Hoarding Disorder Treatment and Therapy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center offers treatment for numerous mental health disorders, including hoarding disorder treatment. We offer compassionate and effective support tailored to each individual. Our trained professionals can help you to identify signs of hoarding disorder. We’ll work with you to determine the best course of therapy for hoarding disorder to reclaim your home and life today.

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What Is Hoarding Disorder?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent intrusive, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Compulsive behaviors are repetitive actions you feel driven to perform in response to anxiety. These might include excessive cleaning or compulsive checking to alleviate distress or prevent feared outcomes. Obsessive thoughts are unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause intense fear.

Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition where individuals have difficulty discarding possessions due to perceived emotional attachment to objects. This disorder can be extremely disruptive to the individual suffering from it, as well as to their loved ones or others sharing a home. While the causes are unknown, there are multiple factors that may contribute to the condition.

Hoarding disorder can be closely linked to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as well as other anxiety disorders. Hoarding disorder symptoms include excessive clutter, compulsive hoarding behavior, or fear of throwing things away. There are five hoarding disorder levels ranging from minimal clutter to extreme clutter. While there is no cure for hoarding disorder, there are multiple promising avenues for treatment.

Do you think you or a loved one is in need of hoarding disorder treatment? Contact us today.

Statistics on Hoarding Disorder in Florida

Hoarding disorder is relatively uncommon, with a base prevalence of 2-6% nationally, and adults over age 70 are most frequently diagnosed. Seventy-five percent of individuals have a co-occurring mental health disorder. In family dynamics, mothers were the most frequent sufferers of hoarding disorder, at 76%.

Newspapers, clothing, food, and animals are commonly hoarded items, with hundreds of cases of animal hoarding estimated in the State of Florida. Hoarding can lead to bodily harm, with 25% of deaths from house fires due to clutter. Only an estimated 5% of hoarding cases are reported.

Signs and Symptoms of Hoarding Disorder

There are many hoarding disorder symptoms to be aware of when trying to discern if you or a loved one are suffering from this disorder. Behind the obsessive accumulation of items, there is an emotional component, including distress when faced with discarding or organizing items. Hoarding disorder symptoms often include considerable impairment when trying to function on a daily basis.

Below are some common hoarding disorder symptoms:

Difficulty discarding or parting with possessions – psychological and emotional distress when faced with the prospect of organizing or parting with an item you have a connection to, regardless of actual value.
Excessive accumulation of items – excessive saving of useless items, leading to a cluttered living space.
Inability to use rooms for intended purposes – due to clutter, living spaces may become unusable.
Strong attachment to possessions – a perceived emotional connection to items, believing they have sentimental value or convincing yourself the items will have future use.
Procrastination or indecision – stalling or experiencing intense hesitation when faced with the prospect of discarding or simply organizing items.
Social isolation or embarrassment – individuals living in hoarded spaces may experience embarrassment at the prospect of others seeing the state of their home. This may also lead to potential isolation or difficulty in relationships.
Difficulty managing daily tasks – becoming overwhelmed when faced with completing basic daily tasks due to the amount of clutter in the home.
Safety hazards in the home – blocked exits, fire risks, or unsanitary conditions that cause the home to be unsafe or uninhabitable.
Significant impairment in daily functioning – difficulty with maintaining relationships, employment, or health due to the overwhelming state of the home.

Possessing one or even multiple of these symptoms is not indicative of a diagnosis of hoarding disorder. To receive an accurate diagnosis and access psychological help for hoarding, a mental health professional will have to conduct an assessment. You can take advantage of our complimentary mental assessment to begin hoarding disorder therapy and treatment.

Cluttered table with papers and groceries.

How The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center Treats Hoarding Disorder

At Sylvia Brafman, we treat hoarding disorder as the complex mental health condition it is, not a habit, and not a personality flaw. While there’s no overnight cure for compulsive hoarding, our primary mental health expertise means we go deeper than symptom management. Our goal is to help you truly heal.

Our approach to hoarding disorder treatment draws from our proven “5 Lanes” framework, addressing your clinical, psychiatric, medical, spiritual, and vocational wellbeing simultaneously. For hoarding disorder specifically, we use evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), with CBT showing improvement in 70–80% of people within 12 months. These therapies are woven into structured PHP and IOP programming, with housing available so your recovery environment is stable and supported. No two people arrive at our doors the same way, and no two treatment plans look alike. Reach out today and let’s find the right path forward for you.

Talk to a Patient Advocate About Hoarding Disorder Treatment in South Florida

At The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center, our compassionate team is eager to help you with specialized treatment for obsessive hoarding disorder. We have a broad spectrum of treatment programs including IOP and PHP. Don’t hesitate any longer, connect with us today! You can both contact us directly or fill out the form below for a prompt callback.

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Types of Hoarding Disorder Treatment Programs

The type of hoarding and mental health treatment program that is right for you will depend on a number of factors, including the severity/level of hoarding and your mental state. It is important to understand the treatment options available to you to determine what will best fit your needs.

The following are a sample of programs available in treating hoarding disorder. Please note this is not a full list. To determine the most suitable treatment program for you or a loved one’s needs, contact The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center today.

