About Me
Sara Barrick, MS, LMFT, SEP
As someone who suffered from misophonia and grappled with the endless challenge of navigating triggers for twenty-five years, I remember how unimaginable and impossible the idea of finding freedom from it all seemed. Yet, amidst the struggle, I always had a flicker of hope—a knowing that “life doesn’t have to be this way.”
Well, I’m here to tell you that life without misophonia is possible, truly liberating, and much easier to navigate. More and more individuals are finding freedom from misophonia. I’ve had the privilege of gathering such stories as part of the Misophonia Freedom Project, while also witnessing this transformation firsthand with clients. You can find these stories (including my own) here.
Ever since, I’ve been passionate about helping people uncover and heal the root causes of their misophonia.
My approach to misophonia stems from the following:
Personal experience: I suffered from misophonia for twenty-five years and have been free since 2018.
Professional background: I draw from my education in systems theory, family systems, and the nervous system acquired through my roles and training as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. I also have Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting, and Coherence Therapy training.
Client interactions: Having worked with hundreds of individuals and families who are/were struggling with misophonia, I’ve identified common themes that contribute to their challenges and facilitate their progress toward freedom.
Consultation groups: Participation in several regular consultation groups with other providers who work with misophonia across the country has allowed for sharing insights and recognizing more patterns.
Parental experience: I acquired substantial knowledge about misophonia before my youngest son began showing early signs of it in 2022, which has resulted in him not forming any triggers. It demonstrates the power of proper information and early intervention.
Research and education: Engaging with research articles, attending conferences, and presenting on the topic of misophonia have deepened my understanding and informed my approach, in addition to all I learned from writing Demystifying Misophonia.
Collaborative efforts: I actively connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds who are eager to find solutions. This includes my involvement in the Misophonia Freedom Project initiative, where Kresta Dalrymple, LMFT, Sipora Weissman, LCSW, and I conduct interviews with those who have overcome misophonia. This work has allowed us to identify common themes and clarify what makes a lasting difference in the healing process.
Sara grew up in Iowa and is a graduate of St. Olaf College and the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She owns a private therapy practice, Authentic Living, LLC, in Plymouth, MN, and is the proud parent of two boys, ages 15 and 12.