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Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing
Thriving After Trauma addresses readers who have experience trauma or loss due to a variety of experience - whether accident, abuse, or injury. Shari Botwin shows readers, through personal stories, how many who have experienced the worst kinds of trauma have managed to move on and thrive beyond their experiences.
Often, those who live through trauma come away with feelings of shame, guilt, anger, and despair. These are common, even normal, responses in the immediate aftermath. Left unaddressed, though, those feelings may develop into substance abuse problems, eating disorders, depression, or anxiety. Learning how to move on, to pick up and live life again, takes effort and guidance. Botwin guides readers through the stories of others who have gone on to live fulfilling, happy lives, and provides tips and tools for healing and moving on.
Letting go of the shame, guilt, anger and fear associated with tragic events is crucial to reclaiming a full life. Strategies such as, journaling, mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral restructuring, and healthy relationships to aid in recovery are explored and explained, so readers can adopt those strategies that work best for them.
It is not the trauma itself that results in so many people developing self-destructive tendencies and life threatening illnesses. It is the lack of having a way to digest and make sense of the trauma-related feelings that can lead one to mental illness, disconnection, and in some cases, even death. Readers will learn how to live with the trauma versus how to get over the trauma, so they can move forward healthfully and mindfully.--Rosemarie Aquilina, Court Judge, Motivational Speaker, Law Professor, Author of Triple Cross Killer
Often, those who live through trauma come away with feelings of shame, guilt, anger, and despair. These are common, even normal, responses in the immediate aftermath. Left unaddressed, though, those feelings may develop into substance abuse problems, eating disorders, depression, or anxiety. Learning how to move on, to pick up and live life again, takes effort and guidance. Botwin guides readers through the stories of others who have gone on to live fulfilling, happy lives, and provides tips and tools for healing and moving on.
Letting go of the shame, guilt, anger and fear associated with tragic events is crucial to reclaiming a full life. Strategies such as, journaling, mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral restructuring, and healthy relationships to aid in recovery are explored and explained, so readers can adopt those strategies that work best for them.
It is not the trauma itself that results in so many people developing self-destructive tendencies and life threatening illnesses. It is the lack of having a way to digest and make sense of the trauma-related feelings that can lead one to mental illness, disconnection, and in some cases, even death. Readers will learn how to live with the trauma versus how to get over the trauma, so they can move forward healthfully and mindfully.--Rosemarie Aquilina, Court Judge, Motivational Speaker, Law Professor, Author of Triple Cross Killer
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2019
15 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Shari Botwin
3 books6 followersShari Botwin, LCSW, has been counseling survivors in recovery from all types of trauma in her Cherry Hill, New Jersey private practice for over twenty-seven years. Her second book, “Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing, Rowman & Littlefield,” (Rowman & Littlefield, November 8, 2019) deals with overcoming trauma including physical and sexual abuse, war-related injury, loss due to tragedy or illness and natural disasters. Real stories and practical tools shed light on how to let go of the shame, guilt, anger, and despair after a traumatic experience. Botwin's third book, "Stolen Childhoods," releases worldwide on May 7, 2024! Botwin is also narrating the audiobook, launching June 11, 2024.
Botwin has served as a trauma expert witness in civil and criminal cases involving childhood abuse, sexual assault, gun violence and related issues. She is also a featured guest trauma contributor on the Law and Crime Network.
She has conducted Keynote presentations for Monte Nido, International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Organization, Hoftstra University and Bay Path University. Shari has given expert commentary on breaking stories related to trauma (Covid-19) on a variety of international media outlets; including ,NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning NBC News Now with Dr. John Torres, NBC Stay Tuned, ABC News, CBS News, MSNBC Live, CTV News, CP-24 News, CNN, Sports Illustrated, Prevention Magazine, The New York Times, Parade Magazine, Parents Magazine, Newsbreak, Greatist, The Associated Press, Philadelphia Magazine and Radio Europe. Shari has also published feature articles in Thrive Global, Medium, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Toronto Star. She has dedicated her life’s work to helping survivors after living through years of childhood abuse and multiple traumas in her early adulthood.
Botwin has served as a trauma expert witness in civil and criminal cases involving childhood abuse, sexual assault, gun violence and related issues. She is also a featured guest trauma contributor on the Law and Crime Network.
She has conducted Keynote presentations for Monte Nido, International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Organization, Hoftstra University and Bay Path University. Shari has given expert commentary on breaking stories related to trauma (Covid-19) on a variety of international media outlets; including ,NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning NBC News Now with Dr. John Torres, NBC Stay Tuned, ABC News, CBS News, MSNBC Live, CTV News, CP-24 News, CNN, Sports Illustrated, Prevention Magazine, The New York Times, Parade Magazine, Parents Magazine, Newsbreak, Greatist, The Associated Press, Philadelphia Magazine and Radio Europe. Shari has also published feature articles in Thrive Global, Medium, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Toronto Star. She has dedicated her life’s work to helping survivors after living through years of childhood abuse and multiple traumas in her early adulthood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 23, 2019
Wow!
Sooo many feels, relatable moments and things to remember. Love when memories are described and how they relate to the present moment. The helpful healing strategies following each chapter are like a mini self-help workshop.
I could really feel Botwin's strength, courage, and humility throughout... as well as everyone else featured.
**This book can be a kickstarter for anyone not ready or willing to tell/share their "trauma" story -- or for those working on processing their own trauma.
Highly recommend.
Laura F.
Director, 'We Are Columbine' film.
Sooo many feels, relatable moments and things to remember. Love when memories are described and how they relate to the present moment. The helpful healing strategies following each chapter are like a mini self-help workshop.
I could really feel Botwin's strength, courage, and humility throughout... as well as everyone else featured.
**This book can be a kickstarter for anyone not ready or willing to tell/share their "trauma" story -- or for those working on processing their own trauma.
Highly recommend.
Laura F.
Director, 'We Are Columbine' film.
November 27, 2020
Shari Botwin’s Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing is a powerful combination of Botwin’s expertise in the area of mental health and her own personal experience with trauma. A must-read for trauma survivors, this book speaks to the innate powerful ability within all of us to heal from trauma, no matter how many difficulties and challenges we face along the way.
This is a book for anyone who has experienced trauma or is simply interested in the subject. Either way, readers are taken on a compelling journey through personal stories of trauma and successful recovery. I found Botwin’s approach and perspective on common trauma-related feelings such as shame, anger, and despair deeply insightful. These are feelings that many of us tend to avoid, having been through trauma or not. Botwin highlights the importance of seeking to resolve these feelings before they manifest as problems in other domains of our life, such as substance abuse, eating disorders and depression.
There are several effective strategies outlined in Botwin’s book that can help those who have experienced trauma overcome their past and reclaim a full, joyful life. Botwin discusses the importance and effectiveness of mindfulness, cognitive reframing, journaling and psychoeducation in helping trauma survivors do what is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of recovery - developing the ability to fully digest, accept and ultimately make sense of their experiences. It is this initial inability, explains Botwin, that makes it so hard for trauma survivors to move on from their past. In my own work, I have noticed a strong aversion in my clients to explore their experiences and a deep desire to simply forget about them, but until we find effective means of approaching and coping with our traumatic memories, they will persist, potentially drive us towards maladaptive behaviour and manifest as illness and psychological difficulties.
Botwin’s 20 years of experience as a clinician are apparent in Thriving After Trauma. Her expertise and insight on trauma shine through in her writing, and her practical advice and guidance are excellent tools to be applied on the healing journey. In light of our difficult and deeply upsetting past experiences, Botwin shows us how we can still live a full life after trauma and thrive despite it.
One thing that significantly impresses me about this book is the combination of compassion, empathy, honesty and humility that Botwin is not afraid to show. She highlights to the reader how trauma does not have to be a life sentence. Life can still be rich with joy and meaning even though we may never fully forget our history.
