Hoarding Disorder Treatment in Rhode Island

Helping You Create Space -Both Within Your Home and Within Yourself

Specialized Expertise – Dr. Mancebo has over 25 years of experience using CBT to treat Hoarding Disorder.

At Birchview Center for OCD & Anxiety, we believe that hoarding is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. We understand that clutter problems worsen because people feel intense anxiety, fear, and shame. Feeling overwhelmed often leads to avoidance and can cause conflict with loved ones. Saving and excessive acquiring behaviors can lead to unsafe living conditions, strained relationships, and deep emotional distress. Our goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that helps you reclaim control over your space and your life.

Hoarding Disorder (HD) is a mental health condition that affects 2-4% of the population. It is known to worsen over time and problematic behaviors often worsen after loss (e.g. death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job). Most people with HD do not seek treatment until later in life.

We help you practice skills at home or in other cluttered spaces (e.g. your car, storage units). This may consist of telehealth or in person coaching sessions to help you make decisions, organize target areas, or use new coping tools when anxiety rises.

Structured groups focus on reducing excessive acquiring, developing decision-making skills, and practicing sorting and discarding strategies.

Our goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that helps you reclaim control over your space and your life.

Understanding Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding disorder affects people from all walks of life and is characterized by:

• Persistent difficulty discarding items, regardless of their actual value.

• Strong urges to save things and significant distress at the thought of letting go.

• Cluttered living spaces that become difficult—or even dangerous—to use as intended.

• Emotional attachment to possessions, often tied to memories, identity, or fear of losing something important.

Hoarding behaviors can worsen over time, making day-to-day living challenging and creating safety and health risks. Early, specialized treatment can help interrupt these patterns and support lasting change.

Our Approach to Hoarding Disorder Treatment

Birchview Center uses gold-standard, evidence-based therapies to address hoarding disorder, combining proven clinical methods with the individualized care of a dedicated team.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

   CBT helps identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns that drive saving behaviors. Clients learn to tolerate distress when discarding items and develop healthier decision-making skills.

2. Skills Training

   helps clients learn how to: (1) make decisions about possessions (2) organize items they choose to keep, and (3) use problem solving to address common issues that get in the way of decluttering. 

3. Motivational Interviewing

   We use motivational techniques to explore ambivalence, build readiness for change, and strengthen commitment to creating a safer, more functional space.

4. Peer Support Groups

   We offer therapist-facilitated groups to help clients connect with others who struggle with similar issues. Participating in a group often builds motivation and helps people feel less alone.

5. Family and Caregiver Support

   When appropriate, we provide education and coaching to loved ones to improve communication, reduce conflict, and encourage healthy boundaries.

What to Expect in Treatment

1. Comprehensive Assessment

   Treatment usually begins with 1-3 sessions to understand the mental health conditions that contribute to clutter problems. We will also ask you about your past experiences with treatments or interventions.

2. Personalized Treatment Plan

   Your plan may include CBT, ERP, motivational interviewing, and supplemental strategies like mindfulness. Sessions are tailored to your pace and readiness.

3. Practical Support Beyond the Office

   We may assign at-home practice tasks such as organizing small areas, discarding items with support, or using new coping tools when anxiety rises.

4. Progress Monitoring

   We regularly review your goals and adjust strategies to help you move forward and maintain your progress.

Specialized Services for Hoarding Disorder

• Virtual or In-Home Support: Secure telehealth sessions or, when clinically appropriate, in-home guidance to address real-life challenges.

• Family Education & Coaching: Resources to help loved ones support change without enabling hoarding behaviors.

• Skills Workshops: Structured groups that focus on reducing excessive acquiring, developing decision-making skills, and practicing sorting and discarding strategies.

Why Choose Birchview Center for OCD & Anxiety?

• Specialized Expertise – Every clinician is trained in CBT, the most effective therapy for hoarding disorder.

• Compassionate, Judgment-Free Environment – We know that shame and fear can keep people from seeking help. We meet every client with empathy and respect.

• Collaborative Care – We work closely with other healthcare providers and support systems as needed to ensure comprehensive treatment.

• Proven Results – Many clients experience meaningful change and improved quality of life with structured, evidence-based treatment.