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.