Silence about our issues is detrimental to our health. Botwin writes about how developing and using her voice as a trauma survivor has been a powerful step on the journey back to health, and offers a simple yet effective guide for those struggling with their past experiences. I highly recommend Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing to anyone who may be struggling to deal with their past, as it offers invaluable insight and may just be the catalyst for the positive change you are seeking. It’s a brilliant book and one I also recommend to many of my clients.
This is a book for anyone who has experienced trauma or is simply interested in the subject. Either way, readers are taken on a compelling journey through personal stories of trauma and successful recovery. I found Botwin’s approach and perspective on common trauma-related feelings such as shame, anger, and despair deeply insightful. These are feelings that many of us tend to avoid, having been through trauma or not. Botwin highlights the importance of seeking to resolve these feelings before they manifest as problems in other domains of our life, such as substance abuse, eating disorders and depression.
There are several effective strategies outlined in Botwin’s book that can help those who have experienced trauma overcome their past and reclaim a full, joyful life. Botwin discusses the importance and effectiveness of mindfulness, cognitive reframing, journaling and psychoeducation in helping trauma survivors do what is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of recovery - developing the ability to fully digest, accept and ultimately make sense of their experiences. It is this initial inability, explains Botwin, that makes it so hard for trauma survivors to move on from their past. In my own work, I have noticed a strong aversion in my clients to explore their experiences and a deep desire to simply forget about them, but until we find effective means of approaching and coping with our traumatic memories, they will persist, potentially drive us towards maladaptive behaviour and manifest as illness and psychological difficulties.
Botwin’s 20 years of experience as a clinician are apparent in Thriving After Trauma. Her expertise and insight on trauma shine through in her writing, and her practical advice and guidance are excellent tools to be applied on the healing journey. In light of our difficult and deeply upsetting past experiences, Botwin shows us how we can still live a full life after trauma and thrive despite it.
One thing that significantly impresses me about this book is the combination of compassion, empathy, honesty and humility that Botwin is not afraid to show. She highlights to the reader how trauma does not have to be a life sentence. Life can still be rich with joy and meaning even though we may never fully forget our history.
Silence about our issues is detrimental to our health. Botwin writes about how developing and using her voice as a trauma survivor has been a powerful step on the journey back to health, and offers a simple yet effective guide for those struggling with their past experiences. I highly recommend Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing to anyone who may be struggling to deal with their past, as it offers invaluable insight and may just be the catalyst for the positive change you are seeking. It’s a brilliant book and one I also recommend to many of my clients.
December 15, 2020
When I read Shari Botwin‘s book, thriving after trauma, I was deeply moved by the stories of trauma victims who have received therapy with Shari. My own story also appears in the book. As I read the case studies of her other patients, as well as Shari’s own past trauma, I thought about all the people suffering every day as a result of exposure to trauma. Shari explains that victims of trauma often do not reach out for professional help until years, perhaps decades, after a traumatic event. Meanwhile, they suffer deep-seated consequences arising from entrenched emotional pain, fear and confusion. All the stories revealed that recovering from trauma is profoundly difficult and complex. Shari takes trauma victims to new levels of healing. She helps them to integrate self-care, find peace, and discover that it is possible to thrive after trauma. Shari is a therapist who continually learns from her patients. With this book, she offers us the gift of her learning, Her skill and her open heart. I am among those who came to her and found renewal. I thank her from The bottom of my heart. There are many, many people out there who need to read this remarkable book and find a path to their own personal renewal.
Joe D.
Joe D.
August 25, 2020
After hearing a portion of Shari’s story during an interview, I rushed to by her book Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing. The stories she shares, hers as well as those of others, are tough to digest emotionally and sensitive in nature but are so important. Trauma affects everyone – the victims, the survivors, the perpetrators, and all of their families.
As someone who never really experienced trauma, but did witness it, I was able to find something relatable in each of the stories. I've been battling depression and suicidal ideation for almost 3 decades, and the takeaways Shari provides with each story are great tools.
Botwin provides her patients with a kind, gentle and safe space to open up about their experiences and does so without pressuring them. It’s repeatedly reinforced, and important to remember, that everyone heals at a different pace and there is no time limit to when someone does it.
