Making sense of the senses: Transdiagnostic techniques for sensory sensitivity (Workshop for clinicians at BABCP conference, Manchester, UK)

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There is wide variation in responsivity to sensory cues in the population. Sensory sensitivity is proposed to be a vulnerability factor in anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders, a key feature in some neurodevelopmental conditions, and a defining feature of sensory processing disorder and misophonia.

This workshop will introduce a simple model for understanding the potential cognitive and behavioural mechanisms involved in the distress and impairment caused by sensory sensitivity. Many existing transdiagnostic strategies can be used to target these mechanisms, and the model can be integrated into broader formulations for individual clients.

The role of coping behaviour in sensory sensitivity is complex and idiosyncratic. Many strategies that help individuals to participate more in life and connect better with others, can serve as safety-seeking behaviours in others. We will use functional analysis and behavioural experiments to test theories about the intended purpose and unintended consequences of coping strategies.

We will examine the role of associative learning in sensory processing, using the example of misophonia, characterised by an intense emotional or behavioural reaction to certain everyday sounds. We will test out a range of interventions based on inhibitory learning principles, experimenting with creating new associations with sounds.

Key Learning Objectives:

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Create a simple CBT model of distress and impairment in sensory sensitivity

  • Adapt existing transdiagnostic skills to target potential maintenance factors

  • Complete a functional analysis of coping strategies in sensory sensitivity

  • Design behavioural experiments to test and compare theories about coping strategies

  • Deliver an experiment using inhibitory learning principals, intended to create new associations with sounds

  • Consider modifications to treatment for children, young people and neurodivergent individuals