When David Johnson saw Marsha Sims, professional organizer, on a public service program a few years ago, he wondered why anyone would want someone else to organize their junk.

"As my life became more complex and I lost important things, I hired Marsha and she did a diagnosis of my needs and spent the day helping me get organized," Johnson said. "I like to call her an organizational therapist. She made me more conscious of putting things in their place. I changed my habits. Like my cell phone, keys…they are all where I can find them now."

Johnson, a social worker, actor and photographer, justifies the cost of hiring professional help.

"If you lose a check in your house, it is costly, and time is money."

Sims remembers one client who had 11 staplers somewhere in her house, but couldn’t find any of them.

"As we began to sort it all out, we found the staplers," Sims said. "I begin by asking my clients where things would go if everything was perfect."

For instance, toiletries would go in the bathroom, books on a bookshelf, files in a file cabinet. Some clients have nowhere in their house or office to sit or walk. Many are inundated by stacks of papers decades old. This "disorder" spans every socio-economic, gender, and racial group, Sims said.

"I’ve worked with people where the yacht in their backyard is bigger than my house, CEOs of corporations, celebrities, authors. I listen for the pain of how they really feel and then help them find the specific problem. For instance, some people have elaborate filing systems which are too complicated so no one can keep them in order."

Sims works together with her clients.

"I respect and honor that a person has invited me in," she said. "It is an ongoing process. You could just box it all up."

Instead, Sims individualizes and leaves each client with a written outline. They know what has been accomplished, what needs additional help, and what steps are to be taken to accomplish a plan. Many clients continue to call Sims whenever they need suggestions or even for moral support.

"It’s a thinking, working, learning process," she said.

Helen Robin, a retired teacher, is thrilled with all she has learned from Sims.

"I heard her speak four times at the Baptist Hospital Woman’s Resource Center. And she came to a Messies Anonymous meeting as a speaker. We have a phone relationship. I call her for suggestions. I have seen what she has done for other people. She counseled one friend every night to help her be successful."

Sandra Felton, the organizing expert, founder and president of Messies Anonymous, and Marsha Sims sometimes work together. They currently are planning a seminar to help conquer clutter. On Saturday, Oct. 9, you can get twice the advice from these organizing divas. Designed for executives to housewives, all of the hot clutter topics will be covered at the seminar.

Sims, who is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers has used all of her past experiences to reach where she is today.

"I had my own struggle to be organized. I wasn’t born with the ‘organizing gene.’ I understand [this problem]," she said.

Her degree in Speech Pathology helped her to develop strategies for, and to understand human nature. She also worked as a columnist, acquired sales techniques while working in real estate, and learned business skills when she owned a lingerie design and manufacturing company. A single mother of three, she spends her free time enjoying her family.

"Everybody is good at something," she said. "So, what if they are not good at organizing? People do not need to feel ashamed getting help. You don’t need a plumber every week. The idea is that I am temporary. I am successful when people don’t need me anymore."