And in 2004, I left to start my own private practice. I was the director of the clinic from 1998-2000. I started off working at a chemical dependency clinic in Detroit. I’ve been a social worker and addiction therapist since 1997. How long have you been working in the field of Compulsive Theft, Spending, and Hoarding? How exactly did you get started? I’m always fascinated by human behavior and wanted to learn more so I began reading every book on hoarding, researching online, taking what few seminars there were and have now been counseling hoarders for about 6 years.Ģ. I’ve had other relatives and friends who have had hoarding tendencies, too. Then I got wind of the cable TV shows and found that many of my clients who had problems with stealing and overshopping often hoarded things. I got interested in hoarding when my middle brother began exhibiting symptoms of this disorder. I am the author or four recovery-related books on the topics of shoplifting, employee theft, shopping/spending, and hoarding. (Cleptomaniacs And Shoplifters Anonymous) in 1992. I am in recovery myself since 1990 for addictive-compulsive shoplifting and stealing and started the support group C.A.S.A. I am the Founder/Director of The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft, Spending and Hoarding. I’m a native Detroiter, married 12 years, no kids, just turned 49 years old and have been an attorney for 22 years and a licensed certified social worker and addictions therapist. Can you briefly introduce yourself and your story in 2-3 paragraphs? Terrence, thank you so much for joining us. And I think there is great value in Terrence’s insight for all of us to better understand the disorder and how to help.ġ.

You probably have too: “My mom was a hoarder,” or “I think my husband might be a hoarder.” I was anxious to ask Terrence some clarifying questions about the word.īut rather than keeping the information to myself, I want to publish it here. In both my inbox and private conversations, I hear the word “hoarder” thrown around often. When Terrence told me he worked in the field of Compulsive Theft, Spending, and Hoarding, I knew I wanted to ask him some questions. As is typically the case, we found time before and after the interview to chat and introduce ourselves. This past summer, I sat on a panel with Terrence Shulman discussing overshopping and consumerism on Huffington Post Live.

Stuff by randy o frost