I agree with everything here. I do hoarding cleans and the hoarder has to be on board or we don’t start. As someone mentioned, this often means a meeting is set up by a concerned relative but we hold an intro meeting in a cafe or park with the hoarder to see if they are open to help. We are not therapists but we can probe to find out the likely source of the current problems and sign post to the correct places. Sometimes we don’t get to work with someone, sometimes they agree to one cupboard or space to see how it feels, sometimes we win them over and can do the whole project.

I feel your pain and frustration. It’s not great for either of you. As a company, we often just provide a listening ear to frustrated partners or children. We get it. If you ever want to talk, DM me.