Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring
by Paul Lohkamp
by Paul Lohkamp
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Treatment for Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring,
From Paul Lohkamp, MSW, LCSW (This article is essentially a summary of the treatment
program I use in therapy and as outlined in the book, Compulsive Hoarding and
Acquiring; Treatments That Work™, by Gail Steketee and Randy Frost.)
One of the most difficult problems in dealing with disease or disorders is finding the
best help available. Have you sought help and found out later, from another therapist or
doctor, that the original diagnosis was wrong or the treatments recommended were
inappropriate? We read everything we can about symptoms on the Internet or we “ask
around" from friends and acquaintances, trying to find out whatever we can. This is a good
idea. If you read about hoarding and acquiring, you will eventually find this book.
Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring; Treatments That Work™, by Gail Steketee
and Randy Frost, is designed to give you as much information as possible and to provide a
comprehensive treatment program. Only the latest and most effective interventions are
described in easy to read language. To be included, each treatment component has passed
the highest standards of evidence available, as determined by a scientific advisory board.
Thus, when individuals suffering from these problems or their family members seek out an
expert therapist who is familiar with these interventions and decides that they are
appropriate, patients will have confidence they are receiving the best care available. Of
course, only you and your therapist can decide on the right treatments for you.
This program presents the latest cognitive—behavioral treatment for excessive
hoarding and acquiring. Commonly thought to be a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder,
the problem of hoarding can be devastating, not only on individuals, but also their families
and, in many cases, their neighbors and public health authorities, who may be called in
when excessive debris and garbage accumulates.
The essence of this problem is the inability to throw away items or possessions that are
no longer needed or necessary. In many cases, houses become so cluttered that it
becomes impossible to use the living space in any reasonable way. This problem is
estimated to afflict approximately 2% per cent of the population and, up until this time, no
effective treatments have existed. Now, after a number of years of development, Drs. Frost
and Steketee have developed the first treatment with strong promise for success. In an
evaluation of the latest version of this treatment, individuals reduced clutter in their homes
by approximately 50% after just several months of treatment and continue to make
substantial progress. These results make this program a beacon of hope for those who
have suffered sometimes for decades. Although this program should be carried out under
the guidance of a skilled therapist who has been trained in its use, it offers the best hope
yet of relief from the considerable suffering associated with hoarding.
THE TREATMENT PROGRAM: (Much of this is taken from the book, Page 7)
In the early sessions, we will assess your hoarding problem and how it affects your life.
Your therapist will want to visit you in your home to better understand. We will draw a model
of your hoarding behavior, which will help you to understand your symptoms better and how
they developed. Later sessions focus on preparing for treatment and selecting the most
effective interventions for your specific case. You will be helped to decide whether you
need consultation or coaching for the hoarding problem or whether hoarding treatment is
part of an overall counseling plan.
In every session, we will work to keep you motivated. Early treatment is focused on
teaching you problem-solving and decision-making skills.
closely your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and will encourage your own views on
the best ways to make the changes you need.
Don't hesitate to call or email me for a consultation
Paul Lohkamp
From Paul Lohkamp, MSW, LCSW (This article is essentially a summary of the treatment
program I use in therapy and as outlined in the book, Compulsive Hoarding and
Acquiring; Treatments That Work™, by Gail Steketee and Randy Frost.)
One of the most difficult problems in dealing with disease or disorders is finding the
best help available. Have you sought help and found out later, from another therapist or
doctor, that the original diagnosis was wrong or the treatments recommended were
inappropriate? We read everything we can about symptoms on the Internet or we “ask
around" from friends and acquaintances, trying to find out whatever we can. This is a good
idea. If you read about hoarding and acquiring, you will eventually find this book.
Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring; Treatments That Work™, by Gail Steketee
and Randy Frost, is designed to give you as much information as possible and to provide a
comprehensive treatment program. Only the latest and most effective interventions are
described in easy to read language. To be included, each treatment component has passed
the highest standards of evidence available, as determined by a scientific advisory board.
Thus, when individuals suffering from these problems or their family members seek out an
expert therapist who is familiar with these interventions and decides that they are
appropriate, patients will have confidence they are receiving the best care available. Of
course, only you and your therapist can decide on the right treatments for you.
This program presents the latest cognitive—behavioral treatment for excessive
hoarding and acquiring. Commonly thought to be a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder,
the problem of hoarding can be devastating, not only on individuals, but also their families
and, in many cases, their neighbors and public health authorities, who may be called in
when excessive debris and garbage accumulates.
The essence of this problem is the inability to throw away items or possessions that are
no longer needed or necessary. In many cases, houses become so cluttered that it
becomes impossible to use the living space in any reasonable way. This problem is
estimated to afflict approximately 2% per cent of the population and, up until this time, no
effective treatments have existed. Now, after a number of years of development, Drs. Frost
and Steketee have developed the first treatment with strong promise for success. In an
evaluation of the latest version of this treatment, individuals reduced clutter in their homes
by approximately 50% after just several months of treatment and continue to make
substantial progress. These results make this program a beacon of hope for those who
have suffered sometimes for decades. Although this program should be carried out under
the guidance of a skilled therapist who has been trained in its use, it offers the best hope
yet of relief from the considerable suffering associated with hoarding.
THE TREATMENT PROGRAM: (Much of this is taken from the book, Page 7)
In the early sessions, we will assess your hoarding problem and how it affects your life.
Your therapist will want to visit you in your home to better understand. We will draw a model
of your hoarding behavior, which will help you to understand your symptoms better and how
they developed. Later sessions focus on preparing for treatment and selecting the most
effective interventions for your specific case. You will be helped to decide whether you
need consultation or coaching for the hoarding problem or whether hoarding treatment is
part of an overall counseling plan.
In every session, we will work to keep you motivated. Early treatment is focused on
teaching you problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- You'll develop a Personal Organizing Plan and put it into effect.
- You will be asked to participate in sorting and decision-making exercises, which will
help you get used to the discomfort of making hard choices, getting rid of items, and
not acquiring things. - With your therapist's help, you will sort through your possessions room by room, and
learn to discard, recycle, and donate the things you don't need. This work will include
examining how you think about your possessions, and beliefs you hold that might or
might not be true. - You'll be asked to take different perspectives on your acquiring and saving
preferences to help you change thinking that contributes to the clutter problem. - Finally, you will learn strategies for anticipating and coping with stress and
maintaining your new habits.
closely your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and will encourage your own views on
the best ways to make the changes you need.
Don't hesitate to call or email me for a consultation
Paul Lohkamp