Hoarding disorder is a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition. This presentation will explore the deeper psychosocial dimensions of hoarding, moving beyond surface-level assumptions to uncover the roles of trauma, grief, identity, and systemic disadvantage.
Through a trauma-informed lens, the session will examine how shame, stigma, and isolation contribute to the persistence of hoarding behaviours, and how recovery-focused practice can foster dignity, autonomy, and hope. Participants will be guided through real-world scenarios and reflective prompts that illuminate the lived experience of individuals impacted by hoarding and squalor.
This session is designed for mental health professionals, support workers, and service providers seeking to deepen their understanding and enhance their practice. It offers practical tools for engagement, insights into best-practice models, and a framework for fostering recovery in ways that honour the person behind the behaviour.
Rather than focusing on decluttering as a solution, the presentation reframes hoarding as a story of survival—one that requires compassion, curiosity, and collaboration. Attendees will leave with renewed confidence, actionable strategies, and a deeper appreciation for the courage it takes to face what lies beneath the clutter.

Three Key Learnings
1. Understanding hoarding as a response to trauma and loss
2. Recognising the impact of shame and systemic barriers
3. Strategies for respectful engagement and ethical intervention