Adena Bank Lees, LCSW, LISAC, BCETS, CP is an internationally recognized clinician, author, and trainer specializing in the treatment of childhood sexual abuse trauma, with a particular focus on Covert Emotional Incest (CEI) — the hidden, emotionally enmeshed parent–child dynamic that masquerades as love while undermining a child’s authentic self.
The ABL® Trauma-Responsive Psychodrama Model
Adena is the developer of the ABL® Trauma-Responsive Psychodrama Model, a proprietary clinical framework that goes a step beyond “trauma-informed” practice. The model integrates four pillars:
- Neurobiology of traumatic stress — pacing, titration, and safety protocols designed around how trauma actually lives in the nervous system
- Addiction and recovery science — integrated treatment for the high overlap between trauma and substance use or behavioral addiction
- Attachment theory — corrective relational experiences that repair the early wounds driving CEI and complex PTSD
- Mindfulness and present-moment awareness — grounding practices that keep clients within their window of tolerance during action work
The framework is taught through professional trainings, workshops, and consultation for clinicians, treatment centers, and agencies serving complex trauma and co-occurring disorders.
The Book: Covert Emotional Incest: The Hidden Sexual Abuse — A Story of Hope and Healing
In her groundbreaking book, Adena names and unpacks CEI for the first time as the hidden form of child sexual abuse it truly is — a dynamic in which a parent uses a child as a surrogate spouse, confidant, or emotional supply, often with an undercurrent of sexual energy, and almost always without physical contact. Blending personal story with 35+ years of clinical expertise, the book walks readers through:
- How CEI operates inside family systems and why it so often goes unseen
- The psychological, relational, and somatic impacts that follow survivors into adulthood — boundary confusion, loyalty conflicts, struggles with intimacy, and complex grief
- Why naming the experience is the first step toward ending decades of self-blame
- A clear, hopeful path through anger, grief, and authentic forgiveness toward recovery
- Practical tools for survivors and the therapists, coaches, and clergy who support them
The book is essential reading for adult survivors who sense something was “off” in their family-of-origin but never had language for it, and for mental health professionals seeking a clinical framework for identifying and treating this frequently misdiagnosed form of abuse. Get the book on Amazon →
Experience & Reach
A leader in the field of traumatic stress and addiction for over 35 years, Adena has delivered more than 1,000 workshops on childhood sexual abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse and addiction, and related mental health concerns. Her lectures and presentations are lively, experiential, and rooted in action-based learning — participants consistently report that being introduced to CEI through this approach delivers life-changing insight into both their clients’ experiences and their own.
Credentials
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LISAC)
- Board Certified Expert® in Traumatic Stress (BCETS)
- Certified Psychodrama Practitioner (CP)
- BA in Psychology, SUNY Binghamton
- MSW with honors, Adelphi University
Adena nurtures her fun-loving side by traveling, hiking in the Arizona desert, and singing at the top of her lungs while driving.