Hoarding Intervention Programs

Hoarding intervention programs are designed to help those struggling with excessive accumulation and difficulty discarding items. Treatments for hoarding disorder combine counseling, skill-building, and practical support to help you understand and alter your behaviors to make lasting lifestyle adjustments.

These programs also address the emotional attachment to objects and the motivation behind hoarding tendencies. They offer a safe space to explore the links between hoarding and anxiety, as well as potential links between hoarding and OCD symptoms. The primary goal of these programs is to create a supportive space to develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Outpatient and Evening Treatment Programs

Outpatient and evening treatment programs are appropriate if you’re seeking hoarding, organizing, and decluttering help but need to maintain your daily routines with minimal interruptions. These outpatient and evening programs utilize a combination of tools involving therapy, skill-building, and sometimes hoarding disorder support groups.

Outpatient and evening treatment for hoarding disorder allows you the flexibility to get the support you need all while accommodating your work, school, or other daytime commitments. While outpatient and evening treatment programs for hoarding disorder treatment are flexible, they tend to have limited availability and are less intensive, requiring more motivation.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs are designed to provide more frequent and intensive care than typical outpatient programs. You don’t need to reside at the treatment center, as you would in an inpatient program. IOPs are highly structured and have a comprehensive approach to hoarding disorder therapy. They usually include a mix of therapies to reduce compulsive hoarding behaviors.

Treatments utilized in an IOP for hoarding disorder might include compassion-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, exposure and response prevention, skills training, and group therapy, among others. IOPs vary in duration based on the severity of your hoarding disorder. The duration of treatment usually lasts from several weeks to a few months, with multiple sessions (three to five) per week.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Day Treatment

For more severe cases of hoarding disorder, a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or day treatment option may work best. PHPs or daytime programs utilize numerous forms of treatments and therapies to address hoarding disorder symptoms. These interventions may involve Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD spectrum disorders like hoarding.

PHPs are more intensive than typical outpatient programs, and because of this, they usually last for a shorter period. Typically, you can expect to spend five-seven hours in treatment multiple times a week. PHPs are a good way to fully engage in therapy and get support on a more concentrated level while not engaging in inpatient care.

Inpatient and Residential Treatment

Inpatient and residential treatment for hoarding are the most intensive hoarding disorder treatment option. You’ll focus entirely on your recovery. In severe cases of hoarding disorder, the home may pose health or safety risks and it may become necessary to leave your home.

Inpatient/residential programs are full time. You’ll live at the facility and receive full access to tools and support, like individual therapy, group therapy, and skill-building sessions to address the root of compulsive hoarding behavior. As individuals who suffer from hoarding disorder are frequently emotionally attached to their possessions, this form of treatment offers compassion as new skills are built.

Online Therapy or Teletherapy Programs

An alternative to in-person therapy, these virtual options may appeal to many who suffer from hoarding and anxiety. The same support is offered as other options, but sessions are conducted online. This can be beneficial, allowing the provider to observe your home and provide practical skill-building in real time. It is considered a less intensive form of hoarding therapy.

Types of Counseling and Therapy for Hoarding Disorder

Several comprehensive treatments are commonly used to treat hoarding disorder. The overall aim of treatment is to help you manage your relationship with possessions, improve decision-making, and reduce clutter to improve your quality of life. Here are some of the most effective therapies for hoarding:

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) helps you build compassion for yourself and your experiences. Hoarding can often stem from feelings of shame, self-criticism, or trauma, and CFT targets these underlying emotional struggles. It fosters self-kindness and reduces the intense self-judgment that can perpetuate the disorder. You’ll learn to view your difficulties with acceptance, recognizing that struggles with hoarding don’t define your worth.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT focuses on developing psychological flexibility, accepting difficult emotions, and committing to actions to improve your life. Hoarding disorder involves feeling ambivalence or fear about change. This approach focuses on teaching you to accept emotions, rather than allowing emotions to control your behavior. This acceptance, paired with commitment to change, can be significantly helpful in compassionately treating hoarding disorder.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy for hoarding is the most used form of hoarding disorder therapy. CBT focuses on understanding and modifying unhelpful or obsessive thoughts, beliefs, and ritualistic behaviors driving the compulsion to accumulate. CBT is also used in OCD treatment, which can be interconnected to hoarding. Hoarding and OCD both fixtate on obsessive or intrusive thoughts, leading to compulsive behaviors.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, empathetic approach to hoarding disorder treatment. MI focuses on helping you cope more effectively with change and aims to increase your motivation to make changes. In MI, you are encouraged to explore values and goals. Through this, an intrinsic motivation is created, which is often critical to address the complex emotions associated with hoarding.

Group and Family Therapy

Hoarding disorder support groups can be vital to create a community. In group therapy, you’ll find support and commonalities with peers, which can reduce feelings of isolation that are frequently associated with hoarding. There are various kinds of support groups, from talk-focused groups to skill-building groups, to virtual support groups.

