Mental Health Education & Inspiration LLC
Mental Health Education & Inspiration LLC
Hi, I'm Becca!
I’m a mental health educator. I teach professionals across many disciplines: social workers, therapists, elder services staff, first responders, animal welfare teams, housing personnel, resident service coordinators, health departments, sanitation, children and family services, and more.
I’m a public speaker. I talk to groups of all shapes and sizes, around the world, about the many facets of hoarding disorder, and other mental health conditions, too. I have extensive lived experience as a family member of someone with hoarding disorder, and as someone who has overcome compulsive acquiring personally.
I work one on one and with groups of all sizes. I consult on individual cases and I also facilitate intervention, support , and wellness recovery groups. I serve on the Western Massachusetts Hoarding Disorder Resource Network, statewide steering committee, and national and international organizations as well. I am annually featured by the International OCD Foundation as a support group leader, presenter, and conference planning committee member.
I bridge the work and experiences of clinicians, researchers, individuals with mental health challenges, and their family members, too. I aim to increase awareness and understanding, and to decrease stigma. I specialize in hoarding disorder (HD), and also provide peer support and talks on topics that include depression with and without suicidal ideation, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), attention deficit disorder (ADD), chronic disorganization, grief, autism, and aging.
Hi, I'm Becca!
I’m a public speaker and mental health educator specializing in hoarding disorder (HD). I work to increase awareness and decrease stigma, bridging the work of clinicians, researchers and individuals with mental health challenges.
I am passionate about giving people the tools needed to effectively manage HD and other mental health challenges, so that they make lifestyle changes that result in emotioanlly and physically safer, healthier, happer, less cluttered lives.
Hi, I'm Becca!
I’m a mental health educator. I teach professionals across many disciplines: social workers, therapists, elder services staff, first responders, animal welfare teams, housing personnel, resident service coordinators, health departments, sanitation, children and family services, and more.
I’m a public speaker. I talk to groups of all shapes and sizes, around the world, about the many facets of hoarding disorder, and other mental health conditions, too. I have extensive lived experience as a family member of someone with hoarding disorder, and as someone who has overcome compulsive acquiring personally.
I work one on one and with groups of all sizes. I consult on individual cases and I also facilitate intervention, support , and wellness recovery groups. I serve on the Western Massachusetts Hoarding Disorder Resource Network, statewide steering committee, and national and international organizations as well. I am annually featured by the International OCD Foundation as a support group leader, presenter, and conference planning committee member.
I bridge the work and experiences of clinicians, researchers, individuals with mental health challenges, and their family members, too. I aim to increase awareness and understanding, and to decrease stigma. I specialize in hoarding disorder (HD), and also provide peer support and talks on topics that include depression with and without suicidal ideation, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), attention deficit disorder (ADD), chronic disorganization, grief, autism, and aging.
Becca Belofsky is at the forefront of mental health education. She is a tireless worker promoting the welfare of patients with lived experience of mental illness and their families. Over the past 10 years, her leadership has been instrumental in establishing the Western Massachusetts Hoarding Resource Network. She has facilitated numerous Buried in Treasures Workshops for people with HD (both in-person and virtually). She co-edited the Facilitator Guide for the Workshop and developed a facilitator training program based on the Guide. Becca has been, and continues to be, on the steering committee for the International OCD Foundation Hoarding Conference. Her numerous workshops and support groups have been a mainstay of the conference. Her strength is in working with professionals, family members, and peers in how to deal with hoarding disorder and related problems. The range of her services is broad covering health care, housing, elder services, and mental health. I have worked with her throughout her career and never cease to be amazed by her talent and dedication.
-Randy O. Frost, PhD Harold Edward and Elsa Siipola Israel Professor Emeritus of Psychology Smith College
Becca Belofsky is at the forefront of mental health education. She is a tireless worker promoting the welfare of patients with lived experience of mental illness and their families. Over the past 10 years, her leadership has been instrumental in establishing the Western Massachusetts Hoarding Resource Network. She has facilitated numerous Buried in Treasures Workshops for people with HD (both in-person and virtually). She co-edited the Facilitator Guide for the Workshop and developed a facilitator training program based on the Guide. Becca has been, and continues to be, on the steering committee for the International OCD Foundation Hoarding Conference. Her numerous workshops and support groups have been a mainstay of the conference. Her strength is in working with professionals, family members, and peers in how to deal with hoarding disorder and related problems. The range of her services is broad covering health care, housing, elder services, and mental health. I have worked with her throughout her career and never cease to be amazed by her talent and dedication.
