Religious Trauma, Addiction and Recovery with Joakim Appell

Hosted by Kevin Young. 

Produced by J’aime Rothbard.

Growing up in a highly controlled Jehovah's Witness religious environment, ever-present fear and judgment shaped Joakim’s early life. At home, his father was an intravenous drug user, his stepfather and Grandfather were alcoholics, and his mother was involved in a cult. These childhood experiences fostered a deep sense of fear and a lack of belonging that led Joakim to struggle with low self-esteem and a loss of identity.

His journey through addiction and recovery played a crucial role in shaping his current therapeutic approach. He realized that understanding himself and his early environment allowed him to understand the actions of his mother, father, stepfather, and grandfather. This understanding led him to a state of forgiveness, where he no longer felt the need to forgive because he could see their actions through a compassionate lens.

Joakim’s personal experiences with addiction and the lack of compassion he encountered in his religious community inspired him to create safe, non-judgmental spaces for others. He emphasizes the importance of treating addicted individuals as human beings and giving them control over their recovery process. His approach is rooted in empathy, understanding, and the belief that forgiveness is an internal state achieved through understanding.

His work isn't just about addiction recovery; it's about rediscovering your true self, recognizing your innate worth, and unleashing your boundless potential. Joakim’s words will inspire you to get curious, look below surface behaviors and connect with the humanity in all you meet.

While his story illuminates the path to true empathy and human connection, the safe spaces Joakim creates invite honesty and healing to flourish. Let Joakim’s perspectives on addiction, recovery, and the importance of non-judgmental support, transform your relationships and revolutionize your approach to self-care.

Through his guidance, you'll learn how he:

• Embraces the power of forgiveness as a state of being
• Broke free from the chains of fear and judgment • Creates safe spaces for healing and growth
• Cultivated deep self-awareness and compassion • Empowers others on the path to recovery
• Finds strength in vulnerability and authenticity

Are you ready to embrace a life of greater compassion, understanding, and true freedom? Join us to experience Joakim’s world, where judgment fades away and true understanding blossoms. His words will move you to access the state of forgiveness in yourself and open to a world of compassion and connection.

 

About Joakim Appell: 

Joakim is a Trauma Therapist and Compassionate Inquiry® practitioner whose unique background has profoundly shaped his journey and professional focus. 

Growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness and facing a childhood with an alcoholic stepfather and a drug addicted father, Joakim has confronted significant challenges that have contributed to his deep understanding of trauma and healing. He has battled and recovered from drug and alcohol dependency, experienced the profound loss of his son, and navigated suicidal ideation.

 

Joakim believes that the body, brain, and mind aligned together hold the answer and the capacity to heal from trauma. As Gabor Maté states, "Trauma created in a relationship can be healed in another relational space when safety, curiosity, and compassion are present." Joakim aims to co-create a safe space with you and guide you to connect with your body in the present moment, fostering a body-mind integration experience.

 

His personal journey of recovery has equipped him with a unique capacity to be present, calm, perceptive, observant, curious, and authentic while meeting clients in their experiences. Joakim cherishes this work, as it has been crucial in his own reconnection to himself. He continues to deepen his skills and professional development by studying the works of Bessel van der Kolk, Stephen Porges, Dan Siegel, and Peter Levine.

 

Currently, Joakim works in both substance and behavioral addiction projects using Compassionate Inquiry®, and with his partner, Georgina, maintains a private practice both on Zoom and in-person in Stockholm, in Swedish, English, Spanish, Brazilian and Portuguese. 

Resources:

Professional Websites:  
https://co-compassion.com/
https://compassionateinquiry.com/directory/joakim-le-bolloch-appell/

https://co-compassion.com/Joakim is also involved in these detox & harm reduction projects: 

https://resetpmd.com/

Instagram:        

 https://www.instagram.com/compassion.therapy

Book:

 In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction