New resources will be added to this page , many of which provided by or inspired by the MHASF Mini Hoarding Conference. If you have a resource you think fits here or are looking for something particular you think is missing from this page contact Blue here.
The majority of these resources were provided at the Redefining Crazy Conference and the MHASF Virtual Mini-Conference on Hoarding Behavior and therefore are focused on San Francisco, California but as many non-location specific resources as possible will be added here.
- San Francisco and California specific Resources
- How to find resources in your area
- Online, National and International Resources
- Tidbits shared by attendees in the chat during Redefining Crazy 2023 conference:
San Francisco and California specific Resources
PEERS (Must be in the SF East Bay) — Hosts a Buried in Treasures Support Group
Unburied from Treasures Group: This is a FREE, on-going support group for graduates of previous Buried in Treasures or other intensive groups. Contact MHASF for more info at mhasfwellness@gmail.com
How to find resources in your area
Search tips on how to find help in areas beyond San Franscisco and California will be added here soon.
Online, National and International Resources
Under-Earners Anonymous — A 12-step recovery program for underearners and people with excess possessions that is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. There are face-to-face, telephone meetings & Zoom meetings. The phone meetings are free, but zone charges may apply.
IOCDF Hoarding is one starting point for finding resources regardless of location. They have a support group page.
Clutterers Anonymous (CLA) A 12-step recovery program for clutterers that is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. There are face-to-face, telephone, & Zoom meetings. The phone meetings are free, but zone charges may apply. For more info call 866-402-6685
OCD Action in London has Hoarding Support group on Thursdays.
Debtors Anonymous A 12-step recovery program for under-earners or over-spenders and is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. Face-to-face and real time phone meetings. They follow a peer-to-peer model and are funded by voluntary contributions only. There are a few clutter focused meetings.
Clutter-Free Organizing Services Professional coaching via phone or Skype. There are also recorded Podcasts. Resource list on website with info on how to donate or dispose of practically anything.
Hoarding/Cluttering Support Group on Facebook
Rodriquez Lab at Stanford University – 650-497-2577 Contact clutterhelp@stanford.edu Does research studies on Hoarding Disorder
In Order to Organize (Professional Organizer) Does a modified Zoom Buried in Treasures Class Approx. $50 per hour for group sessions at time of publishing.
Mutual Support Consulting, LLC (Peer-led) They host a Zoom Buried in Treasures class. $8.00 per hour at time of publishing. Enrollment is open to anyone.
Steri Clean Inc. Hoarding Cleanup 800-462-7337 Offers 2 anonymous on-line hoarding support groups – Sundays 5:00pm and Tuesdays 6:00 pm Pacific Standard Time. Sunday meeting is a combination of specialists and peers and Tues. meeting is peer run.
Clutter-Free Organizing Services Professional coaching via phone or Skype. There are also recorded Podcasts. Resource list on website with info on how to donate or dispose of practically anything.
Messies Anonymous Various online groups through Yahoo. They charge money unlike regular 12-Step Groups.
Stepping Out of Squalor On-line forum support groups
Clutterbugme organizing blog and resources.
A Slob Comes Clean This is a safe place to know you are not alone in your housekeeping struggles, to gain hope that you, too, can change, and to learn from someone who understands what it is like to feel completely overwhelmed in her home.
Cut the Clutter Worksheet from the Procrastination Coach.
Hoarding/Cluttering Support Group on Facebook
The ICD® Clutter–Hoarding Scale
National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals
Hoarding Cleanup , (800) 462-7337, provides a nationwide directory of (fee-for-service) hoarding cleanup services and mental health providers specializing in hoarding behavior. Visit their website for information about webinars, and other resources.
The Institute for Challenging Disorganization® consists of professional organizers, productivity specialists, and other professionals who offer training and organizational resources influenced by research from the medical, educational, and neuroscience communities.
