Making Space for What Matters: Find Freedom from Clutter and Hoarding with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

If you hoard—or have a loved one who hoards—you may feel helpless, hopeless, or ashamed. The thought of letting go of belongings may fill you with anxiety, dread, or grief. And you may wonder if you’ll ever experience the freedom of living without the weight of this debilitating behavior. It’s important to know you are not alone, and that hoarding isn’t your fault. This book will help you find your way out of the clutter and chaos, and into the life you truly want.

Written by a team of mental health professionals and grounded in evidence-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), this book offers a values-based approach to finding lasting freedom from hoarding. Based on cutting-edge research, this book will help you unravel the stories your mind has created about you and your belongings. You’ll also discover how emotions and thoughts play a role in hoarding behaviors, and how you can declutter to live a life more closely aligned with your deepest values.

Most importantly, you’ll learn to move beyond feelings of shame and guilt that are associated with hoarding, and cultivate the self-compassion, self-awareness, and self-understanding needed to make real, lasting changes.