By Jen Cazares, CPO-CD®, CVOP™ 
 

When I tell people I specialize in hoarding, extreme clutter, and chronic disorganization, I often get the same response:  

“Wow… that must be hard. Why do you do it?” 

Yes—it is hard. 

I do “it” because it’s also the most rewarding, transformative, human work I’ve ever done. 

I’m passionate about helping individuals and families who are overwhelmed by years—sometimes decades—of accumulated stuff. But what I really help people sort through is grief, shame, trauma, neurodivergence, and unmet needs that have physically manifested in their space. 

This is not your average junk drawer situation. It’s deep work, and I’m honored to be trusted in it. 

A Glimpse into the Work: One Client’s Story 

One of my clients—we’ll call him Hank—had his adult daughter intervene, worried for his safety and mental well-being. Hank’s home was filled floor-to-ceiling with items he had collected over a lifetime: art supplies, clothes, broken electronics, unopened mail dating back ten years, and more! 

Hank’s story was one of the most impactful transformations I’ve witnessed and is featured in my book, Making the SHiFT®. When I met him, his granddaughter wasn’t allowed in his home due to health and safety concerns, which revealed the “S” in SHiFT®—Social connection—as our guiding purpose. We worked to reconnect him with family, even setting up a tablet with Facebook so he could reengage with his siblings. As we uncovered family photos damaged by rodents and pet urine, he realized the health hazards—addressing “H” for Health and Safety—and how these conditions affected not only his well-being but his granddaughter’s, too. Over time, Hank reclaimed his Identity, invested in his home, and established sustainable routines, embodying every pillar of SHiFT® with courage, clarity, and heart. 

To an outsider, it looked like chaos. But to Hank, every item told a story—of a past life, a missed opportunity, or a hopeful “maybe someday.”  

What Hank needed wasn’t just a clean-out. He needed someone who could see him, not just the clutter. 

We started slowly, building trust and identifying his goals. I asked questions: 

• What do you want this space to do for you? 
• What is your WHY? 
• What do you want your legacy to look like? 

When I work with clients living in extreme clutter, I listen closely for clues that align with the SHiFT® framework—Social connection, Health & safety, Identity, Finances, and Time. These insights guide how I organize, prioritize, and support meaningful progress that’s rooted in each client’s unique story.  

Together, we began to untangle the connection between his identity and his possessions. 

He once told me, with tears in his eyes, “I didn’t know I could let go of things and still keep who I am.” 

That’s when I knew: this is why I do what I do. 

My Niche: Chronic Disorganization and the SHiFT® Method 

I’m a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization® and a Certified Virtual Organizing Professional™. My niche lies at the intersection of clutter and compassion. 

I developed the SHiFT® Method as a holistic framework to guide individuals—and the professionals who support them—through the complexities of chronic disorganization. It’s built on five pillars: 

• S – Social Connection: Addressing isolation and rebuilding support systems. 
• H – Health & Safety: Using harm reduction strategies to stabilize the environment. 
• i – Identity: Understanding how self-worth and identity are entangled in possessions.  
• F – Finances: Recognizing how clutter impacts money management and decision-making. 
• T – Time: Creating sustainable routines, even with executive dysfunction or ADHD. 

Through consulting, public speaking, and training, I support not only clients but also fiduciaries, estate attorneys, landlords, therapists, social workers, and organizers navigating these challenges with others. 

Gentle Truths for Families Who Feel Stuck 

If you’re a family member trying to help someone you love, here are a few gentle truths I’ve learned along the way: 

• Clutter is often the symptom, not the root. Start by listening! 
• Tough love rarely works—but compassionate boundaries do. 
• Progress is not linear. Celebrate small wins. 
• Your loved one is not broken. They may be overwhelmed, grieving, or neurodivergent—and they need understanding, not shame. 

First Steps That Can Make a Difference 

For those feeling stuck, start here: 

1. Get curious, not confrontational. Ask, “How can I support you?” or “Tell me why this is so meaningful to you?” instead of “Why can’t you just get rid of this?” or “You don’t need it!” 

2. Seek out professionals trained in chronic disorganization. It’s okay if you’re in over your head—many organizers are, too. (You can find a NAPO hoarding expert near you on the Find A Pro directory).  

3. Don’t wait for a crisis. Intervention doesn’t have to be dramatic. Earlier is almost always better. 

Why This Work Matters—And Why I Want to Talk About It 

Most people affected by chronic disorganization don’t call for help until a crisis forces their hand:  

	eviction
	fire risk
	family ultimatums
	grief or loss

But what if we could intervene earlier? 
 

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone 

If you’re an organizer looking to better support clients with ADHD, hoarding behaviors, or executive dysfunction, you’re not alone. This work can be heavy—but with the right training, it can also be healing. 

And if you love someone with hoarding disorder, remember to lead with compassion and without shame. 

We can validate people who are suffering by being the ones who say, “I see you—and I can help.” 

No shame in asking for help. Use our directory to find a NAPO pro near you who specializes in exactly what you need: napo.empowereddirectory.com.

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Meet the author, Jen Cazares