Hoarding Specialist Certificate

Certificate Description

The Level II Hoarding Specialist Certificate builds on the Level I Certificate of Study in Understanding Hoarding Behavior

 An ICD subscriber who has earned the Level II Hoarding Specialist Certificate has completed at least 12 hours of education in topics particular to working with the population affected by hoarding issues,  in addition to six hours of general education in Chronic Disorganization.  They have read a minimum of four books related to hoarding issues and passed an exam based on that reading.

 

 The Requirements of the certificate are

  • Be a current ICD Subscriber 
  • Have received the Certificate of Study in Understanding Hoarding Behavior
  • Complete required readings: 
    • Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding, by Fugen Neziroglu, Jerome Bubrick and Jose Yaryura-Tobias, 2004. A book for people who hoard and for their families. This book provides background on the phenomenon of hoarding and gives direction on how to address it, both as self-help and as family intervention. Helpful to professional organizers in developing a general understanding of hoarding or a plan for assisting a specific client.
    • Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring workbook, by Gail Steketee & Randy O. Frost, 2007. A self-help workbook for people who hoard. Useful for professional organizers to help clients articulate their specific challenges and to walk them through the change process. (Note: A companion guide was also published for therapists who provide clinical treatment for hoarding.  
    • Buried in Treasures: Help for compulsive acquiring, saving, and hoarding, by David F. Tolin, Randy O. Frost, & Gail Steketee, 2007. Introduction to the phenomenon of hoarding for people who hoard and their families. Helpful to professional organizers in conceptualizing the problem of hoarding and ways to address it.
    • Digging out: Helping your loved one manage clutter, hoarding, and compulsive acquiring by Michael A. Tompkins, & Tamara L. Hartl, 2009. Introduction to the concept of harm reduction—the improvement and not necessarily the elimination of a problem behavior—as it applies to hoarding behavior. Helpful when working with the client’s family and with clients who are unable or unwilling to fully dismantle their hoard.
  • Attend the six classes available in the Level II Hoarding area of the ICD Vault
  • Pay for and pass the Hoarding Exam within the last two (2) years. Contact the Certification Program Director for waiver information. The Hoarding Exam is composed of 25 multiple-choice questions, based on the above readings. Visit our Exam PageThere is a fee for the exam registration. Hoarding Exam Registration and Payment form.
  • Complete an application for the Hoarding Specialist Certificate online.