Agency & Community Training

These trainings are offered in a live virtual format. Trainings are ideal for educating larger groups of staff and community partners in all aspects of addressing hoarding from an agency and community perspective. 

Our preferred trainers are among the top experts in the field and have in-depth knowledge of all aspects of hoarding. They also have a solid understanding of the virtual learning culture and practice effective training methods. 

Training Categories

Comprehensive training for agencies and communities wanting to establish a collaborative approach to compassionately and effectively address hoarding.

Trainer: Marnie Matthews, LCSW

Contact Information: marnie@centerforhoardingandcluttering.com

                                               615-617-5484

Contact Hours: 6

Summary: This in-depth training provides participants with a solid foundation for compassionately and effectively working with individuals struggling with hoarding. The training uses lecture, videos, case studies, breakout sessions, group discussions and frequent question and answer periods to provide an interactive learning experience that results in actionable knowledge and skills.

Training Agenda and Objectives

Section 1: Understanding Hoarding Disorder

Participants will gain a better understanding of Hoarding Disorder as a mental health issue. Additionally, they will learn how to identify hoarding disorder and differentiate it from other issues with clutter.

Section 2: Empathy, Empowerment, and Engagement

Participants will learn how to use empathy and empowerment within their roles to help engage the individual and other team members in a compassionate and effective resolution process.

Section 3: Harm Reduction and the Collaborative Approach to Hoarding

Participants will learn to use and implement objective tools, skills, and strategies to develop effective multidisciplinary collaborative plans to resolve hoarding cases. This includes a case study and discussion on professional roles in hoarding cases (challenges, abilities, and limitations) and how to best utilize roles to complement the process.

Trainer: Marnie Matthews, LCSW

Contact Information: marnie@centerforhoardingandcluttering.com

                                               615-617-5484

Contact Hours: 6

Summary: This intensive training provides participants with foundational information, guidance and resources needed to develop a community wide support system and approach to hoarding. The training uses lecture, videos, case studies, breakout sessions, group discussions and frequent question and answer periods to provide an interactive learning experience that results in actionable knowledge and skills.

Training Agenda and Objectives

Section 1: The Collaborative Approach to Hoarding

Participants will learn the rationale and objectives of the community collaborative approach to hoarding.

Section 2: Identifying Collaborative Opportunities

Participants will be introduced to collaborative community options that include Steering Committees, Hoarding Task Forces, Regional Task Force sub-committees, Agency Partnerships and Regional Response Teams. Additionally, participants will work together to determine the best fit for their community.

Section 3: Developing Collaborative Teams

Participants will learn how to identify Community/Team Partners. Additionally, participants will discuss challenges to and strategies for securing buy-in and engagement from Community/Team Partners and sustaining Collaborative Teams.

Section 4: Implementing Collaborative Community Solutions

Participants will learn how to establish uniform protocols and facilitate effective teamwork that includes communication, setting and meeting goals and objectives, monitoring and measuring progress and reducing recidivism. Participants will also work together on a case study to better understand how to implement the information reviewed in this training.

Comprehensive training for agencies and communities wanting to prepare and train staff in a hands-on approach for working directly with individuals to compassionately and effectively address hoarding.

Trainer: Terina M. Bainter, CPO, COC, ACC

Certified Professional Organizer
Certified Organizer Coach
Associate Certified Coach

Contact Information: terina@cluttercutterswa.com

                                                       253-604-4963

Contact Hours: 6

Summary: This in-depth training provides participants with a solid foundation for preparing for hands-on 1:1 work with individuals struggling with hoarding. The training uses lecture, videos, group discussions and frequent question and answer periods to provide an interactive learning experience that results in actionable knowledge and skills.

Training Agenda and Objectives

Section 1: The 5 Pitfalls Every Professional Should Know When Working With a Client With Hoarding Behaviors

Participants will learn the five common challenges that professionals who work with clients with hoarding behaviors face and how to prevent and overcome these issues. We will cover topics such as anxiety and stress, health and safety standards, compassion fatigue, partner collaboration, motivational interviewing, personal expectations, and celebrating progress.

Section 2: Meet and Greet Planning Session

Participants will be guided through the process of a home visit from the initial phone conversation to the first in-home meeting. We will discuss how to prepare for a home visit, things to consider before starting with a new client, and the four reasons why people keep things. We will also establish the three pillars of an in-home visit – initial reactions, safety and trust, and client motivation.

Section 3: The Physical Stuff a Professional Needs

In this section we dive into the physical elements required to begin working with a client with hoarding behaviors. Participants will learn which supplies and tools are best for organization and safety. They will also be provided with organization strategies such as color coordination, categorization ideas, and labeling suggestions.

Trainer: Terina M. Bainter, CPO, COC, ACC

Certified Professional Organizer
Certified Organizer Coach
Associate Certified Coach

Contact Information: terina@cluttercutterswa.com

                                                       253-604-4963

Contact Hours: 6

Summary: In this training class, participants will build on the concepts learned in the first training class by exploring the foundations of client motivation, learning the process of a client session from start to finish, and learning how to navigate common challenges that occur in the organizing process when working with clients with hoarding behaviors. Following this training, participants will be able to schedule two 1-hour follow-up calls with the instructor to discuss client situations and receive guidance and support.

Training Agenda and Objectives

Section 1: Building the Foundation of Client Motivation

In this section, participants will learn the foundations of client motivation by understanding the common thoughts, words, and behaviors that can influence a client’s success. Participants will learn the common missteps of getting organized and the importance of determining an internal why. They will also learn how words and negative self-talk create resistance and struggle. Participants will learn how to keep the focus on the client and how to continue to motivate the client throughout the process. They will learn why creating categories is a critical step in the organization process and how things like commingling and micro-organizing can impede client success. Participants will learn the connections between time management and body awareness while discussing storage, lighting, exhaustion and pain, time estimation, and time tracking. They will also explore the connections between memory, labeling, and lists/mind maps.

Section 2: Starting the Hands-on Work

In this section, participants will be guided through the process of a client session, starting with how to set the tone for the day and ending with how to clean up and finish the day. They will learn how to manage client expectations, set a foundation for trust, and create realistic goals. Participants will learn the protocols for receiving permission and trust from clients in the sorting and discarding process. They will learn how to create a sorting area to categorize items while considering visual overwhelm, safety, storage, and labeling. Participants will learn the importance of cleaning up for the day, reviewing accomplishments, and encouraging client success.

Section 3: Challenges You Might Face

In this section, participants will learn the common challenges to keep in mind while working with clients and tips for how to overcome these struggles as they arise. They will explore common struggles including time management, distractions, health and safety, and client thoughts and behaviors. Participants will learn the steps to take when progress starts to come undone and how to handle client’s resistance and emotional responses to the changes being made. They will learn how to document progress and celebrate success with their client to encourage commitment to the organizing process. They will also explore the pros and cons of sales, donations, and trash disposal within the discarding process.

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Interested in a training for your agency or community?

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