I was posed a question from a client recently that I felt might warrant a more in-depth discussion for others who may be wondering the same thing: what is the difference between what a counsellor may do in the home versus a professional organizer? An interesting question given so much of the work completed within our program may appear from first glance to be a combination of the work completed by a professional organizer and a junk removal company. But appearances are certainly deceiving indeed as these are only a small fraction of the work completed within our program.
The main difference lays within the clients we support. Our clients are living with multiple issues and challenges that prevent some of the most simplistic tasks from being completed: severe depression, anxiety, personality disorders, addictions, OCD, medical fragility, physical disabilities, cognitive and intellectual disorders, personal hygiene issues, few life skills, etc. By no means exhaustive, this list is endless, overlapping, and requires a level of clinical experience to address the symptoms and behaviours commonly found with multiple disorders. That said, I have had the pleasure of working with a few very sensitive and understanding professional organizers who are well aware of the patience and unique approach required for appropriately supporting individuals living with severe compulsive hoarding. Most professional organizers will admit when they are over their heads as the client's resist their suggestions or terminate further services prematurely. Consistently I receive the feedback from clients that the professional organizer they attempted to work with "told them what to do" or wanted to complete the project in five days or less. Control is key to client success and as a counsellor, I recognize how precious a client's sense of control over their environment is to the therapeutic relationship and overall success of the clean-out process as a sustainable outcome. This takes time and dedication to relationship building with individuals who lack trust, social relationships, and overall stability.
Professional Organizers arrive with solutions and systems; both are extremely beneficial to address chronic disorganization with higher functioning and motivated clients. Having participated with Professional Organizers of Canada, I have observed the true benefit of systems and solutions for some clients and have certainly implemented some of the information for the clients I support. To ask the majority of the clients I support to complete a thorough clean-out based on their goals, at their pace, within their financial means, within their mental and physical capabilities, and still hope that whatever residential impact or personal growth was achieved would be sustained over the long term is unfortunately highly unlikely.
As with any profession, it will always be the experience, training, education, specialization that will determine the appropriateness of the services delivered and who should best provide those services. Professional Organizers with experience, clinical training and education in mental health can be a true asset. As a Counsellor, my focus is on the client's growth, long-term behaviour change, supporting recovery and maintaining change all while assisting with the residential clean-out through wholistic therapeutic processes.
The main difference lays within the clients we support. Our clients are living with multiple issues and challenges that prevent some of the most simplistic tasks from being completed: severe depression, anxiety, personality disorders, addictions, OCD, medical fragility, physical disabilities, cognitive and intellectual disorders, personal hygiene issues, few life skills, etc. By no means exhaustive, this list is endless, overlapping, and requires a level of clinical experience to address the symptoms and behaviours commonly found with multiple disorders. That said, I have had the pleasure of working with a few very sensitive and understanding professional organizers who are well aware of the patience and unique approach required for appropriately supporting individuals living with severe compulsive hoarding. Most professional organizers will admit when they are over their heads as the client's resist their suggestions or terminate further services prematurely. Consistently I receive the feedback from clients that the professional organizer they attempted to work with "told them what to do" or wanted to complete the project in five days or less. Control is key to client success and as a counsellor, I recognize how precious a client's sense of control over their environment is to the therapeutic relationship and overall success of the clean-out process as a sustainable outcome. This takes time and dedication to relationship building with individuals who lack trust, social relationships, and overall stability.
Professional Organizers arrive with solutions and systems; both are extremely beneficial to address chronic disorganization with higher functioning and motivated clients. Having participated with Professional Organizers of Canada, I have observed the true benefit of systems and solutions for some clients and have certainly implemented some of the information for the clients I support. To ask the majority of the clients I support to complete a thorough clean-out based on their goals, at their pace, within their financial means, within their mental and physical capabilities, and still hope that whatever residential impact or personal growth was achieved would be sustained over the long term is unfortunately highly unlikely.
As with any profession, it will always be the experience, training, education, specialization that will determine the appropriateness of the services delivered and who should best provide those services. Professional Organizers with experience, clinical training and education in mental health can be a true asset. As a Counsellor, my focus is on the client's growth, long-term behaviour change, supporting recovery and maintaining change all while assisting with the residential clean-out through wholistic therapeutic processes.
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