Hoarding Disorder: new horizons

The theme of this contextual statement is Hoarding Disorder (HD), which can be defined as a failure to discard possessions, which may be useless or of little value, resulting in excessive clutter that precludes activities for which the living space was originally intended. Individuals with HD have a strong emotional and sentimental attachment to these items resulting in the experience or perceived high levels of distress at the thought of discarding them.

Hoarding disorder is a relatively new disorder. Within this contextual statement, I will demonstrate how I contributed to the increased awareness and understanding of this disorder in the United Kingdom in four key areas outlined below which is the basis of the public works that are being presented for consideration of the award Doctorate in Psychotherapy by Public Works:

• RAISING AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING
As a relatively new disorder, there has been a lack of understanding and awareness of this condition across the professional domains. I have been involved in raising the understanding and awareness of HD and its impact on the individuals, community, environment and professions through radio interviews, teaching and training and providing consultations to individuals, professionals and organisations. This has also influenced and contributed to the development of protocols for engaging those who have hoarding issues.

• RESEARCH COLLABORATION
My personal experiences of providing therapy, observations, reflections and reflexivity led me to undertake private and collaborative research with a range of professionals and variety of fields to improve understanding of the disorder.
This collaborative work has helped develop innovative and creative interventions that led to the development of the London Hoarding Treatment Group model.

• DISSEMINATION
As part of good practice and to improve the quality of life for individuals who engage in hoarding behaviours I have been actively disseminating research findings, treatment practices through teaching and training, while presenting at national and international conferences and peer review journal publications. I have contributing to the field by offering expertise, knowledge and skills by undertaking professional reviews for professional journals for academic articles submitted for publications.

• TREATMENT MODEL
The impact of my personal experiences of providing treatment, undertaking both private and collaborative research, developing creative and innovative interventions has led to the development of the London Hoarding Treatment Group model. There have been a number of self-help books published on HD. This treatment model has been published as the UK’s first self-help book titled Overcoming Hoarding and led to the development of the smart phone app titled Reclaim your space and life.

Part 1 contains a summary of the Public Works, a timeline, an introduction to HD, and the practice of engagement in narrative inquiry and reflexivity on which I based my personal and professional development in relation to my professional practice and in the development of my interest in HD.

Part 2 describes the Public Works, the knowledge and skills, collaborative work and challenges faced and achievements in the development of the works, and how I have applied them in the development of my influence in increasing the awareness and treatment of HD and the impact it has had on the field. I will draw on the work I have produced in relation to HD between the periods of 2011 to 2016. I will refer to my earlier works in Part 1 between 2004 and 2010 to set the context, demonstrate my interest in HD and the journey of my personal and professional development in this field. I will conclude with a critical reflection on the development of awareness, understanding, and treatment for HD and outline future development in this area.

Part 3 contains examples of the Public Works and supporting evidence.