MCGT Professional Series Speaker Event
Co-Sponsored by Cottonwood Center and the Minnesota Department of Education
Listening to Misophonia: An Introduction
Presenter: Heidi Lack, Ph.D., ATR-B
October 25, 2025
10:00am - 12:00pm
Few, if any, clinicians are trained to recognize, understand, or treat clients with misophonia, since the term only came into being in 2001. Yet, based on the most recent, national and international prevalence research, every clinician has likely, if unknowingly, faced misophonic clients in their practice. Misophones report intense emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactivity and distress, and feel hijacked by ‘triggers’ or ‘activators’ of a sensory nature, most often sounds, which the majority of others do not even notice. Examples include the sounds and movements of people eating, breathing, typing or the repetitive intrusiveness of environmental or mechanical noises.
With decades of experience working and living with misophonic people, and being misophonic herself, Dr. Lack applies her training as a psychologist in Behavioral Medicine from Harvard Medical School, Dept. of Psychiatry (Cambridge Health Alliance), to clinical examples and updates on the latest research to provide this brief introduction to misophonia. Topics covered will include identification/screening, definition, diagnostic criteria, necessary differentiation from co-existing conditions, demographics, theoretical underpinnings, some neurophysiology, and cursory introduction to her Dynamic Interconnected Network (DIN) working model of misophonia, for use in determining client-specific priorities and interventions for misophonia management.
Objectives of this session:
- Learn current definition and diagnostic criteria for misophonia
- Differentiate at least two co-existing conditions
- Recognize idiosyncratic complexity of misophonia
- Identify two adjacent fields for collaboration in assessing and treating misophonia
Heidi Lack, Ph.D., ATR-BC, supports the gifted, 2e, and neurodiverse communities as a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified registered art therapist, with advanced certification in Behavioral Medicine through Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry. She is in clinical and consultation private practice out of Lexington, MA supportive of individuals, parents, and organizations. She runs workshops, is a public speaker, and advocates for those coping with the complexities of giftedness, attention and sensory processing challenges. Dr. Lack is currently writing a book on misophonia. Dr. Lack uses neurologically and empirically informed, strengths-based interventions with her clientele across the lifespan. As a parent of two multi-exceptional young adults, Dr. Lack has personal and professional experience with the challenges inherent to navigating neurodivergent adults and family life. She is a SENG certified community group facilitator (SCG), co-created The Gifted Parenting Journey© on-line workshops with Gail Post, PhD, and supports professionals in the field by facilitating the GHF (Gifted Homeschool Education) weekly professional discussion group. Dr. Lack also advocates for the social and emotional needs of the gifted in her role on the board of directors of MAGE (Massachusetts Association for Gifted Education). Dr. Lack is a multi-media artist, (paint, collage, quilting, photography, labyrinth installations) reflective of her meditative, existential, and transpersonal practices. She is delighted and honored to participate in this MCGT CE program on misophonia.
Date of Presentation:
October 24, 2025
10:00am - 12:00pm Central Time
Continuing Education Credits:
This Presentation has been approved for 2 hours of Continuing Education through the MN Board of Psychology (Log #202503.355) or 2 hours of Continuing Education from the Minnesota Department of Education. CEU documentation will be sent directly to participants.
Format:
This will be a two-hour virtual speaker event, available both live and asynchronous to participants. Continuing education certificates will be available after completion of the learning experience.
Fee:
$60 Individual rate
$40 for MCGT Professional Members and MCGT Sponsors
Not a MCGT Professional member? Join online now!
$20 for Undergraduate or Graduate Students
Questions? Email info@mcgt.net