Her own traumatic experiences, though sad to read, provide her with an ability to help others heal that goes beyond psychology and what can be found in a text book or course.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s experienced trauma or known someone who has, as it provides an opportunity to increase your understanding of how impactful trauma can be.
As someone who never really experienced trauma, but did witness it, I was able to find something relatable in each of the stories. I've been battling depression and suicidal ideation for almost 3 decades, and the takeaways Shari provides with each story are great tools.
Botwin provides her patients with a kind, gentle and safe space to open up about their experiences and does so without pressuring them. It’s repeatedly reinforced, and important to remember, that everyone heals at a different pace and there is no time limit to when someone does it.
Her own traumatic experiences, though sad to read, provide her with an ability to help others heal that goes beyond psychology and what can be found in a text book or course.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s experienced trauma or known someone who has, as it provides an opportunity to increase your understanding of how impactful trauma can be.
February 29, 2020
As a trauma survivor and therapist, Shari has beautifully documented not only her own recovery, but the recovery of scores of others she has treated over the past 20 years. What impresses me most about this engaging, personal book, is Shari’s personal honesty that life after trauma can be rich, meaningful and wonderful, despite the fact that trauma survivors will unexpectedly find themselves facing memories feelings and fears related to their abuse. Her book illustrates how we never totally get over our history, but none-the-less, can make incredible strides and live happy, productive lives. Many abuse survivors think there is something wrong with them when they realize that their abuse history has not totally evaporated, but Shari assures them that having flashbacks or feelings from the past are totally normal. Throughout the book she emphasizes how speaking up is what has helped her heal. She offers a plethora of strategies for survivors for every step of their journey. Hats off to Shari who has told her truth: that breaking the chains of silence is the pathway out of shame, isolation and self blame.
October 23, 2019
Dear Shari,
I picked up this book because I am a survivor of domestic violence who is trying to thrive after trauma. I have been successful thus far but there is always room for improvement. I learned a lot from reading your book and for that I am grateful. I now have the words to explain what are some of my emotions and feelings. I also now know where my binge eating disorder originates and will take the steps to vanquish the urges.
I loved how you brought in real stories, not only from yourself, from people of various backgrounds of trauma. Some of I did not relate to and that is okay because many of the feelings are similar.
I loved how you provided little exercises at the end of each chapter. I have copied down all the ones that relate to my abuse history and trauma.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you Netgalley and Rowman & Littlefield for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Shari Botwin's goal for this book was to unite us abuse survivors whether or not we have things in common. I'd say she successfully achieved this goal.
I picked up this book because I am a survivor of domestic violence who is trying to thrive after trauma. I have been successful thus far but there is always room for improvement. I learned a lot from reading your book and for that I am grateful. I now have the words to explain what are some of my emotions and feelings. I also now know where my binge eating disorder originates and will take the steps to vanquish the urges.
I loved how you brought in real stories, not only from yourself, from people of various backgrounds of trauma. Some of I did not relate to and that is okay because many of the feelings are similar.
I loved how you provided little exercises at the end of each chapter. I have copied down all the ones that relate to my abuse history and trauma.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you Netgalley and Rowman & Littlefield for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Shari Botwin's goal for this book was to unite us abuse survivors whether or not we have things in common. I'd say she successfully achieved this goal.
December 12, 2019
This book is a must read for everyone—not only for people navigating their way through trauma, but for those who know someone who is doing so. Beautifully written, engaging, and deeply personal, this book is instrumental in helping people know that they are not alone, and offers hope by showing the path forward. As both a counselor and survivor of abuse herself, author Shari Botwin has a powerful perspective, and she uses the power of personal stories, including her own, to help survivors of sexual violence, mass shootings, and other traumatic events that plague our society today. She takes us through the feelings of guilt, shame, and blame that predators bring, through the human tendency to look back and blame ourselves for the crimes that others commit upon us, and helps us see clearly through the fog, grab back the power, and forge a new path. This book is pure power.
