Kim Tremblay a Professional Organizer based out of London, Ontario and owner of Space For You, reached out to us at Organizers Connect to help shed light on helping clients declutter when they show symptoms of trauma — something professional organizers often encounter with their clients. We are delighted for her to share information, especially with her background and expertise in mental health, on this delicate subject. 2 minute read.
It is common for individuals who struggle with Clutter/Chronic Disorganization may also have a history of trauma and/or violence in their past. Helping our clients declutter can become more challenging on how to coach them through the decluttering and organization process. For example, vulnerability factors that can
put people at more risk can be as follows:
· Family history of hoarding (mother, father, grandmother, etc.) They likely have suffered from their own history of trauma.
· History of mental illness in the family (depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, bi-polar, etc.)
· Parental values and behaviour (ie: values about waste, obsessively neat, compulsive acquiring/saving, hand me downs, control over decisions (perfectionism), sentimentality.
· Physical obstacles (time, space, health, others living in the home)
· Traumatic events (loss of loved one, assaults and violence, moving, deprivation, divorce, birth of a child)
· Other factors such as loss of belongings (fire or flood), eviction, hospitalization, loss of contact with family members
“After a traumatic event a person can either try to cope using negative methods or learn to cope successfully and enhance their ability to cope in the future”
It can really depend on a person’s resiliency factors, supportive friends and family, community supports, personal resources like basic needs met, safe housing, etc. For example, some of the symptoms that may show up are:
· Difficulty thinking clearly – can be all over the place, not focused
· Feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and depression
· Physical and emotional clutter starts building up
· Lots of internal/intrusive thoughts and constant ruminating
· Emotional flooding – big feelings come out of nowhere
· No feelings at all and just being shut down (emotionally numb)
· Avoidance tendencies and wanting to isolate
· Triggers come up as they work on their stuff – being defensive or aloof
Some people will create a little nest around themselves as this can feel like their safe space making things and clutter become a problem. No one can hurt them here and it can feel like a way of keeping people (or relationships) out. Compulsive shopping, acquiring and difficulty discarding can become a way of coping with those uncomfortable emotions. Other addictive behaviours like drugs, alcohol, food can be a way that people cope and can really just make symptoms of overwhelm and disorganization worse. Moving items around, looking for their belongings, can be another way that people can distract themselves from the
pain they are thinking and feeling.
How can we as Professional Organizers help with clients showing these signs?
Understanding the emotional, physical and psychological effects and responses
that an individual might have is so important as you do our job. Some suggestions to help our job in guiding our clients through the organization & declutter process are:
· Open communication and creating a relaxed atmosphere for the client to feel comfortable during the organization process
· Get to know your client looking for commonalities and ways to connect
· Focus on your clients strengths and what they are doing well, giving them praise when they are doing well in making decisions
· Ask your client what they need to feel safe and calm. Help them come up with a list if needed
o “What can I do when you feel overwhelmed, when it’s all too much, etc.” Suggest them going for a walk, or a little dance to shake off the emotions, listening to music while organizing helps keep the mood light.
o You may suggest other forms of stress release after the organizing session such as, grounding, writing, art work, praying, etc.
· Help your client to create safety and comfort in their living space
· Grounding & breathwork exercises can be helpful if your client cannot settle themselves
· As you work with your client they may need to take breaks – shorter sessions also may be
beneficial (3-4 hour sessions are recommended)
o Go slow, start small and focused, then work on the next right thing. Encourage your client to honour all feelings as they go through the decluttering and organization process.
Reassure them that the uncomfortable feelings drift away as we work through them, space by space
· Doing what you say you are going to do and following through will help you to gain their trust and confidence in your knowledge and services
· Advocate for your client if needed
As Professional Organizers it goes without saying that we need to be compassionate, non judgmental, understanding, patient, take the clients lead, and work with the client wherever they are at
offering gentle help as needed.
Some valuable resources to further help you navigate helping our clients with signs of trauma:
· What is PTSD and Options for Treatment
· Trauma Informed Practice Guide
About the Author: Kim Tremblay of Space For You
Kim Tremblay launched the Space For You Blog in 2008 when she was working in a Mental Health Program. She started up a Clearing Clutter Support Group at that time and became the go to person for anyone who was in crisis due to chronic disorganization and Hoarding. Currently, Kim takes a holistic approach to the work that she does coaching clients virtually. Kim has been trained with both Professional Organizers in Canada and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization.
Interested in being a guest blogger for Organizers Connect? Contact us here!
