TO:                         State Mental Health                         Commissioners/Directors

State Mental Health Planners

NASMHPD Medical Directors Council

NASMHP Older Adults Division Representatives

State Mental Health Office of Consumer Affairs Administrators

FROM:  Brian M. Hepburn, M.D., Executive Director, NASMHPD

RE:                          Webinar – The Buried in Treasures Workshop:  Addressing the Needs of Persons Struggling with Hoarding Disorder and Clutter

Clich here to view the webinar!  Hope you enjoy it, we'd love your feedback!

 Please join us for an informational webinar sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

Presenters:  

Ø  Lee Shuer and Becca Belofsky, Mutual Support Consulting, LLC

Ø  Randy Frost, PhD, Smith College

Ø  Robert Walker, Massachusetts Dept. of Mental Health Office of Recovery and Empowerment

Description:  While strides have been made in developing therapy for hoarding and clutter problems, obstacles sometimes prevent people from getting treatment.  These impediments include the lack of availability of trained therapists, the costs associated with therapy, failure of providers to recognize it as a clinical issue, or the personal reluctance to engage in treatment. Alternative strategies can provide help in such circumstances. This webinar will focus on the Buried in Treasures Workshops, which are peer or clinician led workshops that have been found to produce significant improvements in hoarding behavior and have been adopted in many countries around the world. Dr. Randy O. Frost is the Harold and Elsa Siipola Israel Professor of Psychology at Smith College and coauthor of the book Buried in Treasures on which the workshop is based. He is an internationally recognized expert on obsessive-compulsive disorder and hoarding disorder and has published more than 170 scientific articles, books, and book chapters on hoarding and related topics. Mr Lee Shuer and Ms. Bec Belofsky Shuer. run Mutual Support Consulting.  Mr. Shuer is a Certified Peer Specialist, as well as an Advanced Level Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Facilitator. Mr. Shuer partnered with Dr. Frost to create “The Facilitator’s Guide for Running the Buried in Treasures Workshop.” He also partnered with Dr. Mary Ellen Copeland to create “WRAP for Reducing Clutter,” designed to support emotional and physical wellness. His Mutual Support Workbook is a teaching tool for human service workers. Ms. Belofsky Shuer is a WRAP Facilitator, trainer, and passionate peer support advocate and educator. Additionally, Robert Walker, from the Massachusetts Dept. of Mental Health Office of Recovery and Empowerment, will speak about the ways in which Buried in Treasures has been used in his state and reflect on the Massachusetts experience with this peer support model.