Meet the Team
Dr. Ezra Cowan, PsyD
Clinical Director
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Ezra Cowan is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder/clinical director of the Center for OCD and Misophonia. He specializes in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, anxiety, perfectionism, tinnitus, and is recognized globally as a leading expert in the treatment of misophonia. Dr. Cowan frequently supervises, trains, and lectures in his areas of expertise, sharing his knowledge and innovative approaches with clinicians and professionals worldwide.
Known for his informed, compassionate, and grounded therapeutic style, Dr. Cowan adopts a warm, non-judgmental approach to treatment, fostering an environment where clients feel understood and supported. He views all individuals as making sense within the context of their experiences, understanding symptoms as natural responses to being human. This perspective allows him to approach each client with authenticity and empathy.
Dr. Cowan’s therapeutic approach is integrative and tailored to the individual. He incorporates evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) to create focused, personalized interventions. For example, when treating OCD, he employs Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard for OCD treatment, but goes beyond symptom reduction. He addresses the deeper emotional pain and underlying wounds that often drive the disorder, promoting long-term healing and resilience.
As a pioneer in the treatment of misophonia, Dr. Cowan developed a therapeutic approach called EASE, which was published in the Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. While innovative and unique, EASE is grounded in evidence-based principles and offers a clear, effective intervention for this complex and debilitating condition. Dr. Cowan is widely praised for his ability to explain intricate symptoms, such as those associated with misophonia, in simple, accessible terms, empowering clients and clinicians alike.
Dr. Cowan is deeply committed to disseminating his therapeutic approaches to reach those who need them most. He firmly believes that even the most challenging symptoms can be addressed, offering hope and healing to individuals and families. His mission is to help others overcome difficult conditions and live fuller, more meaningful lives.
Dr. Ephrem Wagner, PsyD
Staff Clinician
Dr. Ephrem Wagner is a postdoctoral psychology fellow who works with children, adolescents, and adults, providing outpatient psychotherapy for anxiety, emotional and behavioral dysregulation, misophonia, and family-based concerns. He received both his MSEd and PsyD from Pace University.
Dr. Wagner is known for a calm, attuned, and grounded therapeutic presence. His clinical style is warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental, emphasizing curiosity, emotional safety, and respect. He views symptoms as meaningful responses to lived experiences rather than problems to be eliminated in isolation, and he helps clients and families better understand the patterns that maintain distress while building more flexible and adaptive ways of coping and relating.
His therapeutic approach is integrative and individualized. Dr. Wagner draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic and attachment-based frameworks, tailoring treatment to each client’s developmental stage and presenting concerns. In his work with anxiety, OCD, misophonia, and emotional dysregulation, he incorporates evidence-based skills-based and experiential interventions while also attending to underlying emotional processes, relational dynamics, and family context.
In his clinical work, Dr. Wagner supports individuals and families in strengthening emotional awareness, improving communication, clarifying values, and increasing psychological flexibility. He is deeply committed to helping clients develop insight and resilience, with the goal of fostering meaningful sustainable change and greater connection in their daily lives.
Daphna Ziffer, LP-MHC
Staff Clinician
Daphna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LP-MHC) dedicated to helping each client achieve their personal goals and better understand their unique challenges. She earned her master’s degree from Baruch College’s Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, where she developed a strong foundation in evidence-based therapeutic practices and psychodynamic therapy.
Daphna specializes in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and misophonia. She incorporates a range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), customizing her methods to suit each client’s individual needs. Her work is guided by a person-centered approach, emphasizing empathy, respect, and collaboration.
Melissa Hart
Office Manager
Melissa Hart began her career as an Occupational Therapist, where she gained valuable experience in both educational and healthcare settings. Her background in therapeutic environments has equipped her with a deep understanding of client needs, making her exceptionally skilled at problem-solving.
As the Virtual Office Manager at The Center for OCD & Misophonia, Melissa combines her organizational expertise with a creative, client-centered approach. She is dedicated to providing personalized support to both current and prospective clients, ensuring their unique needs are met with care and efficiency.
Originally from New England, Melissa now resides in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband and enjoys exploring the area.