An exclusive Q&A with Sean Walsh

In Conversation With Sean Walsh

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Sean Walsh, former CEO of The Meadows, to South Pacific Private. With extensive experience in trauma, addiction, and mental health treatment, Sean shared invaluable insights into global treatment trends, emerging modalities, and best practices.

During his visit, Sean engaged in an in-depth Q&A session, which you can find below, discussing key differences between addiction treatment models in Australia and the U.S., the latest advancements in neuroscience and trauma work, and the critical elements of a world-class treatment program. He also shared his perspective on long-term recovery success and offered advice for healthcare professionals when referring clients for addiction and mental health treatment.

Australia vs. America: Treatment & Trends

Sean, let’s dive straight in: What differences did you notice between addiction treatment models in the U.S. and Australia?

The core principles of effective treatment—trauma-informed care, evidence-based modalities, and the importance of community—are universal. However, in Australia, the healthcare system plays a different role in accessibility. Private residential care in the U.S. is often more insurance-driven, whereas in Australia, programs like South Pacific Private are uniquely positioned to provide high-quality, comprehensive care within the healthcare system.

You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the field of trauma. What have you learnt are the keys to successful trauma work?

I’ve been fortunate to work closely with some of the most renowned leaders in the field of trauma, including Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Dr. Peter Levine, Dr. Tian Dayton, Dr. Richard Schwartz, and Pia Mellody through my time at The Meadows. Collaborating with these experts has given me deep insight into the core principles of effective trauma work, particularly in residential and outpatient treatment settings.

Key Lessons from Leading Trauma Experts:

1. Safety and Stabilization are Foundational

• Before any deep trauma processing can occur, clients must feel safe—physically, emotionally, and relationally.

• Pia Mellody emphasized the importance of “re-parenting” and boundary work to create emotional safety for clients.

• Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s work on the body’s role in trauma reinforces the need for regulation techniques (e.g., grounding, movement, breathwork) before processing trauma narratives.

2. Trauma is Stored in the Body, Not Just the Mind

• Talk therapy alone is often insufficient for deep trauma healing.

• Somatic therapies like Somatic Experiencing (Dr. Peter Levine), and Neurofeedback help release stored trauma from the nervous system.

• The most effective programs integrate bottom-up (body-based) and top-down (cognitive) approaches.

3. Attachment & Relationships are Central to Healing

• Trauma is often relational in nature, so healing must happen in the context of relationships.

• Dr. Tian Dayton’s psychodrama techniques help clients reprocess trauma in a relational context.

• Richard Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems (IFS) teaches that healing occurs when we integrate fragmented parts of the self with self-compassion.

4. Addiction and Trauma are Interwoven

• In my work at The Meadows, I saw firsthand how unresolved trauma fuels addiction, eating disorders, and process addictions.

• The “trauma-informed” addiction model teaches that recovery is not just about stopping the behavior but understanding the trauma that drives it.

• Programs that integrate 12-step principles with trauma work tend to have the highest long-term success rates.

5. Experiential and Holistic Modalities Enhance Healing

• Trauma is not just cognitive—it lives in the nervous system, emotions, and behaviors.

• I’ve seen incredible breakthroughs when clients engage in equine therapy, adventure therapy, expressive arts, and spirituality-based work alongside traditional therapy.

• Holistic approaches like meditation, breathwork, and nervous system regulation practices empower clients with lifelong tools for resilience.

The Meadows Model & South Pacific Private

What do you think are the key elements of a world-class addiction and mental health treatment program?

1. A Truly Integrated & Holistic Approach

This includes evidence-based therapies (CBT, DBT, EMDR), somatic work, experiential therapies (equine, psychodrama), and holistic wellness practices (nutrition, movement, mindfulness). Addiction is often a trauma response—a world-class program must include trauma-informed care as a core pillar.

2. Medical & Psychiatric Excellence

Comprehensive medical and psychiatric assessment is critical—many clients have undiagnosed co-occurring disorders that impact their addiction and mental health. Access to detox, MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment), and personalised psychopharmacology supports long-term stabilisation. Psychiatric treatment should be evidence-based but not over-reliant on medication—the goal is to heal, not just manage symptoms.

