A unique perspective in hoarding intervention: Occupational therapy’s role

Hoarding disorder (HD), which affects approximately 2% to 6% of the U.S. population (International OCD Foundation, n.d.), is influenced by genetic, psychiatric, and environmental factors (Flage, 2024). Yet, the literature has highlighted a deficiency in occupational therapy interventions tailored to address HD (Clarke, 2019). The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (OTPF-4; American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2020) states that all aspects of the domain interact to support engagement, participation, and health. The process is the client-centered delivery of occupational therapy services (i.e., evaluation and interventions). During delivery of occupational therapy services, the domain and process interact to facilitate opportunities for clients to engage in occupations that promote optimal life experiences (AOTA, 2020). This article offers a promising hoarding intervention for occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) that promotes participation in health management, work, and social engagement as well as support for including OTPs on mental health interdisciplinary teams that treat HD or hoarding tendencies (Andrew® Mellen, 2024).