Discover how starting hoarding disorder therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
4 therapists available in Henrico
Patricia "Tricia" McCarty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who enjoys helping people work through life transitions, addiction...
About
Patricia "Tricia" McCarty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who enjoys helping people work through life transitions, addiction, grief/loss, chronic illness/pain, anxiety, depression, stress, and low self-esteem. Tricia uses a humanistic approach and a variety of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, strength-based, narrative, acceptance and commitment, expressive art as therapy, and positive psychotherapy.
Tricia completed her Master of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University. She will actively listen, help you gain perspective, explore with you what is keeping you from becoming the best version of yourself, and make a plan that will empower you to reach your goals.
“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety” (Abraham Maslow). Sometimes what feels safe, comfortable, and familiar, is actually unhealthy; change can be hard and the unknown scary. Do you feel stuck, repeating toxic patterns or negative thinking? Have life events or stress become overwhelming or seem unmanageable? Maybe you just need a supportive space to talk about what you’re going through and how you are feeling.
Education and training
View more therapists in Henrico
A firm believer in people’s potential for change and growth, I am passionate about helping clients feel empowered, more focused, a...
A firm believer in people’s potential for change and growth, I am passionate about helping clients feel empowered, more focused, and more energized to tackle their problems.
Ashley Costello is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 10 years of experience. She specializes in helping adults navigate anxiety, stress management, phase-of-life changes, depression, trauma, grief and loss, substance abuse, and relationship or communication challenges. Ashley is passionate about supporting clients through life’s transitions with compassion, insight, and evidence-based care.
Ashley earned a BA in Psychology from The College of William & Mary and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Washington University. She has experience in addiction recovery, crisis management, psychoeducation, and group therapy, using a strengths-based, individualized, and holistic approach.
Ashley is committed to meeting you where you are, providing a safe and supportive space for emotional work, and empowering you to achieve a higher quality of life. Her goal is to help you build resilience, foster growth, and create lasting positive change.
Jennifer Brown (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia with more than 15 years of experience working with folk...
Jennifer Brown (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia with more than 15 years of experience working with folks across a wide variety, including children, families, couples, and individual adults seeking support in dealing with anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences, abuse/neglect, self-injury, suicidal thoughts/urges, substance use/addiction needs, relationships, and family issues. She takes an open-minded, affirming, supportive approach and values the opportunity to give others time and safe space to openly be themselves as they seek connection, happiness, and fulfillment.
Jennifer utilizes a collaborative, person-centered approach in her work, and has a variety of methods at hand to put into practice, depending on her clients' needs and preferences -- including cognitive behavioral (CBT), motivational, dialectical (DBT), mindfulness/meditation, emotion focused (EFT), solution focused, polyvagal, and EMDR.
With an undergraduate background in math, astronomy, and physics, Jennifer is used to expanding her awareness and thinking about things from differing perspectives. She sees her purpose as to follow your lead and put appropriate, available tools to work in order to help you elevate your consciousness and achieve your goals.
Wendy Wasserstrom is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 9 years of social work experience. She has provided mental hea...
Wendy Wasserstrom is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 9 years of social work experience. She has provided mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, and she has experience providing individual and group therapy. She has worked with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, substance abuse, and family conflict.
Wendy earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Florida State University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University. She has worked in a variety of settings, providing services in the community, outpatient settings, and public schools. An area of particular passion includes working with young adults with a wide variety of presenting concerns including depression, anxiety, substance use, self-injury, trauma, and sexual assault recovery.
Wendy utilizes a wide range of therapeutic techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, strength-based, solution-focused, and motivational interviewing. Wendy realizes that each person is unique and tailors her therapeutic approach to each client. Her approach to therapy is person-centered and involves meeting her clients where they are. She approaches clients with compassion and acceptance. Wendy believes that therapy requires vulnerability and courage and works to create a safe setting for that work to occur.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
Not ready to book? Contact me
Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.
No membership fees or subscriptions
Evening and weekend sessions
Award-winning therapy & psychiatry
What support are you seeking?
You acknowledge that by submitting this form, you are providing what may be considered “sensitive data” and consent to Thriveworks Privacy Policy & Terms. By submitting this information, you consent to receive communication from Thriveworks about our services via automatic calls, artificial or pre-recorded messages, or texts at the phone number provided, or by email at the address provided. You have the option to opt out of communications.
