More about Hoarding Disorder Treatment

What is Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding Disorder occurs where a person can’t stop accumulating and has persistent difficulty parting with their stuff. Clutter interferes with the proper use of rooms and causes significant social and personal distress.

For example, if a person can no longer use their living spaces in the usual way, they do not invite visitors into their home and they feel ashamed of their home and their difficulties with discarding possessions.

Hoarding Disorder was recognised for the first time as a discrete disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in 2013.

The Treatment Program

The treatment method combines:

  • elements of motivational interviewing
  • several features of cognitive behavioral therapy
  • skills training.

The treatment focuses on changing three behaviours:

  • excessive acquisition
  • difficulty discarding or letting go of possessions, and…
  • disorganisation and clutter that impairs functioning.

Does the treatment work?

Several outcome studies of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Hoarding Disorder have shown it to be an effective treatment.

Compulsive Hoarding Treatment – See Program Details

Group Treatment Programs

All of Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury Sydney's counselling services offer a professional, supportive and safe environment.

The group treatment program also provides an environment supported by other people with similar experiences.

Participants have an opportunity to learn from others, helping them to stay motivated and committed in their journey towards well being.