Covert Emotional Incest: The Hidden Sexual Abuse: A Story of Hope and Healing

Traumatic. Intangible. Unspoken. All these words have one thing in common: a sexual abuse that is not widely known. In this provocative and intimate look at Covert Emotional Incest (CEI), Adena Bank Lees, LCSW, a leader in the field of traumatic stress and addiction, takes you on a moving and informative journey through her own experiences with this form of abuse. CEI, as she has defined it, is an elusive, emotional form of sexual abuse that occurs in a family system with the absence of direct genital contact. Being placed in the surrogate or substitute spouse role for a parent(s) is one of the primary tenets of CEI, but there is much more. Covert Emotional Incest: The Hidden Sexual Abuse is an enlightening read for both professionals and non-professionals alike. Adena's story and easy-to-understand therapeutic explanations will help you fully comprehend the complex nature of CEI, its damaging consequences, and the path to restoration of health and well-being. A check-list of components, specific suggestions for healing, and what to address in psychotherapy are included. In summary, Covert Emotional Incest: The Hidden Sexual Abuse, combines a compelling story with clear and helpful strategies for recovery.


About the Author
As a leader in childhood sexual abuse and addiction treatment, Adena Bank Lees has been providing international training, consulting and psychotherapy services for over 25 years. Her previous book 12 Healing Steps for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse; A Practical Guide, is used by psychotherapists world-wide to aid survivors of sexual abuse in their healing process. Adena's passion to raise public and professional awareness of covert emotional incest and its negative impact on development and functioning is spurred by her own experience and those of the many individuals and family systems she has treated throughout her career. Adena is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Internationally Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress(R) and a Certified Practitioner of Psychodrama. For more information about Adena's work go to www.adenabanklees.com.