Hoarding Support Groups in Ohio

Recovery from hoarding disorder is not a journey you have to take alone. Support groups provide a safe, confidential environment where you can share experiences, learn coping strategies, and receive encouragement from people who truly understand the challenges of hoarding. Whether you prefer meeting in person or joining an online group from home, Ohio offers several options for individuals and families affected by hoarding disorder.

Why Support Groups Help

Research consistently shows that peer support plays a critical role in hoarding disorder recovery. Support groups offer benefits that individual therapy alone cannot provide:

Reduced isolation -- Hoarding disorder often leads to shame and withdrawal. Hearing from others with similar experiences helps break the cycle of isolation.
Accountability -- Regular meetings create gentle structure and motivation to continue making progress between therapy sessions.
Practical tips -- Group members share real-world strategies for sorting, organizing, and managing the urge to acquire that have worked in their own lives.
Family understanding -- Groups for family members and children of hoarders provide tools for setting healthy boundaries while maintaining compassionate relationships.

Support groups work best as a complement to professional therapy. If you have not yet connected with a therapist, see our Ohio therapists guide to find a hoarding disorder specialist near you. You can also use our hoarding assessment tool to better understand the severity of your situation.

In-Person Support Groups by Region

Cleveland / Northeast Ohio

Hoarding Connection of Cuyahoga County Support Group -- Facilitated peer support group meeting regularly in Cleveland. This program is part of the larger Hoarding Connection initiative run by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Contact (216) 420-6700 for meeting schedule and location.
NAMI Greater Cleveland Support Groups -- The local NAMI chapter hosts multiple peer-led support groups across Cuyahoga County. While not hoarding-specific, these groups welcome anyone dealing with mental health conditions including hoarding disorder. Visit namicleveland.org for current schedules.
OCD and Anxiety Support Group -- Akron -- Hosted through Summa Health Behavioral Health, this group serves individuals dealing with OCD-spectrum conditions including hoarding. Contact Summa Health for current meeting information.

Columbus / Central Ohio

NAMI Franklin County Peer Support -- Offers facilitated peer support groups in the Columbus area for individuals with mental health conditions. Call (614) 221-1441 for meeting details.
OCD Columbus Support Group -- A community-led group for individuals with OCD-spectrum conditions, meeting monthly in the Columbus metro area. Check the International OCD Foundation group directory for current listings.
Buried in Treasures Workshop -- Franklin County -- A structured 15-week group program based on the Buried in Treasures workbook, offered periodically through community behavioral health agencies. Contact Southeast Inc. at (614) 225-3040 for upcoming sessions.

Cincinnati / Southwest Ohio

NAMI Southwest Ohio Support Groups -- Multiple peer support group options across Hamilton County and surrounding areas. Visit namiswoh.org or call (513) 351-9585.
Lindner Center of HOPE Support Programs -- The Lindner Center in Mason offers educational programs and support group connections for OCD-spectrum conditions. Call (513) 536-9195.
Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio -- Provides peer support programming and can connect individuals with hoarding-related groups in the Cincinnati region.

Toledo / Northwest Ohio

NAMI of Greater Toledo -- Offers peer-led support groups for individuals and family members dealing with mental health conditions. Call (419) 243-4673.
Harbor Behavioral Health Support Services -- Provides group therapy and peer support options across northwest Ohio, including Lucas and Wood counties.

Dayton / Miami Valley

NAMI Dayton Peer Support -- Regular peer support meetings in the Dayton area for people with mental health conditions and their families. Visit namidayton.org.
Samaritan Behavioral Health Group Programs -- Offers various group therapy options in the Montgomery County area, with periodic programs addressing hoarding and clutter.

Online Support Groups

Online groups are an excellent option if you live in a rural area of Ohio, have difficulty leaving your home, or simply prefer the privacy of connecting from your own space. Several well-established online communities serve Ohio residents:

Clutterers Anonymous (CLA)

Clutterers Anonymous is a twelve-step fellowship for people who struggle with clutter and hoarding. CLA offers multiple weekly phone and video meetings that are free to attend. There is no requirement to share, and you can participate anonymously.

International OCD Foundation Online Groups

The IOCDF maintains a directory of virtual support groups for hoarding disorder, many of which meet weekly via Zoom. These groups are typically facilitated by a trained volunteer or mental health professional. Search the group directory at hoarding.iocdf.org.

Buried in Treasures Online Workshops

The Buried in Treasures (BIT) program has been adapted for virtual delivery. These structured 15-20 week workshops guide participants through the Buried in Treasures workbook by Drs. David Tolin, Randy Frost, and Gail Steketee. The IOCDF website lists upcoming virtual BIT workshops open to Ohio residents.

Reddit and Online Communities

Online forums such as the r/hoarding subreddit provide informal peer support and are available 24/7. While these are not moderated by mental health professionals, many participants find value in the shared experiences and practical advice. These communities can serve as a low-barrier first step for people not yet ready for formal support groups.

Support for Families and Children of Hoarders

Hoarding disorder affects entire families. If you are a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of someone who hoards, you deserve support too. For practical guidance, see our article on how to help a hoarder. Family-focused resources available to Ohio residents include:

Children of Hoarders (COH)

Children of Hoarders is a peer support community specifically for adult children who grew up in hoarding households. The organization maintains an active online forum, offers virtual support group meetings, and provides educational resources about the unique challenges faced by children of hoarders.

NAMI Family-to-Family Program

NAMI Ohio chapters across the state offer the Family-to-Family program, a free, eight-session educational course for family members of people living with mental health conditions. The program covers communication strategies, self-care, and how to support your loved one effectively. Contact NAMI Ohio at (614) 224-4070 to find a session near you.

Al-Anon and Family Support Principles

While Al-Anon is designed for families of people with alcohol use disorders, many of the boundary-setting and self-care principles translate directly to families dealing with hoarding. Several Ohio therapists recommend Al-Anon meetings as supplementary support for family members of people with hoarding disorder.

National Organizations and Resources

International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) -- The leading organization for hoarding disorder research, education, and support. Their Hoarding Center at hoarding.iocdf.org maintains directories of therapists, support groups, and treatment programs.
Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) -- Provides educational materials and a therapist directory searchable by specialty, including hoarding disorder. Visit adaa.org.
Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) -- Trains and certifies professional organizers who specialize in chronic disorganization and hoarding. Their directory can help you find an organizer in Ohio who understands hoarding. Visit challengingdisorganization.org.
NAMI National -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) for information and referrals.

Getting Started

Attending your first support group meeting can feel intimidating, but most groups are welcoming and understanding of newcomers. Here are a few tips:

You are never required to share. Many people attend several meetings before speaking up, and that is perfectly fine.
Online meetings let you keep your camera off if you prefer.
Most groups are free or accept voluntary donations. If cost is a concern, see our financial assistance guide for additional options.
Try more than one group if the first does not feel like a good fit. Each group has its own culture and approach.

If you are ready to take the next step beyond support groups, consider connecting with a licensed Ohio therapist who specializes in hoarding disorder for individualized treatment. You can also browse our provider directory to find professional cleanup help in your area.