Stephen Geller Katz LCSW-R
Misophonia Cognitive Retraining Therapy
Misophonia Cognitive Retraining Therapy, as featured on the MTV True Life episode: “I Have Misophonia” premiering Friday, December 16th, 7:00 PM EST. See Clip >
Are you Suffering from any of these symptoms as a result of Misophonia? Call today for a Consultation.
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You may also be affected by visual stimuli, such as repetitive foot or body movements, fidgeting or movement you observe out of the corners of their eyes. Intense anxiety, rage and avoidant behavior may develop as a result of misophonia.
* Do you feel your family and friends don’t understand how much you suffer?
* Do you often feel you can just suffer through a social event where there is eating present only to find that you must “escape” before you have a panic attack?
* Do you find that some people are at first understanding and make some efforts not to make the triggering sounds in front of you, but soon forget and constantly have to be reminded, causing you to feel angry, anxious and depressed?
* Are you avoiding social activities that you enjoy because of the misophonia?
* Are you fearful of losing your job and/or is the misophonia effecting your job performance?
If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions or symptoms, then we can help.
You may be a candidate for Misophonia Cognitive Retraining Therapy, or MCRT.
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, with over 20 years of clinical experience, a New York University graduate, developed Misophonia Cognitive Retraining Therapy and founded Misophonia Cognitive Center™ in response to the growing number of people with Misophonia coming to his private practice from audiologists and ENTs. He discovered that by helping people to retrain and reinterpret the thoughts around their Misophonia, anxiety and depression symptoms began to improve. But even more important so did the Misophonic trigger response.
Call us at 646-585-2251 for a consultation.
Category Archives: Support
How to Support a Loved One with Misophonia
Knowing how to support a loved one with misophonia can make a profound difference in their quality of life. Misophonia is a neurological condition where specific everyday sounds—like chewing, sniffing, or pen clicking—trigger intense emotional reactions such as anger, panic, or disgust. While it may seem confusing or exaggerated to those unfamiliar with it, misophonia is a very real and distressing condition for those who experience it.
This blog offers actionable, compassionate guidance for friends, family members, and partners who want to help someone living with misophonia feel understood, respected, and supported.
Understanding Misophonia is the First Step
The key to providing meaningful support starts with learning about misophonia. While it’s not yet widely recognized in mainstream mental health classifications, misophonia has been studied and validated by medical professionals as a genuine and often debilitating condition.
- Triggers are typically human-made sounds like chewing, tapping, or breathing.
- Reactions can include rage, anxiety, panic, or even nausea.
- It is not a choice or overreaction—the response is neurological and often involuntary.
By educating yourself about the condition, you demonstrate empathy and validation, which can significantly reduce your loved one’s sense of isolation.
Do’s and Don’ts When Supporting Someone with Misophonia
Do:
- Ask them about their triggers: Each person’s misophonia is different. Understanding which sounds affect them most allows you to be more considerate.
- Accommodate when possible: If you know a certain sound is a trigger (like gum chewing), try to avoid making it around them.
- Be patient: Triggers can cause strong reactions. Patience and calmness go a long way in helping your loved one feel safe.
- Encourage professional help: Offer support in finding a misophonia specialist or therapist to help them manage symptoms.
- Use supportive language: Let them know you’re there for them and that you take their experience seriously.
Don’t:
- Minimize their experience: Avoid saying things like “It’s not that bad” or “Just ignore it.” This invalidates their feelings and can increase emotional distress.
- Get defensive: If they ask you to stop a triggering behavior, try not to take it personally. It’s about the sound—not about you.
- Force exposure: Avoid intentionally making trigger sounds to “desensitize” them. This can worsen the condition and damage trust.
Create a Misophonia-Friendly Environment
Small changes to your shared environment can make a big difference in reducing stress for your loved one.
- Use soft surfaces: Carpets, curtains, and cushions help absorb sound and reduce echo.
- Implement background noise: White noise machines or soft music can help mask triggering sounds.
- Offer safe spaces: Designate areas where your loved one can go to find calm if they’re overwhelmed.
Support Goes Beyond Sound
Supporting someone with misophonia also means understanding its emotional and social effects. They may feel embarrassed or anxious about eating with others, going to the movies, or attending meetings. Be open to adjusting your shared activities or routines to accommodate their needs.
- Offer to eat meals in quieter settings or allow them to wear headphones.
- Help them prepare for social events where triggers might be present.
- Let them know it’s okay to step away if they feel overwhelmed.