May 19, 2023
This book was so refreshing! It builds women up and shows us what life can be like if we allow ourselves to let go and recover! Let's admit it. If we've been through trauma, it's hard to let go of all the years of pain & damage that our trauma caused in our lives. When I was abused as a child, I went away in my head.. and stayed away until my young adulthood. When I finally got help, I figured out what caused the years of depression, self-loathing, substance abuse and irresponsible behavior.. and I was MAD! I had righteous indignation! I didn't want to let go, I didn't know how & I certainly wasn't going to forgive my abuser! And secretly I was afraid of the person I would become if I did! Reading this book shows that breaking the cycle of being comfortable with being UNcomfortable is possible! Happiness doesn't have to be scary! The ONLY drawback was of one particular story. She'd been abused by her mentors at a horse ranch. She even made a movie about her experience that I regret watching! TRIGGER ALERT: SCENES OF ABUSE ARE TOO REALISTIC & CAN TRIGGER SENSITIVE VIEWERS (like me)! I had an entire counseling session about that movie! I had an adverse reaction to the male & female abusers of that girl! I believe it showed WAY TOO MUCH and left little to the imagination, not that I wanted to imagine it! Then I did some research & found out that, in the movie, the "justice" she got from exposing the creep.. She didn't actually confront or expose her real abusers in real life! The reason why she decided not to was something along the lines of her reasoning it wasn't worth reporting because he was way too old to do anything to young girls anymore (Maybe she hadn't heart of viagra?) I know I'll never meet her nor will she ever read my review! But I'm over here being all upset at her! Her being in such a public line of work, she could have ruined these guy's lives like they ruined hers & other young girls! I wanted to se justice being served to her abusers but I was so mad at her! Yeah.. So, I'm trying really hard not to hold anything against her.. everyone has different circumstances and feelings about their own trauma, I can't take on their issues! So anyway, back to the beautiful book! There were NO triggering details in this book of any one's abuse, so that was great! All in all I give this book five full stars! Definitely worth a read! Read this book if you're struggling with the results of years of untreated trauma!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2020
Shari Botwin has given the world an incredible piece of healing work here. Anyone who has experienced trauma or knows someone who has will benefit from this book. Shari shares her own personal stories as well as stories of others who have experienced a variety of traumas.
Shari has over 2 decades of experience as a clinician and it is obvious that she knows trauma healing well. Her tips are practical and if applied will lead to great healing. This book really does lead us to THRIVE in light of the deep hurt we have experienced.
What a great resource for anyone on a healing journey.
The publisher provided an ARC through Netgalley. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts
Shari has over 2 decades of experience as a clinician and it is obvious that she knows trauma healing well. Her tips are practical and if applied will lead to great healing. This book really does lead us to THRIVE in light of the deep hurt we have experienced.
What a great resource for anyone on a healing journey.
The publisher provided an ARC through Netgalley. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts
March 4, 2020
this is a very impactful book on looking at trauma symptoms in a way that amazes me. Symptoms of trauma like substance abuse or eating disorders (ED) are something that I never understood could be about trauma to the degree that the book describes. The author lays out examples of how clients experienced their trauma and how they began to heal and that just left hope for me, and hopefully others that one can thrive after trauma.
The flow of the book is cool, easy, yet hard only in the fact that it goes over a hard topic. It is emotionally impact-full and even a little bit of a self-help book in the scene that it offers pointers to better your life at the end of each chapter and provides a list of resources at the end.
The flow of the book is cool, easy, yet hard only in the fact that it goes over a hard topic. It is emotionally impact-full and even a little bit of a self-help book in the scene that it offers pointers to better your life at the end of each chapter and provides a list of resources at the end.
March 20, 2020
Wow, what an incredible book did I read. Written by Shari Botwin, a therapist who provides the reader with true stories of some of her patients on the trauma they have gone thru and dealt through therapy by overcoming their issues in life.
Thriving thru trauma, goes into the depths of real patients' lives and therapy showing how people who have gone through terrible traumas have overcome and moved on to live happy and nourishing lives.
The book is also filled with her tips and knowledge of therapy that she has given and used as a therapist helping her patients through the trauma and ordeal and it shows the reader the true story behind the scenes of someone who's in therapy and how to continue to live.