Non-Acquiring Help Card for Shoppers – Space For YouSpace For You
Hoarding Disorder: Help for Hoarders – HelpGuide.org
Introducing Speed of Life Decluttering Coaches! – Dana K. White
Hoarding Support – Rebecca Mezzino Declutter Coach
Virtual Community — Your Declutter Coach
Information for Professional Organizers – Hoarding
Tidbits shared by attendees in the chat during Redefining Crazy 2023 conference:
- We call these 5 minute bursts “lightning rounds,” just to see what you can accomplish in 5 minutes. Some call it focused action.
- Please go to a stack of items and sort the items into three categories: 1. Very Important to keep 2. Moderately Important to Keep 3. Not important at all to keep. Notice your thoughts and emotions as you are sorting.
- Knowing that someone is doing that with me (even though we’re not in the same room) is really comforting
- None of us do this because we’re stupid. We’re not. We have a brain disorder. Not our fault.
- Choices are minor; decisions are major and life-changing. It may seem like each object requires a life-changing decision, yet if we can see them as minor, not-so-significant choices, it gets easier to make those choices.
- I would love to have a meeting of hoarding peers from all over, so that we can get to know each other and share all that we have to offer – experience, tools, skills, wisdom, knowledge, etc.
- Reading a book before bed is one way to finally start reading all those books you own. If you find that you don’t want to read them after all, then do you really need to hold onto them?
- Most of the time, we didn’t buy/acquire our objects to actually use or read or wear them; we bought them to comfort ourselves in the moment or indulge a fantasy. If this is the case, then they have served their purpose and do you really need to keep them out of guilt? Forgive yourself and move on.
- It’s actually better to NOT hold each object, because things suddenly seem important again when we touch them, so if possible, have someone else hold it up while you make a choice without touching it.
- I recommend two other books before I recommend any books which teach organizing: Making Peace with the Things in Your Life by Cindy Glovinsky and It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys by Marilyn Paul
- Dr. Tompkins has written 14 books. One book is Digging Out. It is a great book
- Some of the questions are things like, “When was the last time I used this?”, or “Do I want this just because I am looking at it now?” “Is this a need or a want?” “How many similar items of this do I already have?”
- This is the title of the doctor’s book that was mentioned Hoarding Disorder: A Comprehensive Clinical Guide by Carolyn I. Rodriguez and Randy O. Frost
- Collecting doesn’t have to lead to hoarding, but it can be a justification for the behaviors: I’ve worked with collectors whose collections caused ICD Clutter-Hoarding Scale level 4 situations in their homes.
- Anosognosia: A neurological condition where a person is unable to perceive, or is unaware of his or her own illness. For more info you can find videos and books but her is the website https://hacenter.org/home
- Anosognosia is often used to express the frustration of providers whose advise is ignored by their patients/clients. It is often not ignored because of lack of awareness but due to fundamental disagreements and differences.
- The “Anosognosia” Label is Psychiatric Gaslighting Masquerading as Science – Rooted in Rights
- How would I spend my days if clutter was no longer a problem? What would I love to do instead of thinking about/dealing with my clutter?
- 49% of people with HD have a history of trauma. There are studies going on regarding Attachment Disorder. Many folks with HD were not able to (for whatever reason) attach to the adults who were responsible for caring for us. For some of us, our parents weren’t safe
- As a Professional Organizer, I find insight into hoarding disorder with my clients (not as a clinician, I’m not!) is highly related to their safety. When they don’t have insight, tey are often far less safe
- ❤️ This is the info to the art exhibit constructed from a child with a parent with HD that Dr. Carolyn Rodrigues mention during the segment. https://www.designboom.com/art/song-dong-waste-not-exhibition-at-moma-ny #HD #CD #mentalhealthawareness
- Clutterers Anonymous (CLA) is 12-step program that models itself after Alcoholics Anonymous. They have free support for anyone in the world. But this is only for the person who has the hoarding issue.
- “Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.”
- Children of Hoarders
- ACA & Dysfunctional Families WEBSITE FOR INFO Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families
- Here is a link to our official ACA Women and Clutter Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/609977506317485
- Here is a link to Hoarding Disorder and Buried in Treasures Support Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2173610616110515
- https://btofh.org/services has free zoom support group “Open to: Those struggling with hoarding difficulties, as well as caregivers, family members, and significant others. Participants are also welcome from outside of Texas.”