Encourage Treatment and Self-Care
While there is no single cure for misophonia, several treatments—like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Misophonia Cognitive Retraining Therapy (MCRT)—have shown promising results. Encourage your loved one to explore these options without pressuring them.
You can also support their self-care efforts:
- Encourage relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.
- Promote healthy habits such as sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
- Help them track triggers and emotional patterns if they’re interested.
Help is Available from the Misophonia Cognitive Center™
If your loved one is ready to seek professional support, Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW, offers personalized misophonia treatment through the Misophonia Cognitive Center™. Dr. Katz provides online sessions accessible from anywhere and speaks five languages, making therapy comfortable and inclusive for a wide range of clients.
You can make a difference by guiding your loved one toward resources and solutions that work for them—while remaining patient, informed, and compassionate.
Contact Information
MISOPHONIA COGNITIVE CENTER™
Stephen Geller Katz LCSW
19 West 34th Street
Penthouse Floor
New York, NY 10001
646-585-2251
How to Support a Loved One with Misophonia
Supporting a loved one with misophonia can be challenging, but understanding the condition and implementing effective strategies can make a significant difference. Misophonia, characterized by strong emotional reactions to specific sounds, can cause significant distress. Here are some practical ways to support someone dealing with misophonia.
Ways to Support a Loved One with Misophonia
Educate Yourself About Misophonia
Understanding misophonia is the first step in providing effective support. Misophonia involves adverse reactions to everyday sounds like chewing, tapping, or breathing. These sounds can trigger intense emotional responses such as anger, anxiety, or the urge to escape the situation. By learning about the condition, you can better empathize with your loved one’s experiences and challenges.
Communicate Openly
Open communication is crucial for supporting someone with misophonia. Encourage your loved one to share their experiences and triggers with you. Listen actively and validate their feelings without judgment. Understanding their specific triggers can help you avoid making those sounds and reduce their distress.
Modify the Environment
Making changes to the environment can significantly reduce misophonia triggers. Here are some practical steps:
- Create Quiet Zones: Establish quiet areas in your home where your loved one can retreat if they feel overwhelmed by trigger sounds. This could be a room with soundproofing or a space equipped with white noise machines.
- Use Noise-Canceling Devices: Encourage the use of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to block out trigger sounds, especially in noisy environments.
- Adjust Daily Routines: Modify daily routines to minimize exposure to trigger sounds. For example, if chewing sounds are a trigger, you could eat meals separately or play background music during meals to mask the sounds.
Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Helping your loved one develop healthy coping mechanisms can improve their ability to manage misophonia. Some effective strategies include:
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Encourage practices such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation to help reduce stress and manage emotional reactions to triggers.
- Engagement in Hobbies: Engaging in hobbies and activities that they enjoy can provide a distraction from trigger sounds and reduce overall stress.
- Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and improve overall mental health, making it easier to cope with misophonia triggers.
Seek Professional Help
Professional help can provide additional support and effective treatment strategies. Various therapeutic approaches have shown promise in managing misophonia:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help individuals change negative thought patterns and develop healthier responses to trigger sounds. This therapy focuses on identifying triggers, reframing negative thoughts, and practicing relaxation techniques.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): MBSR combines mindfulness meditation and yoga to help individuals develop greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions. This practice can reduce the intensity of emotional reactions to misophonia triggers.
- Sound Therapy: Sound therapy involves gradual exposure to trigger sounds in a controlled environment to help desensitize individuals over time. Techniques such as white noise, nature sounds, and binaural beats can mask trigger sounds and create a calming auditory environment.
For more information on CBT, visit the American Psychological Association. Learn about MBSR from the Center for Mindfulness. Explore sound therapy techniques on the Misophonia Institute.
Practice Patience and Empathy
Living with misophonia can be incredibly frustrating and isolating. Patience and empathy are essential in providing ongoing support. Recognize that misophonia is a real and challenging condition, and offer your love and understanding. Small gestures of kindness and support can make a significant difference in your loved one’s ability to cope.
How to Support a Loved One with Misophonia: Conclusion
Supporting a loved one with misophonia involves understanding the condition, communicating openly, modifying the environment, encouraging healthy coping mechanisms, seeking professional help, and practicing patience and empathy. By implementing these strategies, you can help your loved one manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Dr. Stephen Katz at the Misophonia Cognitive Center™ offers specialized online treatment services to help individuals and their families navigate the challenges of misophonia.
Call today for an expert consultation.
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW
646-598-2251
• Convenient online sessions
• Dr. Katz is multi-lingual