Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Expect in Working with You?

A professional organizer/coach has knowledge and skills to address the organizing challenges that you face. While experience levels and specialties may vary, there are some abilities and qualities common to all successful professional organizers:

• Asking the right questions to understand what a client wants and needs
• Listening and interpreting what a client means
• Customizing organizational systems to meet client needs
• Teaching and transferring basic organizing skills
• Visualizing spatially and seeing the big picture
• Breaking goals down into manageable steps
• Categorizing and planning ahead
• Utilizing technology to support organizing efforts
• Maintaining physical and mental endurance
• Demonstrating compassion
• Being professional
• Being non judgmental
• Giving encouragement
• Being supportive
• Maintaining client confidentiality

What are the Steps to Getting Organized?

The first step in the process is being ready for change and seeking help! The process with a PO/Coach may be either hands-on occurring in-person or coaching occurring by phone or email. Both include:

1. Identifying goals & objectives
2. Developing a plan tailored to the client's needs & thinking style
3. Selecting systems & products
4. Implementing & maintaining

How Long Will the Process Take?

Each individual's process differs. The important thing to remember is that the acquiring and letting go behaviors may have been practiced for years... so changing those patterns and managing the clutter will take time. Client commitment, energy, availability, resources and budget are factors that will affect the length of the organizing process.

Will You Make Me Get Rid of Things?

No. Any decision about keeping or letting go of things is totally the client's with the exception of a mandated cleanout ordered by a local or judicial authority. In a situation where a client is downsizing or has items which are contaminated, things may need to be disposed of. Clutter and disorganization can be about too many things, too little space, ineffective systems or a combination of all. My role is to help a client determine which of these causes exist and what can be done to reach the organizational goals that the client has set.

Why is Certification Important?

Although the organizing industry is neither regulated, nor governed through certification, gaining certification demonstrates that a Professional Organizer:

1. Continues to invest in current industry education
2. Has a minimum of 2 year's client service experience
3. Practices a strong code of ethics
4. Meets stringent requirements to be certified designated.
5. Has demonstrated a body of knowledge for the organizing field

What are the Different Types of Certification?

There are two certification processes for professional organizers:

CPO® is the designation developed by The National Association of Professional Organizers and is operated under the auspices of the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers® (BCPO®). This designation recognizes those professionals who have met specific minimum qualifications and have proven through examination and client interaction that they possess the body of knowledge and experience required for certification.

CPO-CD® is the designation developed and managed by the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. It is earned through a 17-20 month intensive study program for developing and improving a Professional Organizer's skills, knowledge, and techniques for serving Chronically Disorganized clients.