Thriving thru trauma, goes into the depths of real patients' lives and therapy showing how people who have gone through terrible traumas have overcome and moved on to live happy and nourishing lives.
The book is also filled with her tips and knowledge of therapy that she has given and used as a therapist helping her patients through the trauma and ordeal and it shows the reader the true story behind the scenes of someone who's in therapy and how to continue to live.
September 13, 2020
Written by a psychotherapist who is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, this book explains the inexplicable. Traumatic experiences in childhood happen when the brain can’t make sense of the power dynamics inherent in abuse.
Everything gets explained in simplistic terms that hold the innocent child as the one to blame. Shame abounds and the narrative of “it’s my fault” takes hold.
In Thriving After Trauma, Shari Botwin shows us her giftedness as a teacher. She weaves together lessons from her own experiences along with those of many clients she has helped to heal and recover. Shari sheds light on the confusion set up by trauma and offers enormous wisdom to help in our own healing journey.
Jane Shure, co-founder The Resilience Group
Everything gets explained in simplistic terms that hold the innocent child as the one to blame. Shame abounds and the narrative of “it’s my fault” takes hold.
In Thriving After Trauma, Shari Botwin shows us her giftedness as a teacher. She weaves together lessons from her own experiences along with those of many clients she has helped to heal and recover. Shari sheds light on the confusion set up by trauma and offers enormous wisdom to help in our own healing journey.
Jane Shure, co-founder The Resilience Group
December 17, 2020
This book was eye opening for several reasons for me. First, knowing Shari personally made this that much more heart breaking and impactiful. She has helped every member of my family adnd is the reason I reccomend mental health check ups for everyone. The stories she shared shook me to my core and I had to stop several times to shed some tears for those who have experienced such horrors in their lives. I fell I owed it to those survivors to read the entire book and share thier stories when I could. You never know who you might be helping by letting people know that you care and are willing to listen. Thank you Shari for all that you've done for me and my family as well as those you are helping heal through this book.
November 29, 2019
This is a must read book for all who have been through trauma and abuse. Shari Botwin touches upon so many aspects of real life issues. Through her work, research and personal story, Botwin does not hold back. I admire her courage to incorporate her own life struggles along side her patients. Shari teaches us that we all have a story, and it is important to share it. There are many helpful tools in this book that so many people can benefit from. Thank you for writing this important book.
February 2, 2020
Thriving After Trauma is an emotionally gripping read that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Sexual abuse is such a tough subject to discuss, and sadly many people hide and feel shame because of their physical abuse. By sharing her personal experience, Shari helps readers understand that they are not alone. Many people have suffered abuse in silence, yet just as many have spoken out, gotten support and learned how to be happy, successful people. Shari discusses how this healing process is different for everyone, but also possible for everyone. A truly inspiring read.
October 15, 2020
This beautifully written book is the most authentic read. Shari dives into her own personal story of trauma, abuse, and healing. She talks about how it has shaped her private practice in helping those suffering with similar traumatic experiences. Overcoming PTSD along with the pain and suffering associated with it. She shares many examples of different stories, but the link that ties it all together is every story is one of hope and healing. Shari’s book is a must read with so much self help. She’s amazing in every way.
March 3, 2020
I picked up this book out of curiosity after finding it in the new release section in the library. It’s so good I don’t want to return it. I’ll be buying my own copy so that I can highlight sections that stand out to me.
The most helpful part for me was the chapter on telling your story, facing your fears of speaking out & finding freedom.
So inspiring & encouraging. Thank you Shari for such a helpful transformational book.
The most helpful part for me was the chapter on telling your story, facing your fears of speaking out & finding freedom.
So inspiring & encouraging. Thank you Shari for such a helpful transformational book.
March 8, 2021
It takes tremendous courageous to share the details of your own painful experience with the whole world for the selfless purpose of helping others. With great compassion and grace, Shari shares her story and the stories of her patients in an inspirational expression of hope for survivors of trauma. Beautifully written. I highly recommend this book.