-Randy O. Frost, PhD Harold Edward and Elsa Siipola Israel Professor Emeritus of Psychology Smith College
News and Upcoming Events
Massachusetts Council on Aging Conference
“Taking Charge of Change” Annual Fall Conference
DoubleTree by Hilton | Danvers, Massachusetts
October 11-13, 2023
https://mcoaonline.com/2023-fall-conference/
JOIN ME! Wednesday, October 11 – Session II – 1:15-2:30pm (in person only)
W2-7 HOARDING’S IMPACT ON THE FAMILY Oftentimes family are asked to help when a loved one’s hoarding and clutter reach problematic levels. Rarely though, are family looked at as individuals who need empathy and assistance themselves, be it in the home or separately from it. Join me to learn how “the stuff” hurts people who need help, be they partners, children, or extended family, as we consider compassion for ALL parties, while discussing health and safety measures.
Institute for Challenging Disorganization
Thursday, November 16 2:00 PM (EST)
Health & Safety for Children in a Hoarded Home for ICD subscribers
A New Frontier in Hoarding Research- Loneliness, April 2023
“High levels of loneliness in people with hoarding disorder”
Authors:
Keong Yap,
Kiara R. Timpano,
Simone Isemann,
Jeanette Svehla,
Jessica R. Grisham
News and Upcoming Events
Massachusetts Council on Aging Conference
“Taking Charge of Change” Annual Fall Conference
DoubleTree by Hilton | Danvers, Massachusetts
October 11-13, 2023
https://mcoaonline.com/2023-fall-conference/
JOIN ME! Wednesday, October 11 – Session II – 1:15-2:30pm (in person only)
W2-7 HOARDING’S IMPACT ON THE FAMILY Oftentimes family are asked to help when a loved one’s hoarding and clutter reach problematic levels. Rarely though, are family looked at as individuals who need empathy and assistance themselves, be it in the home or separately from it. Join me to learn how “the stuff” hurts people who need help, be they partners, children, or extended family, as we consider compassion for ALL parties, while discussing health and safety measures.
Institute for Challenging Disorganization
Thursday, November 16 2:00 PM (EST) online
Health & Safety for Children in a Hoarded Home for ICD subscribers
A New Frontier in Hoarding Research- Loneliness, April 2023
“High levels of loneliness in people with hoarding disorder”
Authors:
Keong Yap,
Kiara R. Timpano,
Simone Isemann,
Jeanette Svehla,
Jessica R. Grisham
Testimonials
Julie Schwager
Western Massachusetts Area Director, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
“I have had the privilege to be in spaces where Becca was talking about the challenges that people face when they have family members who hoard. She brings optimism and hope to an often bleak situation. She inspires providers that work with people with hoarding disorder to think differently, break out of fear and look to solutions.
I would recommend her to any family that comes to me looking for help with hoarding disorder.”
Melissa Horton
Brisbane Hoarding and Squalor Strategy Group & Centacare Specialist Cleaning Service, Community Managed Mental Health Service Manager
“I have had the honour of working with Becca professionally a few times in Australia and follow her work in the USA. Becca has a network of associates and connections that she can easily connect with, she is also quite a ‘match maker’ so make sure you tell her plans and needs so that she can guide you in the right direction.
I have no hesitation in recommending Becca to work with you on any teaching and learning projects, her insights into many mental health conditions and learnings from this are what many programs need. Participants will connect with her warmth and genuine compassion whilst learning through a well planned and resourced training course.”
Melissa Norberg
Professor and Director, Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie University; National President, Association of Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy
“Becca is an extremely knowledgeable and engaging speaker. Her talk forever etched in mind to not forget about loved ones. Hoarding affects more than the just the person with strong object attachment, it causes problems for everyone living within the home.
Becca has a strong desire to learn more and to pass down all the knowledge that she has acquired. I enjoy collaborating with Becca precisely because of her inquisitive mind and compassion.”