Family therapy can also be a useful tool in offering support while undergoing hoarding disorder treatment. It can help to ease family dynamics that can be impacted by compulsive hoarding behaviors. Hoarding disorder can have a significant impact on family dynamics, and family therapy can help both the individual as well as the family as a whole.

therapy session with therapist and patient sitting across from each other in separate chairs

Does Insurance Cover Hoarding Disorder Treatment Programs?

Many insurance plans offer some level of coverage for hoarding therapists and treatment, especially since hoarding disorder can frequently be interconnected to other anxiety disorders. Insurance coverage varies depending on the provider, plan type, and the kind of treatment you are seeking. Depending on how the diagnosis is classified, it is likely some level of health insurance coverage will be available.

When determining what kind of care is best for you, it is vital to understand the specifics of your insurance plan. Check your insurance details with one of our patient advocates today for help understanding your options.

Verify Your Insurance Benefits for Hoarding Disorder Treatment

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Logos of some accepted insurance companies at Sylvia Brafman Health Center.

What is the Hoarding Treatment Admissions Process?

The Sylvia Brafman admissions process for hoarding disorder treatment is built to put you at ease and provide an environment where you are supported through your treatment plan. Processes can vary depending on location, but in general, you can expect some variation of the following:

Contact: The first step of beginning treatment for hoarding disorder is initial contact with the facility. Whether by phone, email, or our contact page, our intake team is here to provide support as we work with you to determine the best course of action.
Intake appointment: At the initial appointment, our team will review your health history and conduct a mental health assessment with questions formulated to determine if a hoarding diagnosis is warranted. If it is, we’ll need to determine the level or severity of hoarding in the home.
Creating Your Treatment Plan: We pride ourselves on our nuanced approach to developing treatment plans and want to find the perfect plan for you. This tailored outline will include the mental health tools that would be the most helpful in your particular case.
Admissions and Finances: Once a treatment plan is in place, our patient advocates will work with you to make sure all the logistics are covered. We will help to fill out paperwork, discuss finances, assist with insurance, and any other practical things that need to be sorted.
First days to the program: In the beginning of the treatment process, you will be briefed on the overall structure and goals of the program, introduced to your care team, and shown around the facility, if applicable.
Active Treatment Phase: This is the period of time where you will be focusing on the details of your treatment plan – receiving counseling, developing skills, and working to control hoarding disorder symptoms.
Ongoing monitoring and adjustments: As care progresses, our team will observe the effectiveness of treatment, making adjustments to the treatment plan along the way. These observations and adjustments will help to ensure lasting change.

What Happens at a Hoarding Treatment Facility?

Hoarding treatment centers provide a safe, structured environment to address compulsive hoarding behaviors and create lasting change. Some facilities may offer inpatient or residential programs which are ideal for severe, high level hoarding behaviors. Other facilities may only offer outpatient care options for less severe hoarding cases. This level of care will influence the day-to-day during hoarding disorder treatment.

Trained mental health professionals work with clients through therapy sessions, often using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This approach explores the emotional attachment to objects and teaches practical strategies for organization and decision-making. Group therapy is also common, allowing you to connect with others facing similar challenges, which can reduce feelings of isolation and provide encouragement. Facilities may also offer hands-on organizing and decluttering help in a safe, structured manner, teaching you to gradually let go of items and reshape your living space. Family counseling is sometimes included to help loved ones understand compulsive hoarding behavior and learn supportive strategies.

By focusing on behavior modification, emotional support, and practical skills, these facilities aim to empower you to manage your obsessive thoughts and compulsions associated with hoarding disorder. You’ll ultimately be better equipped to create more functional, healthy living environments.

How Much Does Hoarding Disorder Treatment Cost?

The cost of hoarding disorder treatment can vary based on a number of factors. Diagnosis type, insurance coverage, and location of treatment are just a few components of what can dictate the overall cost of therapy. Inpatient therapy is likely to cost more, while outpatient therapy can cost up to $200 a session, depending on the above listed factors.

Most insurance companies will offer some level of insurance coverage for hoarding disorder treatment, particularly since hoarding disorder is frequently related to OCD and anxiety disorders. To get more information about mental health treatment costs and discuss cost considerations further, reach out to us.

Statistics on Hoarding Disorder for Florida Residents

The National Library of Medicine reports that the prevalence of hoarding disorder is 2-6%, depending on age. F. The prevalence is on the higher end in adults over the age of 70.
Surveys at the national level suggest that there are 3,000 cases of animal hoarding yearly. Based on those numbers, The Florida Bar Journal concluded that Florida likely sees hundreds of cases of animal hoarding, involving thousands of mistreated animals.
Hoarding and OCD are linked, with 20% of individuals having both diagnoses. 75% of individuals also have another diagnosed mental health disorder.
The Florida Weekly, Naples edition news reports that only an estimated 5% of individuals living in hoarded spaces are reported.
Jennifer M. Park of the University of South Florida found that within family units, mothers were the ones who exhibited compulsive hoarding behavior the most, at 76%.
Researchers from The University of Florida have found that hoarding is diagnosed more than obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, across every country. It was the case in all these countries that excessive clutter was linked to physical harm, isolation, or death as a result of a house fire (25%).