Kim M. Ciesinski, Esq. - founder of ADRLaw and host of Podcast "Happily...Even After"
Kim M. Ciesinski, Esq. - founder of ADRLaw and host of Podcast "Happily...Even After"
November 10, 2020
Best book I’ve read on trauma in a long time. It made me understand some of my difficulties and the issues I deal with so much better. I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s gone through abuse or trauma in their life. Shari, thank you for sharing your story and helping victims believe they can thrive after abuse.
February 2, 2020
As a survivor of multiple traumas, I LOVED everything about this book. It was most relatable. The relationships between the patients and their therapist gave me as much hope as their stories of thriving and healing. May we all find the way to heal and the right messenger to guide us!
February 8, 2020
When you share your story with the world, you heal yourself and you heal the World. That is what Ms.Botwin has done in her book with such beautiful honesty and her truth. Much needed, thank you
January 11, 2021
Amazing insight and super helpful in guiding me towards finding my inner feelings
November 12, 2020
Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing review
This was a break from my usual fiction book adventures. Shari Botwin reached out to me and I promised to read her book if my library had a copy—and it did! After waiting a few weeks, I got my hand on a copy. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this book. Shari Botwin begins by telling a little bit of her journey with trauma. After that, she weaves together a series of stories where people faced traumatic events (abuse, accidents, death, events, etc.) that affected their lives greatly. Despite going through some of the most horrific things a person can go through, I think every story (or almost every) ended in hope. The message from the start until the very end was clear: hope and healing exist no matter what kind of trauma we have experienced.
There were times when I read this book that I feared I would have a bad reaction because I also have a past history of abuse and so do the people close to me. As I read this book, so many memories and feelings came to mind. However, this book helped me to realize that certain things that happened to me in life caused trauma that I haven’t worked through yet. I just kind of accepted them for what they were and tried to move on with my life. Instead of having a bad reaction, I had an empowering one—I learned where I could work through some of my own trauma and begin the process of healing. If anything, this book taught me that I have the power to overcome my past and thrive. I’d recommend this book to anybody who has experienced trauma of any kind (not just abuse! Maybe a death or accident). It’s a beautiful beginning to the path of healing and learning how to thrive. Thank you Shari Botwin for being willing to share your story and experience with us all. 💜
This was a break from my usual fiction book adventures. Shari Botwin reached out to me and I promised to read her book if my library had a copy—and it did! After waiting a few weeks, I got my hand on a copy. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this book. Shari Botwin begins by telling a little bit of her journey with trauma. After that, she weaves together a series of stories where people faced traumatic events (abuse, accidents, death, events, etc.) that affected their lives greatly. Despite going through some of the most horrific things a person can go through, I think every story (or almost every) ended in hope. The message from the start until the very end was clear: hope and healing exist no matter what kind of trauma we have experienced.
There were times when I read this book that I feared I would have a bad reaction because I also have a past history of abuse and so do the people close to me. As I read this book, so many memories and feelings came to mind. However, this book helped me to realize that certain things that happened to me in life caused trauma that I haven’t worked through yet. I just kind of accepted them for what they were and tried to move on with my life. Instead of having a bad reaction, I had an empowering one—I learned where I could work through some of my own trauma and begin the process of healing. If anything, this book taught me that I have the power to overcome my past and thrive. I’d recommend this book to anybody who has experienced trauma of any kind (not just abuse! Maybe a death or accident). It’s a beautiful beginning to the path of healing and learning how to thrive. Thank you Shari Botwin for being willing to share your story and experience with us all. 💜
January 18, 2020
As a survivor of multiple traumas, I can honestly say I’m able to relate to many of the stories told in this book. Although I’ve read many survivors’ stories from various medias including in person, it never cease to amaze me how people manage to cope and thrive after experiencing horrendous traumas when they decided to seek professional help from competent therapists.
One of the things I like most is that the author isn’t afraid to use her gut instinct to sense something is amiss with her patients. She balances it out as to when to probe further and when to take a backseat. One wrong move could easily send the patient in retreat and might never see him or her again. Having said that, we all learn from trials and errors so no pressure here. =) Having compassion, although is a priceless trait, in this line of work is essential but is not enough if one doesn’t bring along certain wisdom to the table.
