Event Information

Join us for a comprehensive exploration of hoarding disorder, shedding light on its psychological intricacies, legal implications, and pathways to effective intervention. Through expert-led sessions and insightful discussions, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of hoarding behaviors, recognize signs of hoarding in rental properties, and learn essential communication strategies for fostering supportive environments. From legal considerations to preventive measures and real-life case studies, this event equips property managers, mental health professionals, and concerned individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to address hoarding with empathy and effectiveness.

Meet the Speakers

Karen Hannigan, L.C.S.W., is a geriatric social worker with over 30 years experience working with older adults and visiting private homes and rental apartments in which those with hoarding disorder resided.  She is currently the supervisor for intake services for Older Adults for the Aging Division of the Department of Family Services in Fairfax, Virginia.
 
 
Rachael Perrott has a Master's of Science in Entomology from Virginia Tech, where she specialized in Termite Control Methodology.  After Graduation, Ms. Perrott worked as a technical specialist for a pest control company for several years.  However, she has served Fairfax County Government for the past twenty years; as an Environmental Health Specialist with the Health Department, as a Team Lead in a high profile Task Force to overcome overcrowding, and currently as a Division Supervisor for the Department of Code Compliance.   She holds certifications as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator with the Department of Agriculture, as a Fire Marshal and as a Property Maintenance Inspector with the state of Virginia and is proficient with the Zoning Ordinance and the Building Code.  She has been a member of the Fairfax County Hoarding Task force since 2006 and has served as the Co-Chair to the Fairfax County Hoarding Committee for almost 10 years. 

Susan Epstein studied Urban Planning as an undergrad and has a Master’s Degree in Education.  She has worked for Fairfax County Government for thirty years as Compliance Investigator, Urban Planner and currently as a Code Compliance Supervisor in the Department of Code Compliance.  She has been a member of the Fairfax County Hoarding Task force since 2006 and has served as the Co-Chair to the Fairfax County Hoarding Committee for almost 10 years. 

Nick Thomas, LCSW
Emergency/Mobile Services Supervisor
Community Response Team (CRT)
Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB)
 
I am currently a supervisor with Emergency Services at Fairfax-Falls Church CSB. My primary responsibility is to supervise our Community Response Team (CRT). This is a co-responding partnership between Fairfax County firefighter/medics and CSB mental health professionals (MHPs). The team engages in outreach in the community for individuals/families who are high-utilizers of public safety resources such as 911 dispatch. Most of our clients struggle with a combination of mental health, substance use, and/or physical challenges.
 
I was previously a Crisis Intervention Specialist in Emergency Services working with CRT, Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU), and the police Co-Responder Unit (COR). Prior to this, I worked primarily in outpatient mental health clinics in both the public and private sector. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from GMU, master’s degree in social work from VCU (Alexandria Campus), and license in clinical social work.

Lawrence Smith Sr., Ed.D., LPC

I am currently the mobile services manager at the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (FXFCCSB) in Emergency Services (ES). In this role, I provide oversight of the County’s Community Response Team (CRT), Mobile Crisis (MCU) and Co-Responder (COR) Units. I have 30+ years of experience in the field of mental health to include 16-years in emergency services. I have been with the FXFCCSB since 2016 where, prior to becoming a manager, I was a Crisis Intervention Specialist working in-house emergency services, MCU, COR, CRT and then as an ES/Mobile Services Supervisor. Prior to arriving to the FXFCCSB, I worked as an emergency services clinician with the Norfolk CSB, was one of the inaugural mental health clinicians within the Virginia Community College System while serving as Student Mental Health Counselor at Tidewater Community College (TCC), taught courses as an adjunct Psychology Professor at TCC, served as the Director of Professional School Counseling with Norfolk Public Schools, supervisor for a youth residential program with Virginia Beach Human Services, private sector youth residential counselor and in private practice as a mental health provider.
 
I earned a Doctorate Degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Human Growth & Development at Regent University, a Master’s of Education Degree in School Psychology from the College of William and Mary and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology from James Madison University. I am also licensed in the state of Virginia as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Professional School Counselor.

Maria Spetalnik

Maria Spetalnik is a Board Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®) with over 30 years of experience helping others to establish control of their lives by helping them control their clutter. Her company, Conquer the Clutter, employs a team of organizers using a holistic, harm reduction approach with clients. She works with other professionals to help her clients work past the physical, mental and emotional causes of the clutter. 

Maria has taught classes internationally about Chronic Disorganization and Hoarding to the FBI, Police Officers, Sheriffs, Adult Protective Services, Code Compliance Officers, Fire Marshalls, Animal Control Officers, EMT’s, Social Services Departments, Therapists, and others. She has worked with many of these professionals on her client’s behalf.  Maria has been a Volunteer in Police Service (VIPS) for 15+ years and a member of the Fairfax County Inter Agency Hoarding Committee 10+ years.  

Her book: Hoarding for Law Enforcement and Other Public Officials – 2nd ed is a guide for public officials on how to navigate in a world that can be overwhelming for the unprepared.  Her newest book: A Practical Guide to Hoarding for Friends and Family is for those that know the person who's hoarding and want simple, clear ways to help.

Donna Ryan

Donna Ryan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP).  She received her Undergraduate Degree in Creative Writing and Education, and her M.Ed. in Community Agency Counseling from George Mason University. 
 
Donna began working in the field as an advocate for victims of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking.  She then moved on to work with individuals who struggle with substance abuse, spending several years at INOVA Hospital, working in the CATS Unit, and in various levels of care, including IOP and PHP.  She began doing emergency work and became a Psychiatric Liaison in the Emergency Room at INOVA Fairfax Hospital.   She has travelled with the Red Cross as a mental health counselor during a natural disaster. 
 
Donna spent 5 years working with law-enforcement officers in private practice and on-call for Officer-involved shooting and traumatic events.  She is currently a Supervisor at Fairfax County Emergency Services where she helped to pilot the Co-responder Program.  She worked as a Clinician there for 6 years prior to becoming a supervisor where she has been privileged to be part of the emergency services and mobile crisis unit teams.