Melissa Norberg
Professor and Director, Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie University; National President, Association of Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy
“Becca is an extremely knowledgeable and engaging speaker. Her talk forever etched in mind to not forget about loved ones. Hoarding affects more than the just the person with strong object attachment, it causes problems for everyone living within the home.
Becca has a strong desire to learn more and to pass down all the knowledge that she has acquired. I enjoy collaborating with Becca precisely because of her inquisitive mind and compassion.”
Julie Schwager
“I have had the privilege to be in spaces where Becca was talking about the challenges that people face when they have family members who hoard. She brings optimism and hope to an often bleak situation. She inspires providers that work with people with hoarding disorder to think differently, break out of fear and look to solutions.
I would recommend her to any family that comes to me looking for help with hoarding disorder.”
Melissa Horton
“I have had the honour of working with Becca professionally a few times in Australia and follow her work in the USA. Becca has a network of associates and connections that she can easily connect with, she is also quite a ‘match maker’ so make sure you tell her plans and needs so that she can guide you in the right direction.
I have no hesitation in recommending Becca to work with you on any teaching and learning projects, her insights into many mental health conditions and learnings from this are what many programs need. Participants will connect with her warmth and genuine compassion whilst learning through a well planned and resourced training course.”
Testimonials
Melissa Norberg
Professor and Director, Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie University; National President, Association of Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy
“Becca is an extremely knowledgeable and engaging speaker. Her talk forever etched in mind to not forget about loved ones. Hoarding affects more than the just the person with strong object attachment, it causes problems for everyone living within the home.
Becca has a strong desire to learn more and to pass down all the knowledge that she has acquired. I enjoy collaborating with Becca precisely because of her inquisitive mind and compassion.”
Julie Schwager
Western Massachusetts Area Director, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
“I have had the privilege to be in spaces where Becca was talking about the challenges that people face when they have family members who hoard. She brings optimism and hope to an often bleak situation. She inspires providers that work with people with hoarding disorder to think differently, break out of fear and look to solutions.
I would recommend her to any family that comes to me looking for help with hoarding disorder.”
Melissa Horton
Brisbane Hoarding and Squalor Strategy Group & Centacare Specialist Cleaning Service, Community Managed Mental Health Service Manager
“I have had the honour of working with Becca professionally a few times in Australia and follow her work in the USA. Becca has a network of associates and connections that she can easily connect with, she is also quite a ‘match maker’ so make sure you tell her plans and needs so that she can guide you in the right direction.
I have no hesitation in recommending Becca to work with you on any teaching and learning projects, her insights into many mental health conditions and learnings from this are what many programs need. Participants will connect with her warmth and genuine compassion whilst learning through a well planned and resourced training course.”
Organizations I've Worked With
Organizations I've Worked With
You Might Wonder...
What is Hoarding Disorder?
Hoarding disorder is characterized by an intense attachment to many belongings and extreme distress about letting go of things. The accumulation of possessions becomes so great that life is affected, not only how one manages around the home, but often relationships, too. Sometimes people are actively acquiring things regularly, too, but not always.
Hoarding only affects older adults, right?
No! This is a misconception because people are often seeking help in their 50’s, 60’s, and up, after they’ve been in a home for a long time when things have built up to an overwhelming degree. HOWEVER, hoarding behavior can begin in late adolescence and amp up in one’s 20’s and 30’s and 40’s. Adults of all ages should be welcomed to get help with hoarding tendencies, ideally, before major life difficulties result.
What about the “h-word”?
TV popularized the word “hoarder,” but it’s not a term that I and most professionals who I respect in the field use. Hoarding is a behavior, not an identity. Instead of calling someone a hoarder, I use language like “a person with hoarding disorder,” or “someone with hoarding behaviors.” I don’t find the need or benefit in calling people by a term that often has extreme, negative associations thanks to the work of the entertainment industry. That’s a label, not a professional term.
Can people who hoard get better?
Absolutely!! I wouldn’t be doing what I do if this were not the case! It’s a matter of helping people alter their thinking about objects and the feelings associated with them, and making behavioral changes. Addressing hoarding disorder and overkeeping tendencies requires lifestyle change, but it’s for the positive and must be worked on without blame, shame, and criticism. It’s an amazing feeling to witness people make hard changes and experiencing the great benefits that result.