- Northwest Relationships in Tacoma WA has a family support group for hoarding that meets online on the first and third Thursday of each month at 11 am. Contact: info@northwestrelationships.com
- California residents can call the California warmline up to 3 times a day. I see no reason why callers could not choose to use 2 of those calls for book ending. The Peer-Run Warm Line is a non-emergency resource for anyone in California seeking mental and emotional support. We provide assistance via phone and web chat to anyone in need. You can find out more about the warmline here: https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/peer-run-warmline/
- For more about Preston Michum’s book and other work, his website has a lot to explore: https://www.prestonmitchum.com/
- Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom Book by Derecka Purnell https://www.derecka.com/
- collecting behaviors (hoarding disorder) MHASF info page.
- Here is a list of all of MHASF’s support groups: https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/support-groups/
- All of Susie’s family groups are open on Zoom for anyone in the state of CA. You can contact Susie at Susie@mentalhealthsf.org
- contact info is Elizabeth@mentalhealthsf.org. you can also contact Elizabeth for specific questions regarding the family groups. Unfortunately, only CA residents can attend our Zoom Support groups except this conference
- How can peer support assist an unmet need as it relates to clutter and hoarding? Peer support can reduce shame. Reducing shame can open up a lot of life.
- There are two basic fears – the fear of death and the fear of being judged negatively by others.
- Hoarding Disorder is like an iceberg: the clutter is the 10% that is visible above the surface, so others can see it and judge us for it. The other 90% is happening under the surface where it can’t be seen, by outsiders or even by the person with HD, much of the time. HD is particularly difficult to conquer because it requires both inner and outer work. Even if we’re stuck on the outer work (decluttering), then we need to acknowledge ourselves for the INNER WORK that we are doing and which never really stops once we begin.
- The paring down (decision -making) part is most challenging!
- Hoarding Disorder and Buried in Treasures Support Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2173610616110515
- Open space is a gap in our armor, our shield against the fear of the outside world.
- Dr. Caroline Rodriguez’s lab also has some resources: https://med.stanford.edu/rodriguezlab/resources/hd-resources.html
- Here is an overview #YouTube on TM. TO LEARN ABOUT THE TM®️ TECHNIQUE (Transcendental Meditation®️ ) https://www.tm.org/ There are books/audio books and medical journals from the Library as well. F
- The Hoarding Handbook is a FANTASTIC resource.
- Beyond Hoarding is a fabulous documentary
- Please consider participating in the San Francisco Task Force on Hoarding Disorder. For more info on this service, please contact peersupportservicestracking@mentalhealthsf.org. They are especially interested in speaking with professionals who have contact with individuals who are experiencing hoarding challenges.
- Professional Organizers are starting to try to figure out how we can break funding barriers – for example, getting reimbursed by insurance agencies as providers. Costs for this are such a horrible barrier.
- Perhaps having an ABLE (Achieve a Better Life Experience) account would help for those who qualify – a way to save money that can be used for things a disabled person needs – note that currently the person’s disability HAS to have started prior to age 26 to qualify – ablenrc.org
- Leslie Hatch Gail: dissertation looking at community responses to hoarding. https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1729&context=diss Factors Influencing Community Responses To Hoarding: Evaluating Operational Culture Of Hoarding Task Forces, Stigma, and Successful Outcomes
- Hoarding Disorder is covered and protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Federal protection!
- Lee and Becca co-facilitate Buried in Treasures Groups on Zoom. These are open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Please look into Mutual Support LLC for more info. You can contact them and get on the wait list for a future class https://www.mutual-support.com/
- Here is the link to the definition of HD in the DSM V. Table 3.29, DSM-5 Hoarding Disorder – Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- Anxiety disengages neurons in the prefrontal cortex linked to decision-making. How Does Anxiety Short Circuit the Decision-Making Process? | Psychology Today
- the holding on to “difficult” things makes a certain sort of sense to me. pain, loss imprints most deeply, &so do difficult things make the past most visceral, most immediate ? you know, sadness isn’t always a negative. the japanese have a term “mono no aware” that translates to “the pathos of things” or “an empathy towards things”- kind of tied to an awareness of the transience of things, of life, to a Buddhist view of reality,
- https://copelandcenter.com/ for Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) info and more
- The Wildflower Alliance (former Western Mass Recovery Community) also does WRAP training also and more
- MHASF supports a group called Unburied from Treasures. This is a group of graduates of previous BIT groups. Anyone from the world can join provided they have graduated from BIT. They review BIT and do bookending Action Parties to support one another while they are decluttering. Please contact Elizabeth@mentalhealthsf.org and I’ll send you a flyer on this service.
