Clutter Support Group for Individuals with Chronic Disorganization

Kim Stetson Bolstad, B.A., and Taylor Wolf, B.S. Masters Program, Professional Mental Health Counseling, Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling, Portland, Oregon, USA

Proposal Abstract

This qualitative study will identify benefits that self-identified “chronically disorganized” individuals gain from attending a clutter support group.  The support group, designed by the authors, is a psychoeducation focused group helping participants learn and gain insight into their own individual hoarding situations, and teaches participants decluttering and organizing skills.  The trial support group, January to February 2016, received positive feedback from all group members.  For this proposed study, the group will meet weekly for 10 weeks, between May and July 2016.  Both authors will facilitate each 90-minute session.  The group will be closed to a maximum of 7 individuals.  At the end of the session participants will complete a feedback survey rating their satisfaction with the session, motivation to declutter, and confidence in their ability to change. At the conclusion of the 10 weeks participants will fill out a survey regarding the benefits gained from attending the group. The goal of this research is to highlight the importance of a formal support group in treating chronic disorganization and create a curriculum that may be followed by clinicians working with individuals who suffer from chronic disorganization and/or hoarding disorder.