When I first began working with clients with hoarding tendencies, very little had been written about hoarding, either from a psychological perspective or concerning developing organizing strategies. Today, however, you can benefit from excellent, well-researched information. These resources are designed for those with a hoarding disorder, their loved ones, and for professional organizers. Consider the following suggested book list as “hoarding essentials.”
Professional Perspectives on Hoarding
The academic and medical professionals who authored the following titles are well-educated specialists with extensive expertise in the field of compulsive hoarding. These “hoarding essentials” books will help you understand client work experiences and provide guidance to avoid pitfalls. Likewise, they will help you develop “do no harm” solutions. Although the material may sound academic in scope, don’t be daunted!
Non-Fiction Books by Therapists
- Buried in Treasures by David F. Tolin, Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee
- Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring by Michael A. Tompkins, Ph.D. and Tamara L. Hartl, Ph.D.
- The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workbook for Personality Disorders by Jeffrey C. Wood, Psy.D.
- Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring: Therapist Guide by Gail Steketee and Randy O. Frost
- Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring: Workbook by Gail Steketee and Randy O. Frost
- The Hoarding Handbook: A Guide for Human Service Professionals by Christiana Bratiotis, Cristina Sorrentino Schmalisch and Gail Steketee
- Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding by Fugen Neziroglu, Ph.D., ABBP, Jerome Bubrick, Ph.D., and Jose A. Yaryura-Tobias, M.D.
- Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee
General Perspectives on Hoarding
The following titles were written with non-specialists in mind. In fact, they provide clear, non-medical explanations and descriptions of the obstacles and challenges associated with helping those who hoard and those with related decluttering difficulties. These resources will significantly expand your knowledge base as a professional organizer. In addition, you may find yourself suggesting these books to the loved ones of those with hoarding tendencies as recommended reading.
Non-Fiction Books by Related Professionals
- Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean About Her Mother’s Compulsive Hoarding by Jessie Sholl
- Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash by Vickie Dellaquila
- It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys by Marilyn Paul, PhD
- From Hoarding to Hope: Understanding People Who Hoard and How to Help Them by Geralin Thomas
Non-Fiction DVDs
- My Mother’s Garden directed by Cynthia Lester
Consumer Psychology
Hoarding involves the obsessive acquisition of possessions. Although compulsive shopping is only one type of acquisition, understanding the underpinnings of consumer psychology will help you in your work with hoarding clients.
Non-Fiction Books – Related Topics
- Dematerializing: Taming the Power of Possessions by Jane Hammerslough
- Shoptimism: Why the American Consumer Will Keep On Buying, No Matter What by Lee Eisenberg
- To Buy or Not to Buy by April Lane Benson, PhD
