1. Are Two Hoarding Heads Better Than One?
Teaming Up Against Hoarding Disorder
Marnie C., Susan C., & Randy Frost

2. How it started - Marnie

3. The Power of Telling the Story
Making Decisions about Acquiring and Saving Attachments and Beliefs Processing Life Context
By thinking it through, we’re PROCESSING the item. This is something that usually doesn’t happen with people who have Hoarding Disorder. For those with HD, items typically enter the home and don’t get picked up again

4. Susan’s Videos
Show one YouTube video as an example of what I had been doing before meeting Marnie.

5. What it became - Marnie
Marnie -- how she lost her assistant & I came on board just to help her make videos.
Video I filmed of Marnie discarding something -- Mastectomy Bra video (2:07)
Verbally highlight PROTOCOL elements.

6. What it became - Susan
I could then add how I was inspired while filming Marnie process her discards. Her bravery was contagious, and I decided to get in front of the camera, too.
Marnie filming me discarding bottle or Bottle Video (6:14 in full but can be edited down to 2:55 for just the discard) Wire Spool video (I cut out the Metro Card; now down to 2:08)
Verbally highlight PROTOCOL elements.

7. How it helped
By teaming up… … we make a commitment to each other to work on discarding items. There is a sense of ACCOUNTABILITY that we may not have when working on our own. … there’s a sense of FREEDOM and EASE in talking to someone else who “gets it.” We can speak HONESTLY without fear of judgment.

8. We truly appreciate how difficult it is!
We know first hand what it feels like to desperately want to get better and how challenging it is to do so.
We sincerely see the beauty/value/uniqueness of the items the other person is trying to discard.
Can verbally share how we’re eerily similar in some ways & in other ways, so different.

9. Example of how we’re different!
Marnie’s
paper shredder
Susan’s
paper shredder

10. Live Discard Susan and Marnie Discarding
Begin with either Marnie or Susan discarding an item in front of the group. Marnie reading her mother’s letter is now in “Who is Marnie?” If Marnie can bring another item of her mother’s to discard live, Randy can reference the letter as the “100” for comparison.
Randy to comment on the protocol elements as we do the discard. That way, the room is primed to have Randy guide the Group Exercise step-by-step.

11. Telling the STORY of the object
What is the item?
What does it mean to you?
Why is it difficult to let go?
Where does it fit in your life?
How does it match with your goals and values?
Decision
Aftermath.
Note your level of anxiety on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 = highest level of anxiety)
As time passes, re-assess your anxiety level

12. The processing is what’s important
to demonstrate how processing the item is what’s important… not that you have to throw everything out.
I think it might also be good to share a moment of levity between our live discard and asking for a brave volunteer??

13. You may decide NOT to get rid of it.
What’s important is the processing and making a decision. You may decide it’s actually worth keeping. But put it where it belongs  Preferably out of sight
Marnie would like to comment on putting things away / out of sight.
Susan may comment.

14. Group exercise What is the item? What does it mean to you?
Why is it difficult to let go?
Where does it fit in your life?
How does it match with your goals and values?
Decision
Aftermath

15. What it’s not
Therapy
DeCluttering
Cleanout

16. What to be careful about / potential pitfalls
Sharing objects – experience from group and BIT
Confidentiality
Shaming
Other problems: ADHD, Depression, etc.
Respect
Flexibility
Backsliding– Don’t beat yourself up!

17. Potential Pitfalls
Important for each of us to assess our own potential pitfalls to help keep the process productive. Share concerns with each other. Honest communication is key!
Possibly show video about setting boundaries with respect ()
Be pro-active in keeping things on track, minimizing distractions and tangents.

18. Giving ourselves structure
Begin our discard sessions with a five minute walk
Then read from the Buried in Treasures facilitator’s guide

19. How it expanded
Can begin by saying, “OK, you might be thinking, ‘Well, goody good for you two living in the same city and being able to get together. I live thousands of miles from here and don’t know anyone else near me with hoarding issues to collaborate with.’”
Then l can describe how my collaboration with Katja began & show a Skype video. Will try to get her to share what her initial reaction was to my invitation, why she decided to give it a try & how the experience has been so far (compared to what she expected).

20. Ways to connect with others
Right here in this room! If you see a familiar face over the course of the conference… say HI 
Message boards – If you find someone you connect with, you might suggest working together via Skype or FaceTime. HelpForHoarders.co.uk Yahoo Compulsive Hoarding Community
In-person groups: meetup.com has been meeting since 2011 in New York City. If there isn’t a group in your area… consider starting one! Clutterers Anonymous Buried in Treasures Groups If there isn’t one in your area… consider starting one! The Facilitator Guide is free to download at Guide.pdf
YouTube channel I Am a Compulsive Hoarderhttps://
Say HI to each other… meet tomorrow morning for breakfast or grab lunch together. Get to know each other, and if it feels right – exchange contact information.

21. AFTERMATH -- check in Closing
See how those who discarded an item are feeling at this point.
Marnie would like to verbally add how 3 days later, she thought the (red) candles were blue.
It demonstrates the discard process. But it also reflects how what began as an, “UGH. This is what it takes to try to get a handle on hoarding,” has morphed into a unique & treasured friendship