they say yes, ask them to explain how it should help. They should have rationale that makes sense and does not rely on big, important sounding words that you do not understand. Be critical and curious.
- If you have mental health diagnoses (depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.), we strongly suggest you seek services from licensed healthcare providers who can offer evidence-based practices to help you.
- Mental health providers who can treat both Misophonia and other disorders include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other licensed providers.
- Very few mental health providers identify themselves as experts in Misophonia. You do not need to find an expert, but we suggest finding someone who can create evidence-based treatment plans using strategies to help you cope effectively.
Audiology
- Consider getting evaluations/treatment from an audiologist. This will help to assess and quantify hearing sensitivity and other sound intolerance disorders (tinnitus, hyperacusis), to provide education about hearing processes, and potentially offer sound generator therapies.
- We recommend finding an audiologist that specializes in decreased sound tolerance.
- When you call for initial evaluation appointments, consider not asking for an evaluation of misophonia. Instead, consider mentioning you need “an evaluation and treatment recommendations for over-responsivity to certain auditory stimuli” and that “this is a pattern which is highly distressing, and functionally impairing - possibly academically, occupationally, and/or socially”.
Occupational Therapy
- We suggest asking occupational therapists if they can provide evaluations and treatment recommendations for people with sensory sensitivities in addition to Misophonia. Since occupational therapists are experts in sensory processes, you do not need to find one who is an expert in Misophonia specifically.
If you are interested in reading some of the rapidly growing research regarding Misophonia, we suggest the following:
- Consensus Definition of Misophonia: A Delphi Study outlines the process of an expert committee creating the definition of Misophonia
- Treatment of Misophonia reviews published psychotherapy treatment studies and outlines a multi-disciplinary strategy for treatment
To find and read the Misophonia research:
- Go to Google Scholar and type in "Misophonia treatment"
- This gives you access to all scientific research from all disciplines regarding treatment for Misophonia