Clearing clutter is a bit like exercising or losing weight; everyone wants to do it, no one wants to begin the process. Then the excuses arrive, as well as more weight, more clutter and more health problems.
I organized for many people in and around NYC, from the very wealthy to the barely making it, and they all had the same question: "How can I stop the clutter from forming?"
Some clients required a number of sessions, others just once, such as reorganizing an office, but I began to see that although there were many reasons for the accumulation of clutter, most were connected to an emotional experience going back to childhood.

It isn't always obvious why people allow clutter to grow, but listening to clients and seeing what they kept in their homes usually gave a good indication of what emotion lay buried beneath the piles.
It struck me after a while that instead of sitting in a psychologists office week after week, it would probably be a much quicker process if the psychologist were to visit the client's home to evaluate their emotional wellbeing. That way they'd see what I saw; the photographs, the things kept from childhood, what really mattered to them and what they wanted to erase.

I organized for teachers, tax collectors, business people, artists, students, journalists, people running their own successful businesses -- many of whom could function at work but not at home -- designers, psychologists!, people in finance, tv producers, sales people, actors. It ran the gamut.
I also organized for someone who called me saying that he couldn't get any more clothes in his closet and needed help. The reason was obvious when I opened the closet doors: empty boxes! Why would anyone keep empty boxes? Just in case he had to return a product. When I asked him if he intended to return a six year old toaster anytime soon, he had to admit that no he wouldn't! Luckily, he had a sense of humor.

Some wanted filing systems implemented, others just wanted someone else to get rid of most of their possessions, which I didn't do of course. The worst thing anyone can do is to toss the possessions of others -- usually done by those with good intentions -- as you're basically telling them who you think they are, and what you think is acceptable for them to keep. The whole point of getting rid of clutter is to work with the client so that they're able to make decisions for themselves more easily.

I organized offices in ritzy buildings and offices in private homes. I also organized for people who were going to be evicted if they didn't get rid of some of their mess -- often piles of books, newspapers and empty boxes!
The Emotional Imprint of Clutter was written to give people a starting point to clearing their own stuff, but as with most things, people don't fit neatly into one box. And like most of us, admitting to needing help is a difficult ask. It's so much easier to blame the size of the space, the need to keep too much information, or a family that uses the home as a storage space.