Self Help

Support Groups or Programs

Support groups and programs can assist with the management of excessive collecting or difficulty discarding items and its impact on quality of life by providing tips and practical strategies to help people manage clutter.

See below for further information, or visit our Events page.

Buried in Treasures Program

The Buried In Treasures Program is a 16-week self-help action group for people living with hoarding behaviour. Offering a judgment-free environment, the program encourages individuals to examine their hoarding practices and make positive changes to improve their quality of life and living environment.

There is no cost for the program however each participant needs to purchase their own copy of the book: Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving and Hoarding (Oxford University Press, 2013) prior to commencement. The cost of the book is approximately $25.

To register for the Buried In Treasures program, or for more information, please see below for relevant contacts.

For residents of Inner East municipalities (Boroondara, Monash, Whitehorse, Manningham):

Salvation Army SalvoCare

Phone: 13 SALVOS (13 72 58)

For residents of Outer East municipalities (Knox, Maroondah, Yarra Ranges):

Maroondah Council Aged and Disability Services

Phone: Paula or Rosemary on (03) 9294 5729

Email: maroondah@maroondah.vic.gov.au

Mind Australia

Phone: Jenny  0436 287 167

Less is More -Therapeutic Declutter Program

Maroondah Council offers a therapeutic program called Less Is More.  This evidenced-based approach in this program assists a person towards achieving a safe and functional living environment. The Occupational Therapist (OT) will work alongside you to attain YOUR goals. It is a non-judgmental cost-effective approach which lets you be in control/in charge/in the driver’s seat working at your pace to develop sustainable habits towards having a pleasant living space. There are many benefits to this intervention, which may include learning new skills and habits and referral to other relevant resources that may be of further assistance to you.

Eligibility criteria apply.

To enquire about the Less is More Program, or for more information, see contact information below.

Maroondah Council Aged and Disability Service

Phone: Paula or Rosemary on (03) 9294 5729

Peer Support Groups

Peer Support Groups are run by people with lived experience in hoarding and offer participants ongoing support and information in an informal setting.

Two support groups are currently running:

B.I.T.S (Buried in Treasures Support) Group

Meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 1pm-3pm (apart from January and Public Holidays).

Meetings are held at Federation Estate in the Federation Room, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood (walking distance from Ringwood Station). Free parking on site.

No bookings are necessary, and at every meeting a different topic of interest is discussed.

Please note: secondary to COVID-19 stage 4 restrictions this group is running virtually on Zoom.

For further information, contact Paula (Occupational Therapist) at Maroondah City Council on (03) 9294 5729.