Geralin Thomas, Professional Organizing Services in Cary & Raleigh, NC

Over the past few weeks I've shared some insight from a client who struggles with chronic disorganization and Dr. April Benson, who works with compulsive shoppers. This week, I interview an expert who helps young children with hoarding -- Dr. Dia from Hoarders.

What is your name, area of expertise and location where you practice?

David Dia, PhD, LCSW, CCBT

Area of Expertise: Anxiety (Panic, Generalized Anx… Continue

Last week I revealed that one of my favorite things about working with hoarders and the chronically disorganized was hearing their stories. Well, another perk of the job is meeting the experts who study and treat the people afflicted with these various disorders. Recently, I asked questions of some very well-respected experts in their particular fields of study and today’s post is from one of those interviews with Dr. April Benson.

Note that Dr. Benson works with compulsive shoppers not hoarder… Continue

Everyone has a story. Clutter is never about the stuff and for me, hearing someone’s story is the best part of my job. I decided that the next few posts would be from viewpoints other than mine.

Today’s post is from a client who, for the time being, wants to remain anonymous.

She is 44 years old and widowed. She has a college degree in Business Administration and enjoys bird watching, being an environmentalist & activist, volunteering, crafting and watching documentaries.

Here are my ques… Continue

Many of you reading this blog have been calling and emailing asking me about the collaborative processes I’ve mentioned and how I get started working with a hoarder. I can only speak from my own perspective and tell you how this professional organizer begins. It is important to remember that each organizer does things her own way and there is no one-size-fits-all way to go about this.

Below, I’ve posted a few questions that I typically ask during an initial telephone screening and/or ref… Continue

I have a family member who I think might be a hoarder; what do I do?

Since the airing of the A&E Documentary “Hoarding,” this is by far the most common question I have received. Many times hoarders are unable to recognize that there is cause for concern about their behavior. Are you concerned that your spouse, partner or a family member may have a problem with hoarding?

Addressing the Problem of Hoarding

As is the case with many other mental health and psychological problems… Continue