Note: Participation in the Shulman Center program includes any and all letters for court and/or employment issues at no extra charge

Why do people hoard/clutter?

• Fear of letting go of the past (things hold memories/meaning)
• Fear of facing the future
• Fear of abandoning things which feel like abandoning self/others
• Tenuous sense of self
• A defense against getting close to others
• Scarcity mentality—might need this later
• An indirect cry for help/attention
• A reaction to traumatic loss
• A byproduct of shopping/shoplifting behavior
• Learned behavior
• Related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, perfectionism, procrastination

Consequences of hoarding/cluttering

• Loss of time
• Loss of space
• Loss of relationships
• Loss of health
• Loss of self-esteem
• Embarrassment of others
• Loss of focus
• Loss of reputation
• Loss of property—due to eviction
• Other legal issues
• Loss of finances

Help for hoarding/cluttering

• Read books
• Get counseling
• Medications
• Support groups
• Hire personal organizer
• Enlist family/friends' help
• Avoid places where one might accumulate more things
• Find new hobbies
• Educate self on health hazards/negative consequences
• Watch educational TV shows on hoarding

Compulsive Hoarding / Cluttering Therapy Can Help You Regain Control of Your Life

Some hoarders may be able to address their hoarding with the help of professional organizers but most will need the help of a trained, skilled professional therapist who specializes in helping the hoarder and his/her family/friends understand what is at the roots of this increasingly common and complex behavior.

Terrence Shulman has been a certified social worker and addictions therapist since 1997 and has worked effectively with hoarding issues whether they are linked to compulsive shopping/spending, shoplifting/stealing, or to hoarding/cluttering.

When a person begins to understand his/her own hoarding and has the right support to take incremental steps toward letting go of the stuff that keeps him/her stuck, a new door is opened and life truly becomes possible, relationships can be restored, and a deep sense of shame and helplessness is lifted, replaced by a feeling of liberation and hope.

The Program

The Shulman Center program has been continually evolving and fine-tuning from its earliest successful results. Typically, 90% of our clients enroll in and successfully complete the basic program structure:

• 10 one hour-long sessions with Mr. Shulman in person or by phone within a 90 day period
• For one of these 10 sessions, it is highly recommended that a family member or friend attend a "joint session"
• A 30-day follow-up session with Mr. Shulman in person or by phone
• Reading and working from one or more of Mr. Shulman's books or books by other recommended therapists
• Participation in either a local and/or online support group (Mr. Shulman created and has moderated a confidential online group for recovering theft addicts since 2000).