Heart, Soul and Guts with Adena Bank Lees, LCSW

For more than 35 years, I have dedicated my work to helping individuals heal from childhood trauma and reclaim their sense of self. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Addiction Counselor, Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress, and Certified Practitioner of Psychodrama. While my professional experience has shaped my understanding of trauma and recovery, my work is also deeply personal. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and covert emotional incest, I understand firsthand the profound and lasting impact these experiences can have on a person's life. I am the author of *Covert Emotional Incest: The Hidden Sexual Abuse, A Story of Hope and Healing*, a book written to bring awareness, language, and validation to one of the most misunderstood forms of childhood trauma. Covert Emotional Incest (CEI) occurs when a parent unconsciously turns to a child to meet adult emotional or relational needs, often creating lasting challenges with identity, boundaries, self-worth, and intimate relationships. My mission is to help survivors recognize these hidden dynamics, understand how they have shaped their lives, and discover that healing, recovery, and thriving are possible. Learn more about *Covert Emotional Incest: The Hidden Sexual Abuse, A Story of Hope and Healing*: For more than 35 years, I have dedicated my work to helping individuals heal from childhood trauma and reclaim their sense of self. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Addiction Counselor, Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress, and Certified Practitioner of Psychodrama. While my professional experience has shaped my understanding of trauma and recovery, my work is also deeply personal. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and covert emotional incest, I understand firsthand the profound and lasting impact these experiences can have on a person's life. I am the author of *Covert Emotional Incest: The Hidden Sexual Abuse, A Story of Hope and Healing*, a book written to bring awareness, language, and validation to one of the most misunderstood forms of childhood trauma. Covert Emotional Incest (CEI) occurs when a parent unconsciously turns to a child to meet adult emotional or relational needs, often creating lasting challenges with identity, boundaries, self-worth, and intimate relationships. My mission is to help survivors recognize these hidden dynamics, understand how they have shaped their lives, and discover that healing, recovery, and thriving are possible. Learn more about *Covert Emotional Incest: The Hidden Sexual Abuse, A Story of Hope and Healing*: https://www.amazon.com/Covert-Emotional-In...