That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding

#169 Compassion-focused therapy for grief and hoarding with Dr Chia-Ying Chou


Listen Later

  • Get your 2025 decluttering inspiration calendar: http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/2025 
  • Come to a Dehoarding Accountability Zoom Session: http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/ticket
  • Subscribe to the podcast: https://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/subscribe
  • Podcast show notes, links and transcript: http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/ 
  • In today's episode, I ask Dr Chia-Ying Chou about the complex interplay between grief and hoarding. We'll explore how emotions like grief can trigger hoarding behaviour, the role an inner critic plays, and learn all about compassion-focused therapy – including why it’s so much easier to offer compassion than to receive it. The timing is perfect, coinciding with National Grief Awareness Week in the UK.

    • Grief and Hoarding Discussion
    • Chia-Ying Chou discusses the non-direct link between grief and hoarding based on clinical experience.
    • Factors such as resistance to grieving and avoiding vulnerability exacerbate hoarding.
    • Grief can trigger hoarding behaviour to maintain a sense of control and avoid confronting loss.
    • Host shares personal experiences of how grief intensified their hoarding behaviour.
    • Grief and Possessions
    • People keep deceased loved ones' belongings as a way to preserve their existence.
    • Chou mentions the ambiguous preservation of loved ones through items.
    • Anxiety and resistance to facing grief make organising or discarding possessions difficult.
    • Complex Emotions in Grief
    • Host reflects on the unexpected emotions in grief, like anger or impatience.
    • Therapeutic Strategies for Grief and Hoarding
    • Chou compares addressing resistance to grief to preparing for a challenging hike.
    • Emphasis on resourcing, preparing mentally, and gathering support.
    • Suggestions for a "baby-step" approach to facing fears and emotions.
    • Inner Critic and Grief
    • Host discusses journey with their inner critic and finding new approaches to handle it.
    • Chou highlights how internal criticism is often related to grief and missed opportunities.
    • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
    • Integration of Western psychotherapy and Buddhist philosophy for addressing psychological challenges.
    • Difficulty in receiving or directing compassion towards oneself.
    • Connections Between Hoarding, Trauma, and Grief
    • Patterns of loss, either tangible or intangible, among those who hoard.
    • Episode ties with National Grief Awareness Week in the UK.
    • Cultivating Compassionate Companions
    • Idea of cultivating an imaginary compassionate companion for emotional support.
    • Emphasis on emotions being a part of persona, not the true self.
    • Emotions and Grief Management
    • Pacing yourself.
    • Chou recommends creating space for emotions to surface naturally.
    • Encouragement to welcome emotions as a creative process in internal space.
    • Examine fears and take small steps to engage with feelings.
    • ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive HoardingBy That Hoarder

      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9

      4.9

      104 ratings


      More shows like That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding

      View all
      A Slob Comes Clean by Dana K. White: A Slob Comes Clean

      A Slob Comes Clean

      2,433 Listeners

      Clutter Free Academy by Kathi Lipp

      Clutter Free Academy

      409 Listeners

      The Minimalists by Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus, T.K. Coleman

      The Minimalists

      10,180 Listeners

      Clutterbug - Real-Life Hacks and Tips to Declutter, Organize and Clean your Home Fast by Clutterbug

      Clutterbug - Real-Life Hacks and Tips to Declutter, Organize and Clean your Home Fast

      2,022 Listeners

      Sustainable Minimalists by Stephanie Seferian

      Sustainable Minimalists

      1,002 Listeners

      Millennial Minimalists by Kelly & Lauren

      Millennial Minimalists

      310 Listeners

      The Declutter Hub Podcast by The Declutter Hub

      The Declutter Hub Podcast

      204 Listeners

      Maximized Minimalist Podcast by Katy Wells

      Maximized Minimalist Podcast

      902 Listeners

      Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Organize, Calm the Chaos by Deanna Yates | Professional Organizer, Decluttering Coach, Wannabe Minimalist

      Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Organize, Calm the Chaos

      383 Listeners

      Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens by Dr. Lisa Damour/Reena Ninan

      Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

      121 Listeners

      Declutter Your Chaos - Minimalism, Decluttering, Home Organization by Amber Cammidge, Decluttering Coach

      Declutter Your Chaos - Minimalism, Decluttering, Home Organization

      289 Listeners

      Struggle Care by KC Davis

      Struggle Care

      738 Listeners

      At Peace Parents Podcast by Casey

      At Peace Parents Podcast

      337 Listeners

      The Art of Decluttering by Amy Revell

      The Art of Decluttering

      89 Listeners

      Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living by Cloud10

      Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living

      245 Listeners