3. A World-Class Clinical Team

The quality of clinicians defines the quality of treatment. A great program ensures therapists are highly trained in evidence-based modalities, but also have the emotional intelligence, attunement, and presence to build deep trust with clients. Ongoing training in trauma, attachment, and neuroscience is essential for a clinical team to remain cutting-edge.

4. Community & Connection as Core Components

Addiction and mental health struggles thrive in isolation; healing happens in connection. A world-class program doesn’t just provide therapy—it fosters deep connection through 12-step peer support, group work, alumni networks, and strong family involvement.

5. Structure, Accountability & Life Skills Development

Healing is not just emotional, it’s behavioural. The best programs integrate: Daily structure and routines. Accountability measures (urine drug screens, progress tracking, aftercare check-ins). Practical life skills training (financial wellness, career reintegration, healthy relationships).

6. World-Class Aftercare & Long-Term Support

Treatment is not enough, sustained recovery requires ongoing support. Programs must have strong alumni services, step-down IOP options, coaching, and telehealth access to ensure continued success. Recovery planning should begin on day one of treatment, not just at discharge.

Industry Insights & Experience

How has the approach to addiction treatment evolved over the years in the United States?

The approach to addiction treatment in the U.S. has evolved dramatically over the past several decades. What was once a punitive, moralistic view of addiction has shifted toward a scientific, evidence-based, and holistic understanding of substance use disorders. While the US still has work to do, this primarily has happened by advances in neuroscience, trauma research, pharmacology, and public health policy—all leading to more effective and compassionate treatment models.

It is an exciting time to work in this field with so much new research and information about genetics and epigenetics, neurosciences, the role of nutrition in mental well being etc. What excites you and do you think may bring about industry change?

Agreed, this is an exciting time in addiction and mental health treatment, as science, technology, and holistic wellness are converging to reshape the field. Advances in neuroscience, genetics, and epigenetics are helping us better understand how addiction and mental health disorders develop—and how they can be treated. The role of nutrition, gut health, and inflammation in mental well-being is gaining traction, shifting treatment toward integrative, whole-body approaches.

Additionally, emerging therapies like AI-driven relapse prevention, and wearable health tech are transforming how we support long-term recovery. The future of treatment will be highly personalised, neuroscience-informed, and deeply holistic, ensuring that clients receive not just symptom management, but true healing and sustainable transformation.

Compassion fatigue? Burnout? How did you manage your own wellbeing?

Burnout is real in this field, and I’ve learned that taking care of myself isn’t just important, it’s necessary to be effective. I manage it by setting clear boundaries, staying active and grounded, and surrounding myself with good people who refill my cup. Exercise, mindfulness, and time outdoors help me reset, and I make sure to stay connected to why I do this work—seeing real transformation in people’s lives. I’ve also learned that leading by example matters—when I take care of myself, it creates a culture where the team feels empowered to do the same.

Advice & Future Outlook

What advice would you give to Australian healthcare professionals when referring clients for addiction and mental health treatment?

When referring clients for addiction and mental health treatment, the key is matching them to the right level of care—whether that’s detox, residential, or outpatient support. A comprehensive assessment is crucial to address both addiction and underlying mental health issues since trauma and co-occurring disorders are often at play.

Look for programs that offer trauma-informed, dual-diagnosis care, a strong aftercare plan, and a culture where clients feel safe and supported. The right referral can be life-changing, so taking the time to find the best fit makes all the difference.

Finally – on a personal basis, what was your favourite experience in Australia?

I loved my time in Australia! The highlight was undoubtedly connecting with the team. The quality, dedication and passion for client care were evident in every conversation. Beyond work, I also enjoyed exploring Brisbane and Sydney, they are both truly beautiful cities with a warm and welcoming culture. I loved doing the Sydney Harbour bridge climb and I am now addicted to Flat Whites 🙂

Sean, thanks so much for speaking to us, with so much new research and information in our field your words and wisdom seems more important than ever.

Online Self-Assessments for Trauma, Mental Health and Addiction