- The cost of taking a BIT class varies depending on the organization that is offering it. MHASF offers a FREE BIT group for SF Residents only. PEERS offers a FREE Group to maybe Oakland CA residents. However, it might also be County wide. The Rodriguez Lab at Stanford Univ. offers a free class. I have seen other BIT classes range in price from $250 to $1600. I have a resource list available with some of the classes that I am aware of. Elizabeth@mentalhealthsf.org
- Please reach out to Kozi and Zakiya. They do a FREE BIT class. They are located in Oakland CA. I’m not sure of the residency requirements for the class. I think it might be city or county based. Zakiya can be reached at zjohnson@peersnet.org. I believe Zakiya is the administrative contact person
- MHASF hosts a support group for the Family and Friends of people who have Hoarding Issues. We have 3 sessions a) One for the Adult Children of people with hoarding issues b) Another session for anyone else who has a relationship with someone with Hoarding Issues c) a combined session where both the Adult Children and everyone else come together. Please contact peersupportservicestracking@mhasf.org
- Mutual Support LLC also hosts groups for the family and friends of people with Hoarding Disorder
- There are emotional and physical triggers as a helper/family member.
- Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding by David F. Tolin | Goodreads Book info for Buried In Treasures book.
- These are very helpful books for loved ones and anyone else who wants to understand and help Fugen Nozeroglu Children of Hoarders, Ceci Garrett How to Decide If You Should Help, Digging Out by Michael Tompkins and The Hoarding Handbook Christiana Bratiotis
- Children and adults with Executive Function Disorder have problems organizing materials and setting schedules. They misplace papers, reports, and other school materials. They might have similar problems keeping track of their personal items or keeping their bedroom organized. No matter how hard they try, they fall short. Executive Dysfunction & Learning Disabilities in Kids with ADHD
- Institute for Challenging Disorganization www.challengingdisorganization.org and Natl Assn Productivity and Organizing Professionals are resources too
- Additude Magazine resource about Executive Function / ADD – here’s the link if this is helpful for anyone else – also lots of Attention Deficit support groups available at add.org (Attention Deficit Disorder Group – small monthly fee – however add.org/gift will provide 2 months free to check it out.
- https://casualuncluttering.com/
- Frost & Steketee (2010). Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things. NY: Houghton/Miflin/Harcourt.
- Clutter Support Coordinator Seattle Housing Authority Ashley.kraft@seattlehousing.org Northwest Hoarding Coalition – We are a multi-disciplinary collective in Western Washington aimed at promoting a compassionate and research-based understanding of Hoarding Disorder. We meet the Third Wed of each month from 3-5pm Northwest Hoarding Coalition (fulllifecare.org)
- I’d love to connect with other peers in other areas. We need resources and referrals from all over. Please send us info on your other support groups, so we can create a list so we can refer people in other areas. I’m interested in starting a hoarding support group for men. It is only an idea, at this point, but please contact me if you are a man with hoarding behaviors and are interested in having input into this group’s creation. My email is varian@mentalhealthsf.org
- Clutter Buddy Trifold Flyer .v.6.pdf
- Workbook by Randy O Frost a participant found very informative and helpful: Treatment for Hoarding Disorder: Workbook (Treatments That Work): 9780199334940
- A Bedder World Mattress Recycling to help release extra beds.
- Hoarding Disorders Assistance from MHANJ
- Redefining Crazy Conference 2022 Recordings and Slides
Blue Peer Support Resources 