Online in Oakland & Across CA
Sound Sensitivity & Misophonia Therapy
You’re not alone in feeling like your world keeps getting smaller.
Does this sound familiar?
You’ve always been thoughtful, considerate—the one who adapts, who makes things work, who doesn’t make a fuss. But lately, your reactions feel louder than your ability to manage them.
You find yourself bracing for everyday sounds—chewing, tapping, breathing—even in places that are supposed to feel safe
You feel a surge of irritation, panic, or anger that seems out of proportion—but you can’t stop it
You go out of your way to avoid situations, people, or environments where you might be triggered
You feel trapped between needing relief and not wanting to hurt or distance yourself from others
You’re exhausted from constantly scanning your environment, trying to stay one step ahead of the next sound
You keep asking yourself: “Why does this affect me so much… and why can’t I just ignore it?”
For people with misophonia, the intensity you feel doesn’t just come from sensitivity or overreaction. It’s patterned. It’s physiological. It’s something your system learned over time.
You’ve worked hard to manage it—avoid, adapt, push through—but it can still feel like your environment isn’t built for you.
Why Logic and Control Aren’t Enough
Many people with misophonia are thoughtful, self-aware, and highly capable. You may understand exactly why a sound shouldn’t bother you — and still feel your body react as if something is wrong.
That’s because misophonia doesn’t begin in the thinking parts of the brain. It starts in fast, automatic nervous-system pathways that respond before logic has a chance to intervene. Telling yourself to calm down, reminding yourself that a loved one isn’t doing anything wrong, or trying to power through rarely settles the reaction — and often adds shame on top of the activation.
Some people are prescribed medication for anxiety or mood, and while this can be supportive for some, it doesn’t necessarily change the specific sensory threat response that misophonia involves. Others try to manage the problem by exerting more control — stricter routines, more avoidance, more self-monitoring — which can temporarily reduce exposure but often increases tension and isolation over time.
What’s missing in these approaches is support for the nervous system itself.
When sound sensitivity is understood as a learned physiological response, the focus shifts from “How do I stop reacting?” to “How does my system learn safety again?” That learning doesn’t happen through force or reasoning — it happens through paced, relational work that allows the body to experience activation without being overwhelmed or needing to escape.
This is where somatic, nervous-system–based therapy becomes relevant — not as a quick fix, but as a way to gradually change how your body responds, so sound no longer dominates your inner and relational life. This kind of relearning happens most effectively in a relational, paced therapeutic space.
How I Can Help
As a licensed clinical psychologist, I approach misophonia as a learned nervous-system pattern rather than a behavioral problem to override. The goal isn’t to make sounds disappear or to train yourself to tolerate more than you can handle — it’s to help your nervous system change how it responds over time.
We begin by slowing things down. Rather than working directly with the most distressing sounds, we focus on building capacity: noticing activation early, tracking sensations in the body, and learning how your system moves toward settling when it feels supported. This creates the conditions for change without overwhelming your nervous system or your relationships.
Sessions are collaborative and carefully paced. We may move between conversation, body-based awareness, and moments of focused attention, always guided by what your system can integrate. There is no pushing, flooding, or expectation that you “get over it.” Instead, we work with the reality of how your body responds — and allow new responses to emerge gradually.
Over time, many people notice that sounds feel less intrusive, less urgent, or easier to recover from — not because they’ve forced calm, but because their nervous system has learned that it doesn’t need to stay in alarm. Relationships often feel less strained as reactivity softens and avoidance loosens.
This work is not about a cure or a quick fix. It’s about creating a different relationship with activation — one that gives you more choice, more space, and more steadiness in your daily life.
Who This Work Is For
This approach may be a good fit if:
Sound sensitivity has begun to affect your relationships, routines, or sense of ease at home or work
You notice strong bodily reactions — anger, panic, urgency, or disgust — that feel out of proportion to the situation but very real in your body
You’ve tried coping strategies, medication, or reasoning your way through reactions, with limited or short-term relief
You want support that works with your nervous system, not against it
You value a thoughtful, paced approach rather than quick fixes or intensity-based interventions
This work often resonates with people who are high-functioning, self-aware, and used to managing discomfort — especially when that management has started to cost too much.
When This May Not Be the Right Fit
This approach may not be the best fit if you’re looking for:
A rapid cure or guarantee that sound sensitivity will disappear
A strictly exposure-based program without attention to pacing or nervous-system readiness
A highly structured, skills-only model with fixed timelines
Treatment that prioritizes symptom suppression over relational and physiological safety
My work is intentional and attuned. We move at a pace designed to support long-term change, not urgency. During a consultation, we can explore together whether this approach aligns with what you’re hoping for.
A Gentle Next Step
Sound sensitivity can be isolating — especially when it affects the people and spaces you care about most. If misophonia has started to shape your daily life, your relationships, or your sense of safety, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
A consultation is a chance to talk about what you’re experiencing, ask questions, and get a feel for whether this approach is the right fit. There’s no expectation to decide anything on the call — just an opportunity to explore what support could look like.
If this resonates, you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to take the next step at a pace that feels right for you.
This free 15-minute phone call is a gentle way to explore fit — no commitment, just space to ask questions and see what support feels right.