Changemaker Interviews

Breaking Free from Clutter and Trauma with Valerie Huard

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2025

Breaking Free from Clutter and Trauma with Valerie Huard

For many people, clutter is just a minor inconvenience—something to deal with when they have time. But for others, it’s much more than that. It’s an overwhelming, paralyzing force tied to deep-seated emotions, trauma, and self-doubt. Breaking free from clutter isn’t just about tidying up; it’s about addressing the deeper issues that keep people stuck. Valerie Huard, a pioneering expert in trauma-informed decluttering, knows this firsthand. Through her own healing journey from Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), she discovered that clutter isn’t just about disorganization—it’s a reflection of unresolved pain.

As the Co-Founder and President of DO Well and the Doers Academy, Valerie has dedicated her career to helping people break free from the emotional and physical burdens of clutter. As Co-Founder of DO Well®, Valerie—alongside strategic coach and co-founder Jean-Michel Tetreault—has built an organization that has empowered over 1,500 individuals to break free from clutter and emotional overwhelm through structured programs like The Doers Academy. Her science-backed, holistic approach, known as the DO Well Method, integrates trauma recovery, productivity strategies, and mindset mastery to create lasting transformation. Today, she’s recognized as one of the world’s most innovative coaches in decluttering and personal development, guiding thousands to reclaim their lives, one step at a time.

A Personal Journey That Sparked a Movement

Like many trailblazers, Valerie’s work began with a deeply personal experience. She had tried traditional therapy and medication for her C-PTSD, but something was missing. While these treatments provided temporary relief, they didn’t address the root cause of her struggles—the emotional and psychological clutter weighing her down.

“Clutter isn’t just stuff,” she explains. “It’s the physical manifestation of our fears, self-doubt, and past experiences. Once I realized that, everything changed.”

Determined to find a more holistic path to healing, Valerie combined her background in occupational therapy, trauma recovery, and wellness coaching with her research on the brain’s response to clutter. The result was the DO Well Method—a revolutionary approach that helps individuals clear not just their physical spaces but also the mental and emotional barriers that keep them stuck.

Overcoming Challenges and Changing Perceptions

Valerie’s work hasn’t come without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles she faced was changing the way people perceive clutter.

“There’s so much shame and stigma around disorganization,” she says. “Many people feel like they should just ‘get it together,’ but they don’t realize how deeply clutter is connected to their emotions and past experiences.”

To break this stigma, Valerie focused on education and empowerment. Through workshops, online coaching, and speaking engagements, she’s helped people understand that clutter is a symptom, not the root problem. By addressing the trauma and emotional weight behind it, real transformation can happen.

Another challenge was scaling her work. Initially, Valerie worked one-on-one with clients, but she quickly realized that the need for trauma-informed decluttering was far greater than she could meet alone. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced this realization, pushing her to adapt and expand her reach.

“At first, I believed that hands-on decluttering was the only way to make a real impact,” she admits. “But when the pandemic forced me to shift online, I saw the true power of mindset work. The real transformation happens in the mind first.”

This realization led to the creation of the Doers Academy, an online coaching platform where individuals can access specialized courses, community support, and step-by-step guidance to reclaim their space and peace of mind.

Breaking Free from Clutter

Valerie’s mission is clear: to help people break free from the weight of clutter and trauma so they can live with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Through DO Well®, she provides education, tools, and support to those who feel stuck—whether they’re struggling with physical disorganization, emotional overwhelm, or deep-seated fears that hold them back.

As one of the foremost experts in trauma-informed decluttering, Valerie is leading a new movement in personal transformation, empowering women to take back control of their lives by addressing the hidden emotional burdens behind clutter.

“I want people to see clutter for what it truly is—a reflection of something deeper,” she says. “Once we break that cycle, we open the door to lasting change, not just in our homes but in our hearts and minds.”

Her impact has been recognized globally. Valerie has received multiple awards, including Holistic Wellness and Pioneer of the Year – North America 2024, Excellence Award in Stress Management – North America 2024, and nominations for prestigious honors like the GHP Mental Health Awards 2025 and the Canadian Business Awards 2025 by Corporate Vision.

Beyond awards, her greatest reward is seeing the transformation in the people she helps.

“When someone tells me they finally feel lighter, more in control, and at peace after years of struggling, that’s what keeps me going,” she shares. “It’s about more than just decluttering—it’s about reclaiming your life.”

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Valerie is determined to expand DO Well® and reach even more people worldwide. She plans to grow the Doers Academy, introduce new specialized courses, and incorporate cutting-edge technology to support her clients’ journeys.

She’s also passionate about advocacy and breaking the stigma around clutter and trauma. Through media appearances, books, and collaborations with other experts, she hopes to spread awareness and create a global movement that empowers people to live free from emotional and physical burdens.

For many women, clutter isn’t just about mess—it’s about shame, expectation, and emotional weight. Valerie’s mission with DO Well® is to break the stigma and show that decluttering is an act of self-care and empowerment, not failure.

“My goal is to help 1 million people transform their lives through the DO Well Method,” she says. “I believe that when people let go of what no longer serves them, they can step into their fullest potential.”

Leaving a Legacy of Healing and Transformation

For Valerie, this work isn’t just a career—it’s her life’s mission. She envisions a future where no one feels trapped by clutter or overwhelmed by emotional baggage.

“I want to leave a legacy of hope and transformation,” she says. “A world where people are no longer weighed down by shame or fear, but instead feel empowered to create the life they deserve.”

If you’re ready to take the first step toward a clutter-free, stress-free life, download Valerie’s free guide: “7 Secrets of Decluttering.” . This resource will help you uncover the hidden obstacles behind clutter and provide actionable strategies to regain control of your space and mindset.