Hoarding disorder and Gestalt therapy

Therapeutic options

Authors

  • Beata Reinfeldt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30820/1664-9583-2026-1-45

Keywords:

hoarding disorder, lack of autonomy, MHI-index, social isolation, severe clutter, attachment patterns

Abstract

Hoarding Disorder is characterized by persistent accumulation of possessions, marked difficulty discarding items, and the resulting impairment of living and functional spaces. Since its inclusion as an independent diagnosis in 2013 in the DSM-5 (300.3) and ICD-10 (42.3), research has expanded across epidemiology, neurocognitive anomalies, genetic influences and psychotherapeutic interventions. Messie syndrome has been recognized as a separate disease in ICD-11 (6B24) since 2022 in the group of «obsessive-compulsive disorders and related disorders». The aim of this article is to provide a research-oriented synthesis of the central features of hoarding, to outline the development of the disorder and to present practice focused strategies for gestalt therapeutic work.

Author Biography

Beata Reinfeldt

Beata Reinfeldt ist Magistra der Pädagogik (Jagiellonen-Universität Krakau) und absolvierte ihre therapeutische Ausbildung im Institut für Gestalttherapie (2004–2009) in Krakau. Sie ist seit 2012 zertifizierte Gestaltpsychotherapeutin. Seit 2014 ist sie durch die European Association for Gestalt Therapy zertifiziert. Seit 2006 arbeitet sie in privater Praxis in Wien und Krems.
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How to Cite

Reinfeldt, B. (2026). Hoarding disorder and Gestalt therapy: Therapeutic options. Psychotherapie-Wissenschaft, 16(1), 45–51. https://doi.org/10.30820/1664-9583-2026-1-45

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2026): Psychoonkologie

Section

Original Work

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