Transforming Trauma: Episode 049

In this episode of Transforming Trauma, we are joined by Ken Seeley, CIP, CCMI–M, CTP-4, CATC. Ken has been professionally and personally involved in recovery since his sobriety date of July 14th, 1989. His experience with recovery and boundless enthusiasm helps him support changes in the lives of people suffering from the disease of addiction. Ken is also an author and founder of Ken Seeley Communities and Intervention 911 in Palm Springs, California. He’s been a featured interventionist on the Emmy award winning television series, Intervention, since 2005.

At one time, Ken wasn’t aware of how trauma played a role in his own struggles with addiction. Ken shares, “I have the gene, you know, my grandfather’s brother died in the streets of alcoholism in Puerto Rico, years and years and years ago. And then my cousins, I have relatives that are alcoholics that went through treatment numerous times, so it’s always been in my family genes.” Because of this focus Ken had on genetics, he didn’t see the connection between unresolved trauma and addiction until he explored trauma in a deeper way. Ken hopes listeners will look deeper into their own unaddressed or unprocessed trauma and emphasizes that even though some people might not think they are impacted by trauma, many find that if they dig deeper within themselves and expand their understanding of trauma, they can become aware of how they have been impacted.

Through learning about complex trauma, specifically through NARM, Ken started to understand what trauma was and how he was impacted by it. His understanding of what trauma can look like broadened beyond the more common ways it’s often viewed, such as physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. Ken shares some of the personal experiences he endured from being bullied by his peers in grade school and how this impacted him. “It was more of not just one instance that was traumatic, but more repetitive traumatic experiences” 

Ken reflects on the ways he survived his trauma by remaining invisible and not talking about his experiences. Ken appreciates how NARM focuses on asking questions in a curious, nonthreatening, and relational way. He found how supportive it can be to have the space of openness and curiosity that the NARM framework provides for healing. As the episode comes to a close Sarah and Ken reflect on how trauma is really about disconnection and Ken states, “We gave up on ourselves. We stopped loving ourselves, you know, and NARM is about connecting back to ourselves.”