We will contact you with availability updates based on the preferences you provided for up to six months.
Hoarding disorder therapy is a well-organized treatment approach aimed at helping individuals dealing with hoarding disorder, which involves accumulating lots of stuff and struggling to let go. During these sessions, people usually team up with a therapist to dive into what’s behind their hoarding habits, come up with practical ways to clear the clutter, and deal with the emotions and psychology tied to hoarding.
Hoarding disorder therapy often involves Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to challenge and change unhelpful thought patterns, and exposure therapy to gradually reduce anxiety associated with discarding possessions. One of our therapists will work closely with you to set achievable goals for decluttering, teaching you practical organization and decision-making skills. The overall aim is to improve your quality of life, reduce distress, and enhance your ability to maintain a safe and functional living environment.
Hoarding disorder therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
In hoarding disorder therapy with one of our therapists in Henrico, we typically employ a series of sessions that can span from several weeks to several months. The specific number is worked out together between the client and therapist, and it can be adapted based on how the individual is progressing and the complexity of their hoarding challenges.
Many people immediately think of the TLC Special: Buried Alive when they think of hoarding. While this show does depict the most extreme cases of the disorder. Many people live with less dramatic but still troublesome symptoms of the disorder which left untreated can negatively affect all areas of an individual’s life and relationships.
Hoarding is a mental health condition that causes people to collect objects in large quantities. The items grow in numbers and begin to clutter the living spaces in a person’s home.
People who hoard collect a variety of things. The first step in helping someone who is a compulsive hoarder is to understand what hoarding is. While many people think hoarders collect only junk or garbage, this is far from the truth. In some cases, those who hoard will intentionally buy items to collect. Some hoarding is limited to specific objects such as dolls, newspapers, or old memorabilia. Many people who hoard feel the items they collect can be useful in the future. They may also collect things that have sentimental value. The distinct characteristic that distinguishes hoarding from collecting involves the disposable of these items. Those who hoard have a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with the items they collect because of their perceived need to save them. A person who hoards will experience mental distress at the thought of throwing items away. They often do not see a problem with the clutter. In severe cases, a person who hoards will feel attached to the objects they collect and believe those objects have feelings as well.
Hoarding typically falls is to one of three categories:
While there is no known cause for compulsive hoarding, several factors have been linked to the disorder. Some triggers of hoarding symptoms have been identified as family history, substance abuse, and experiencing a traumatic event, like the death of a loved, divorce, loss of a job, or abuse.
Hoarding is typically identified as the symptom of a larger mental health condition. Studies have shown links between hoarding and depression, anxiety, social isolation, ADHD, stress, or chemical dependency. While hoarding was once identified as a symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder, it is now listed as a separate condition. Although it is now distinct, some of the symptoms of hoarding and OCD overlap and co-occur. Hoarding can also develop with other mental health conditions such as dementia or schizophrenia.
A person who hoards might show signs as early as their teen years. Compulsive hoarding usually manifests in childhood and worsens as a person ages. Signs of hoarding are:
Social isolation, strained relationships, legal and financial problems, credit card debt and in extreme cases property damage are some of the consequences of untreated hoarding.
The treatment of hoarding is often ongoing and may be slow moving. Since those who hoard are often anxious by nature, and do not always see a problem with their lifestyle, treatment can be a scary and invasive process. Those who hoard can benefit from a step-by-step approach developed with a Thriveworks Henrico Counselor who has knowledge of hoarding symptoms, underlying emotional conditions and it’s treatment.
During your first sessions with a Thriveworks Henrico Hoarding Counselor a complete assessment including the administration of evidenced based tool such as the Hoarding Scale, Saving Inventory or the ADL-Hoarding or Compulsive Hoarding Rating Scale will be conducted. Areas of vulnerability, beliefs about one’s possessions and exploration of the positive and negative emotions experienced from acquiring and saving possessions will be used to develop an intervention plan.
Your Thriveworks Henrico Counselor can then work with you or your loved one to decrease the distress of discarding items, practice discarding and non acquiring of items. These unhealthy practices can then be replaced with more effective emotional management, organizational and decision-making skills.
Why allow hoarding steal more time from those you love. Call a Thriveworks Henrico Counselor today to schedule an assessment. Let’s get started!
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Shown in ET
Call us to book
Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session.
Book online
Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps.