About Mark Odom
Mark Odom has been working in the aging and mental health field for over 25 years. He is the founding chairperson and current clinical consultant to the Orange County Task Force on Hoarding, a diverse group of government, community and service organizations and representatives who seek to impact hoarding in Orange County, California. As the lead behavioral health clinician on the Task Force, Mr. Odom has been instrumental in developing an effective and humane protocol for helping people who hoard and who are resistant to help.
For the past ten years Mr. Odom has served as the clinical supervisor of a multidisciplinary team of mental health clinicians who provide in-home behavioral health services to older adults. Mr. Odom also has a small private practice where he delivers direct therapeutic services to older adults and their families who are overwhelmed with extreme acquiring and saving. Mr. Odom collaborates with a professional organizer, a biohazard cleanup company, a “friend in recovery,” and others, who can provide hands-on help with for those overwhelmed with excessive clutter and belongings.
Mr. Odom conducts workshops to various human service professionals concerning hoarding behavior. He has spoken at local, state and national venues concerning community response to hoarding.
Mr. Odom received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Religion from Azusa Pacific University and his Master of Social Work degree with studies in gerontology from San Diego State University. He has been working in the mental health and aging field since 1984. He is licensed as a Clinical Social Worker by the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Mr. Odom is member of the Mental Health and Aging Network of the American Society on Aging and the National Association of Social Workers Aging Section. He has also served as a member of the Orange County Elder Abuse Forensic Center, as a consultant to the Orange County Elder Financial Abuse Specialist Team, and advisory board member of the Social Work Program at California State University Fullerton.