Shari Botwin, LCSW

04/15/2026

https://okmagazine.com/p/britney-spears-in-treatment-after-dui-real-story/
As I reflect on the recent headlines about Britney Spears entering treatment after a DUI, I'm reminded that recovery is often portrayed in a dramatic light, which can be misleading. From my perspective, the journey to healing is far more gradual than what we see in the media.
I believe it’s important to acknowledge that recovery is not linear; it comes with its own set of challenges and victories.
I hope that as a society, we can focus on the support and accountability necessary for long-term care. Media coverage that emphasizes these aspects can help reduce stigma and provide a more truthful representation of addiction and healing.
I stand in support of all those on their recovery journey, recognizing that each step is a vital part of the healing process.

Britney Spears recently entered a 30-day rehabilitation program one month after being arrested for driving under the influence in California.

04/12/2026

https://okmagazine.com/p/jennie-garths-painful-past-trauma-sobriety-self-worth-memoir/
Grateful to have spoken with OK! Magazine UK about Jennie Garth’s powerful new memoir, "I Choose Me"— a raw look at trauma, sobriety and self‑worth. It was meaningful to share my perspective and to see this important conversation reach more people.
OK! Magazine UK

The actress reflects on decades of personal struggles, from divorce and miscarriages to addiction, as she embraces a new chapter of healing and self-acceptance.

04/04/2026

I am thrilled to announce that the documentary developed by Columbia School of Medicine has been released. Truly humbled to have the opportunity to shed light on trauma-informed medicine and dentistry. Survivors often avoid going to doctors and getting routine medical treatment because of their histories of being hurt and mistreated by people in a position of authority.
I decided to share an experience I had as a teenager as a teaching tool to help doctors recognize warning signs and red flags when working with younger patients. To view the full short documentary feel free to reach out to me. I will be hosting Q&A panels for groups or programs that want to have a deeper discussion. Dylan Tuccillo you did incredible work on this film!!

04/03/2026

So honored to be interviewed for this exclusive story for People for helping the world better understand abuse within families!!

"The conservative Christian system in which the Duggars were raised could cover up — and exacerbate — such problems, she says.

"Kids growing up in these environments, they don't understand. You're not allowed to talk about s*x. A lot of times they don't even know that they're being abused, because they were never taught. They know something is wrong, but there's silence, secrecy, shame," Botwin says. "Sometimes teenagers are perpetrating sibling abuse as a way to say, 'I'm confused. Why is this happening in my body? I need to feel control.' Abuse is not about s*x, it's about power and control. It's also a way to act on the feeling without having to talk about it."

Addressing the problem and healing is possible, she says. "People can heal from anything no matter how bad it is, if they're willing to sit down and talk about it. I've seen siblings sit down in a room and talk openly about what happened between them. It's not just one conversation, but open, ongoing family therapy that takes place over the course of years."
Rutgers University School of Social Work

🔗: bit.ly/4tonyj7

More than two decades ago, when Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar learned their oldest son Josh had been s*xually molesting his younger sisters, the couple sent him to a church program rather than therapy.

📷️: Shutterstock

03/28/2026

True crime often focuses on the sensational — this conversation does the opposite. Savannah Guthrie courageously names the pain and the hope her family is living with since her mom went missing, and Hoda Kotb conducts the interview with integrity, grounded compassion, and deep care. It’s a powerful reminder of the role journalism can play when it centers people, not spectacle. Worth watching and reflecting on: https://www.today.com/video/extended-cut-savannah-guthrie-s-three-part-conversation-with-hoda-kotb-260181573994

NNBC NewsDDateline NBC

See all three parts of Savannah Guthrie's deeply moving conversation with Hoda Kotb about her mother Nancy's disappearance.

03/10/2026

Can’t wait to see all of you again on October 8, 2026! RiseUp Springfield and Helix Human Services

02/20/2026

02/11/2026

Truly honored to appear on CNN to discuss the trauma and disappearance of Nancy Guthrie with Jake Tapper. Praying for her safe return.

02/02/2026

It was amazing to be in studio Law & Crime to discuss another case against a female teacher who plead guilty to abusing one her of students. While these stories are sickening and upsetting, they need to be told. It is hard for a male, especially a teenager to disclose this type of trauma. What can we learn from this story? How does the lingering shame affect male survivors when they reach adulthood. Join Angenette Levy and myself for an important conversation.Angenette Levy Law & Crime Bloomsbury USA Rutgers School of Social Work

01/27/2026

Elizabeth Smart’s new Netflix documentary talks a lot about child s*xual abuse, so if that’s tough for you, please take care of yourself while watching. As someone who’s survived this kind of trauma myself, and worked with so many survivors over the years, a lot of what’s shared really hits home.
But honestly, there are so many messages of hope woven throughout. Elizabeth Smart’s story is beyond inspiring—she survived months of captivity and unimaginable abuse, and talks openly about how she found something worth living for, even in the darkest moments. I think a lot of survivors will connect to the idea that sometimes safety feels so close, yet fear keeps us silent. Some people I’ve worked with have shared that the loneliness and feeling abandoned can hurt even more than the abuse itself.
At the end of the day, this documentary is about hope, healing, and knowing you’re not alone. There are people out there who love us and want us to heal. And that reminder? It means everything.

01/09/2026

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/01/08/maxim-naumov-parents-us-figure-skating-championships/88094145007/
This week at the U.S. Championships, Maxim Naumov delivered a powerful reminder of resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. Nearly a year after losing both of his parents in a tragic plane crash, Maxim honored their memory on the ice, holding a cherished photo of them guiding him as a toddler at the skating rink. As he kissed the photo for all to see, it was a moving tribute and a powerful example of how we each find our own ways to cope with grief and move forward. His story is a testament to perseverance, love, and the enduring bonds that shape us—even through heartbreaking loss.

01/04/2026

Grab a copy now of my newest on Amazon for only $21.99. So happy to see it is on sale!

Demonstrates that reclaiming life in adulthood is possible for survivors of childhood abuse.
Stolen Childhoods: Thriving After Abuse focuses on how survivors of childhood abuse can finally break their silence and begin the process of recovery by understanding the impact their abuse history has on their adulthood. Filled with real life client conversations, along with her own experiences as a patient, this work helps readers stop reliving past abuse and thrive in their recovery. It demonstrates the tremendous hope that can come from having a witness, and feeling heard and believed.
Throughout the book, the reader witnesses how adult survivors of childhood abuse can use relationships with therapists, partners, or supportive family members to combat their feelings of shame and guilt. Botwin walks readers through ways survivors can develop trust with others and move through emotions of fear and grief. She offers examples of learning how to manage traumatic responses in situations that trigger flashbacks, feelings of unsafety, or fears of being unprotected. Offering actionable steps to healing throughout, Botwin helps readers on their journeys to reclaiming their right to live safe, happy, full lives.

Stolen Childhoods: Thriving After Abuse