This course introduces mental health professionals to CBT-MISO, an adapted cognitive behavioral therapy approach developed specifically for working with individuals experiencing misophonia.
CBT-MISO incorporates established cognitive behavioral principles while recognizing that the initial physiological response to misophonia triggers is not necessarily under conscious cognitive control.
Rather than attempting to eliminate the initial trigger response, the approach focuses on helping clients understand and manage the emotional and cognitive aftermath of misophonia, develop individualized coping strategies, and improve daily functioning.
The program integrates cognitive strategies, sensory regulation, assistive devices, communication, and environmental accommodations. CBT-MISO does not incorporate exposure therapy.
Upon successful completion, participants will be able to:
Assess and explain misophonia: Identify the purposes and clinical applications of the Duke Misophonia Questionnaire and Duke Misophonia Interview; explain misophonia’s potential effects on daily functioning; and recognize the limitations of current treatment evidence, including distinctions between CBT-MISO and other CBT approaches studied for misophonia.
Apply individualized cognitive strategies: Assist clients in identifying goals, values, and beliefs; differentiate the initial trigger response from subsequent automatic thoughts, emotional reactions, and cognitive patterns; and apply CBT-MISO worksheets and cognitive strategies to explore experiences following triggers.
Evaluate coping tools and accommodations: Evaluate coping strategies and assistive devices according to clients’ preferences and needs; describe physiological coping tools and circumstances in which they may be helpful or unhelpful; and assist clients in identifying environmental accommodations.
Develop and review individualized coping plans: Assist clients in planning for triggering situations, reviewing coping strategies, recognizing progress, and adjusting goals and plans over time.
This course is intended for counselors, psychotherapists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and other mental health professionals interested in supporting individuals with misophonia.
Familiarity with foundational counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy principles is recommended.
Shaylynn Hayes-Raymond, MA, is a Licensed Counselling Therapist – Candidate (LCT-C), author, and misophonia advocate. She developed the CBT-MISO approach to adapt cognitive behavioral strategies to the experiences and needs of individuals with misophonia.
Her professional work includes counseling psychotherapy, misophonia education, research advocacy, and the development of resources for clinicians and individuals affected by sensory dysregulation.
CBT-MISO is an adapted clinical approach that has not yet been independently established as an effective treatment through randomized clinical trials. Research into misophonia interventions remains developing.
This course provides professional education and does not independently qualify participants to practice psychotherapy or expand their existing professional scope of competence.
Disclosure: The instructor developed CBT-MISO and wrote the book and workbook included with this course.
Online, self-paced home study · Ten instructional units · $150 · 12 months access.
Instructor: Shaylynn Hayes-Raymond, MA, LCT-C.
