6 Ways to Help a Loved One with Hoarding Disorder

hoarding disorder

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. What is hoarding disorder? Hoarding disorder (HD) is a mental health disorder where an individual collects a large amount of possessions and experiences difficulty parting with possessions to the point where parting with possessions prompts profound emotional distress. Approximately 2% to 6% of people in the United States have hoarding disorder (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) previously classified hoarding disorder as a subtype of OCD, “however, healthcare providers were encountering people with hoarding behaviors who didn’t have any other mental health conditions. After more research, hoarding disorder was included as an isolated condition, in the OCD spectrum, in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), which is the most recent edition” (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).  Similar to many of us, people with hoarding disorder keep objects due to their sentimentality, aesthetics, and usefulness. These …

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Clinician Spotlight 3: Nathaniel Flatt, LMFT

hoarding disorder

Clinician Spotlight In today’s clinician spotlight we highlight Nathaniel Flatt, LMFT. Nathaniel Flatt is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). We are honored to be working with such an experienced and compassionate therapist. About Nathaniel Flatt, LMFT Nathaniel strives to braid the evidenced-based practices of Western psychotherapy with the wisdom and compassion of Eastern psychology. With an open-hearted, client-centered, and collaborative approach, he meets the client where they are in the treatment process.  Nathaniel supports clients in developing their own inner healing capacity, providing them with resources that they can utilize and integrate into the therapeutic process. This leads clients down the road of psychological and spiritual wellness. Nathaniel Flatt, LMFT, earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. He is also certified by The California Institute of Integral Studies in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He is an integrative …

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Clinician Spotlight 2: Michael Peterson, LCSW

hoarding disorder

Clinician Spotlight In today’s clinician spotlight we highlight Michael Peterson, LCSW. Michael Peterson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). We are honored to be working with such a competent, compassionate therapist. About Michael Peterson, LCSW Michael Peterson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with many years of experience working within world-renowned health care organizations. He was a clinical supervisor in the Department of Psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for almost 20 years. Michael specializes in providing group and individual psychotherapies which teach individuals new skills to more effectively manage their emotions and cope with stressors. Michael completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was the recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health traineeship awarded to prepare clinicians for leadership in the field of mental health. In addition to his clinical work, Michael is active in the mental health community.  …

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Clinician Spotlight 1: Jennifer Bieler, LMFT

hoarding disorder

Clinician Spotlight In today’s clinician spotlight we highlight Jennifer Bieler, LMFT. Jennifer Bieler is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). We are honored to be working with such an experienced and truly caring therapist. About Jennifer Bieler, LMFT Jennifer Bieler is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California (USC) and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Honors from St. Mary’s College of California. She is a retired co-chair at the Women’s Association for Addiction Treatment (WAAT) in Orange County. Jennifer is an LGBTQ+ and trans-affirming therapist. In addition, she is a neurodiversity-affirming therapist. Her specialties include but are not limited to: trauma, addictions, relationships, eating disorders and personality disorders. She is trained in a variety of trauma therapies, including Attachment-Focused (AF) …

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Physician Spotlight 11: Dr. Sarah Mourra

hoarding disorder

Physician Spotlight In today’s physician spotlight we highlight Sarah Mourra, MD. Dr. Sarah Mourra is double-board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Adult Psychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry. About Dr. Sarah Mourra  Dr. Sarah Mourra completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. She then pursued her Medical Doctorate degree at the University of California, Irvine.  She obtained residency training at Yale University where she served as Chief Resident. She completed fellowship training in Geriatric Psychiatry at UCLA, where she also received training in ECT and was selected as a Bureau of Health Professions Fellow in geriatric psychiatry. She is currently a Health Sciences Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Mourra has an interest in integrating psychotherapy and medication to assist patients in their recovery, and …

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