Hoarding Services

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Hoarding disorder is a commonly misunderstood mental health disorder whereby individuals have difficulty parting with items that are no longer useful to them.  We all have an attachment to our possessions, however those with hoarding disorder experience this attachment more intensely and more frequently than those without excessive clutter.  Attempting to let go of items causes sufferers significant distress, often creating living spaces that are unliveable or areas where the intended use is significantly compromised  (i.e. cannot prepare food in the kitchen due to excessive clutter on countertops).  Although this experience can often feel hopeless and overwhelming, there is help available.

A diagnosis of HD requires all three of the following:

1. A person collects and keeps a lot of items, even things that appear useless or of little value to most people.
2. These items clutter the living spaces and keep the person from using the rooms as they were intended.
3. These items cause distress or problems in day-to-day activities.

If you believe that you have hoarding tendencies, psychotherapy would aim to assist you by exploring the attachment you have to your items and work toward creating a new relationship with your possessions and living space. Addressing acquiring behaviours and learning to comfortably discard unwanted items are ways in which we can begin to relate to our things differently.  Our therapeutic approach utilizes Cognitive  Behavioural Therapy (CBT), skill building and increasing distress tolerance when parting with possessions.  By looking at your clutter as a symptom of the problem rather than the entirety of it, we can begin to understand all of the parts of you that have led you to having excessive clutter rather than just focusing on the state of your home.  

We are working to create group therapy options for individuals with lived experience and the families of those with hoarding disorder.  Connect with us to place your name on the wait list for these supports.