Live Class – Beyond the Surface: Identifying Trauma in the Organizing Process

Beyond the Surface: Identifying Trauma in the Organizing Process

with Annie Holland

Description:

• This session explores the ways trauma, anxiety, and childhood adversity can show up in the organizing process, often through clutter, avoidance, perfectionism, emotional attachment to items or even fear-based resistance to change.
• Participants will learn to look beyond the surface of disorganization and consider what a client’s relationship with space, stuff, routine and control may be communicating.
• Through a trauma-informed lens, we will discuss how clutter can function as emotional insulation; how hyper-organization can become a coping mechanism; and how shame-based language can unintentionally cause clients to shut down.
• This class will offer practical language shifts and compassionate strategies that organizers can use when clients appear overwhelmed, frozen, defensive, or unwilling to engage with the organizing process.
• We will also discuss the limits of the organizer’s role and how to recognize when collaboration with a therapist or other mental health professional may be necessary.