I hope one day I’m able to hone and use this skill in my social support work.
July 14, 2020
Shari wrote a wonderful book on how to thrive after trauma. Through courage Shari shares her story, with including stories from others. Throughout the book she provides bullet points to help an individual let go of the past, coping strategies for handling loss and how to take care of oneself. I love that after each section Shari provides all types of techniques and "thought" that the person struggling has easy to incorporate exercises. It's as if you have Shari sitting with you and guiding you through the trauma you have been through.
I love how she ends the book sharing "her life in recovery". This book is an important read for all clinicians and people who have experienced some form of trauma. As an eating disorder nutrition therapist i would highly recommend this book.
Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDRD-S
I love how she ends the book sharing "her life in recovery". This book is an important read for all clinicians and people who have experienced some form of trauma. As an eating disorder nutrition therapist i would highly recommend this book.
Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDRD-S
March 24, 2021
Although the stories are about living and healing, the stories are about so much more! “Thriving After Trauma”! Through Shari Botwin’s wealth of training, knowledge, personal trauma, and storytelling you will learn how to gain control, how to help a victim, and how to ensure suffering turns into a super-power rather than remaining a super-thorn. The strategies, understanding, and forgiveness that are masterfully illuminated, are easily understood by all and useful regardless of whether you are a victim or your loved-one is. This is a must read book. Buy two, gift one — You will be thanked many times over.
January 2, 2022
This book is so powerful, both because of the accounts of the author’s patients, and the fact that the author is sharing her own journey as well. It is obvious very early on that the author is a skilled therapist, but in her sharing her own history, she seems more accessible and empathetic to her patients. Whether you are in recovery and processing a trauma, have a loved one who has a history of trauma, or a practitioner yourself, this book is well worth reading, and sharing!
July 21, 2021
What a beautifully written guide to thriving after trauma. Shari has discussed many painful traumas, including her own, with compassion, grace, and incredibly helpful ways to heal. If you listen on Audible, the narrator has the perfect voice for this book.
November 16, 2019
Shari Botwin does a great job of teaching about trauma and sharing stories of trauma. Shari bravely tells the story of her own abuse and trauma and shows us there is light and we can all thrive.
February 17, 2024
This book was hard to read or listen to but this time I finished it as an audiobook.
I had started it once before but couldn't continue...
Heartbreaking true stories and tools/advice from the therapist/author at the end of each chapter.
I can understand that telling the trauma story to a therapist is essential in seeking help & healing, also I know that those who first told their stories and faced their traumas, gave others the courage to do so and seek help, but to what degree does coming out to family, friends or the public will help the healing process? And does telling the story help in every situation...?
The author says yes, but I'm not sure, at least not in every situation.
Awareness campaigns should always be in schools, on social media & television.....
Even though this generation is more aware & braver than our generation, they are facing other behavioral & social problems too...
In the end, NOTHING is easy, as the author says that therapy, healing, and reclaiming life is a long process and may take several years, according to each condition.
Life goes on for some and for others, it stops...
Not only those who went through trauma(s) in their life can benefit from this book but also those who went through feelings of shame, guilt, and bullying will do too.
I had started it once before but couldn't continue...
Heartbreaking true stories and tools/advice from the therapist/author at the end of each chapter.
I can understand that telling the trauma story to a therapist is essential in seeking help & healing, also I know that those who first told their stories and faced their traumas, gave others the courage to do so and seek help, but to what degree does coming out to family, friends or the public will help the healing process? And does telling the story help in every situation...?
The author says yes, but I'm not sure, at least not in every situation.
Awareness campaigns should always be in schools, on social media & television.....
Even though this generation is more aware & braver than our generation, they are facing other behavioral & social problems too...
In the end, NOTHING is easy, as the author says that therapy, healing, and reclaiming life is a long process and may take several years, according to each condition.
Life goes on for some and for others, it stops...
Not only those who went through trauma(s) in their life can benefit from this book but also those who went through feelings of shame, guilt, and bullying will do too.
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