← Back to Upcoming Trainings
October 5 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Cost: $5.00
presents:
It’s More Than Just Stuff:
Addressing Mental Healthcare Needs in Hoarding Disorder
via Webinar
Date & Time: Monday, October 5, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Webinar via Zoom
Cost: $5
This program is funded by a generous grant from M&T Charitable Foundation.
What to Expect
Hoarding disorder is a complex mental health condition that extends far beyond clutter and excessive possessions. It can significantly impact safety, health, independence, relationships, and quality of life, particularly among older adults. This training provides an in-depth exploration of hoarding disorder, including diagnostic criteria, prevalence, cognitive and emotional factors that contribute to hoarding behaviors, and the unique challenges faced by older adults living with the condition. Participants will learn about commonly used assessment tools, co-occurring mental health conditions, and evidence-based treatment approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and exposure-based interventions. The session also explores practical strategies for supporting individuals with hoarding disorder while promoting safety, dignity, collaboration, and long-term success.
Objectives
- Define hoarding disorder, including diagnostic criteria and common clinical characteristics.
- Describe the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors that contribute to hoarding behaviors.
- Identify the unique risks, challenges, and consequences of hoarding disorder among older adults.
- Recognize commonly used assessment tools and approaches for evaluating hoarding severity and functional impact.
- Compare evidence-based interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and exposure-based approaches, used to support individuals with hoarding disorder
Facilitator
Erin Edwards is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a Master’s degree in Psychology. She currently works for Penn State College of Medicine/Hershey Medical Center within the Division of Autism in the Department of Psychiatry. Erin has partnered with PennCares Support Services for many years, developing and delivering trainings that focus on older adults and behavioral health topics. She has extensive experience working with children diagnosed with autism and other mental health conditions across various service settings, including specialized education programs, home and community-based BHRS services, intensive family-based mental health services, and outpatient care. In addition to her work with children, Erin has supported adults with autism and co-occurring mental health diagnoses in community, home, and workplace environments. Her areas of expertise also include hoarding behaviors, anxiety, depression, and suicide-related concerns. In her supervisory roles, Erin has provided a wide range of trainings to direct care staff, emphasizing practical intervention strategies and approaches to reduce caregiver frustration and fatigue.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- Social Work: 2.5 CEUs (Pending Approval) – Additional Fees Apply
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Disclosure: Upon approval, 2.5 CEs will be awarded for completion of this course. NASW has been designated as a pre-approved provider of professional continuing education for social workers (Section 47.36), Marriage and Family Therapist (Section 48.36) and Professional Counselors (Section 49.36) by the PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
PLEASE NOTE: CEUs are an additional fee of $15 per NASW member and $25 per non-member. Participants requesting social work CEUs will be responsible for paying NASW directly, following the training.
Questions?
Contact Allison Fisher at trainings@penncares.org.
PennCares Cancellation Policy
- PennCares Support Services reserves the right to cancel an event due to low enrollment or other circumstances which would make the event non-viable.
- PennCares reserves the right to substitute course instructors as necessary.
- If PennCares cancels an event, registrants will be offered a full refund.
Postponement: Should circumstances arise that result in the postponement of an event, registrants will have the option to either receive a full refund or transfer registration to the same event at the new, future date.
Substitutions and Transfers: We understand that circumstances may occur to prevent you from attending a training. If you find that you are unable to attend one of PennCares’ trainings, you have several options:
- Send a substitute: Substitutions are accepted as long as a written request is received. Substitutions may be made without penalty provided the original registrant contacts PennCares at trainings@penncares.org to request this change.
- Transfer to another course: Transfers are accepted up to the day of the event as long as a written request is received. In the event the registrant cannot attend a scheduled course for which he or she is enrolled, registration can be transferred to another course.
- Refund of monies: Requests for refunds must be made in writing and received by the training refund deadline stated on the training registration form. (See below for cancellation policy).
Registration Cancellation by Participant
- Unless specifically stated on registration materials, the deadline to request a refund for your registration is 5 business days before the event.
- Registration cancellations requested prior to the deadline will be eligible to receive a refund less a 5% administration fee. *
- Cancellations received less than 5 business days before the event will not be eligible for a refund and will be billed for the total cost.
- Registered no-shows are not eligible for a refund and will be billed the total cost.
- Cancellations will be accepted via e-mail to trainings@penncares.org and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline.
- All refund requests must be made by the attendee/payee.
- Refund requests must include the name of the attendee, the training date, and payment method.
These above policies apply to all PennCares trainings unless otherwise noted in the corresponding event materials. Please read all individual event information thoroughly.