Organizing, Hoarding & Cluttering: Start Here
When I researched this topic, I remembered that my mother, Jeanne Shorr, was one of the Los Angeles women involved in the early professional organizing movement and NAPO history. That makes this page personal to me, not just another insurance page.
Many visitors click the clutter photo examples first because pictures make it easier to recognize the difference between ordinary mess, chronic disorganization, and a possible hoarding problem. If your current image chart is below, this is a good place to keep it near the top of the page.
Mild clutter: a professional organizer, family help, or a written clean-up plan may be enough.
Moderate clutter: help may include a professional organizer, support group, therapy, or coaching to prevent the clutter from returning.
Severe hoarding: this may involve a mental health condition, safety issues, housing risk, family conflict, or medical concerns. Therapy and behavioral health treatment may be appropriate.
Health insurance generally does not pay for housecleaning, junk removal, or professional organizing. But insurance may help pay for mental health treatment, therapy, behavioral health care, or related treatment if the clutter is connected to anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, hoarding disorder, or another covered condition.
#NAPO (National Assoc. of Professional Organizers)
Jeanne Shorr – Founder (Steve’s Mother)
- The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), launched in 1983 by a small group of women in Los Angeles, now boasts 4,000 members who go into homes, help owners figure out what’s worth keeping and push them to purge the rest. See article in Time Magazine.
- 1983 – A group working as professional organizers began to meet informally in Los Angeles and decided to give their meetings a name, the Association of Professional Organizers (APO).
- 1985 – The association formalized by electing officers, who later that year would be named the founding members: Beverly Clower, Stephanie Culp, Ann Gambrell, Maxine Ordesky, and Jeanie Shorr. (Steve’s Mother)
AA’s 12 STEPS, INCLUDING #POWERFUL 4 TH STEP WORKSHEETS
Herb K's workbook
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Dr. Oz Video De Clutter youtube.com
Big Bang Theory – Fortress of Shame VIDEO
More Videos
- Ted Talks – Jennifer discovered the ten-item wardrobe concept VIDEO while living in Paris with Madame Chic and her family. In this talk she shares her endearing story, tips on how you can make a ten-item wardrobe work for you, and why
- Story of Stuff
- Full Box Shredding
- Getting Rid of Mental Clutter – Not giving a F*** Ted Talks
- Facebook Video Tour – No clutter – He’s taken “my advice” what if all your stuff is lost or destroyed, what would you replace? If you wouldn’t replace it, get rid of it now. LA Times 11.24.2016 .
How to #clear clutter
Letting Go
- 34 + items to toss
- Why we obsess over clearing out stuff
‘Swedish death cleaning’ is less about sparing our loved ones from hassle, and more about how we’re remembered Read More LA Times - marcandangel.com/5-things-you-should-know-about-letting-go/
- marcandangel.com/8-effective-ways-to-let-go-and-move-on/
- real homes.com/15-minute-declutter-method-for-any-room
- Can Occupational Therapy Address the Occupational Implications of Hoarding?
- ot everyday.ca/theres-help-for-hoarding
- Hoarding Scale – Activities of Daily Living
- uphomes.com/decluttering-downsizing-guide-hoarders
- Homeless and hoarding in L.A.: The special struggles and anxieties of unhoused people
- Depression and Cleaning: How to Tackle House Cleaning if You’re Struggling Everyday Health.com 1/2025
#Organization & Storage Solutions
- The Container Store
- home-storage-solutions-101.com/decluttering
- Get Organized Wizard.com
- social work today.com
- hope organizers.com
- Shredding
- professional shredding services.com so cal shred.com
- Speakers
- Resources & Links
- bustle.com/red-flags-to-watch-out-for-when-you-go-over-to-someones-place
- Face to Face Meetings LA Area
- Find a Hoarding Therapists in CA Psychology Today
#Resources & Information on OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- International OCD Foundation iocdf.org
- OCD Los Angeles
- renewed freedom center.com
- Anxiety Disorders
- OCD Support Group
- Gate Way OCD Institute – a new beginning 714.549.1030
- Los Angeles Body Dysmorphic Disorder & Body Image Clinic
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Mental Health - Related Pages
- Mental Health – ACA/Health Reform Mandated Essential Benefit
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