Many of you reading this blog have been calling and emailing asking me about the collaborative processes I’ve mentioned and how I get started working with a hoarder. I can only speak from my own perspective and tell you how this professional organizer begins. It is important to remember that each organizer does things her own way and there is no one-size-fits-all way to go about this.
Below, I’ve posted a few questions that I typically ask during an initial telephone screening and/or referral. After the telephone questions, I usually do an in-person, individual assessment and ask a lot more questions.
To start a conversation with a mental health professional or an organizer, you might want to think about these questions and share your answers with her/him.
Is there a pending crisis or deadline that you must meet?
What are your goals?
Why are you seeking help?
These can be really simple goals but please be specific.
Are you working with a therapist?
Are you willing to work with a therapist?
What made you decide to seek help?
(social worker, fire department, neighbors, landlord, or you decided on your own)
Does your current home have staircases?
A basement? A garage? An attic? Are they full?
Do you have a storage unit?
If so, how many, what are the sizes and how full is it?
Can you cook and clean in your kitchen?
Stove? Microwave? Sink? Dishwasher working?
Do you Shower in your bathroom?
Sleep in your bed?
Do you have pets? If so, how many?
Are you going through any transitions right now?
Grief? Pregnancy? Divorce?
What days and hours are you available to work on organizing-related tasks?
Do you have a budget for this project?
Are you obese or immobile?
Do you have trouble with shortness of breath, asthma or any other physical health-related challenges that I need to know about when we work together?
Do you have any health-related situations that I (the organizer) need to know about?
Do you have a history of anxiety disorders?
Thanks for the great resource!