Skip to content
  • Report Harm
  • Newsletter
  • Press Room
Facebook Linkedin YouTube Instagram Twitter Spotify
Benzodiazepine Information Coalition
  • About BenzodiazepinesExpand
    • Benzo BasicsExpand
      • Ashton Manual
      • A Brief History Of Benzodiazepines
      • Class Actions and Lawsuits—and Reporting Harm 
      • FDA 2020 Benzodiazepine Boxed Warning
      • Medications and Supplements of Concern
      • Xanax Study Outcomes
    • Benzo Stories
    • PrescribingExpand
      • Addiction vs Physical Dependence
      • Genetic Testing
      • Informed Consent
      • Low Dose Benzodiazepines
      • Mechanism of Action
      • Prescribing Statistics
      • Steps to Reduce Benzodiazepine Overprescribing
      • Therapeutic Actions
    • Prescribing RisksExpand
      • Akathisia
      • Fluoroquinolones
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Interdose Withdrawal
      • Paradoxical Reactions
      • Physical Dependence
      • Risks of Remaining on Benzodiazepines
      • Red Flags
      • Short-Term Risks
      • Side Effects
      • Suicide
      • Tolerance
    • DeprescribingExpand
      • Ashton Manual
      • Tapering Strategies and Solutions
      • Detox, Cold Turkey, Abrupt Cessation
      • Estimates of Withdrawal
      • How To Find Tapering Help
      • Dosages Prevent Safe Withdrawal
      • Why Patients Shouldn’t Go To Detox or Rehab
    • Desprescribing RisksExpand
      • Akathisia
      • Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome (BWS)
      • Forced Switching or Stopping
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Kindling
      • Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome (PWS)
      • Suicide
      • Withdrawal & Post Withdrawal Symptoms
    • Special PopulationsExpand
      • Benzodiazepines and PTSD
      • Celebrities
      • COVID-19
      • Elderly
      • Women
      • Incarcerated Population
      • Substance Use Disorders
  • About UsExpand
    • Our Mission
    • Board Members and Advisors
    • Press Room
    • Receive Our Newsletter
    • FAQs
    • VolunteerExpand
      • Informed Consent Policy
      • FDA Reporting Program
      • Share Your Story!
      • Media Interview List Registration
    • Contact Us
  • Our ImpactExpand
    • Media Outreach
    • Podcasts
    • Programs and Projects
    • Research and Publications
    • Speaking and Events
    • Quarterly Updates
    • Upcoming Events
  • ResourcesExpand
    • Ashton Manual
    • Benzodiazepine Tapering Strategies and Solutions
    • Financial and Disability Information
    • How To Find Tapering Help
    • Support
    • Information
    • Benzodiazepine Cooperative Providers
  • Blog
  • Donate
Donate
Facebook Linkedin Twitter Instagram YouTube
Benzodiazepine Information Coalition

Jennifer Swantkowski, Ph.D., LCSW

 Jennifer Swantkowski earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Houston in 1996. The first eight years of her career were focused on grief and loss as she served as a Hospice Social Worker working with both children and adults diagnosed with a terminal illness. She completed a post-graduate Fellowship in End of Life Care from Smith College in Northampton, MA in 2003 and then returned a year later to begin work towards her PhD in Clinical Social Work from Smith College.  

Upon completion of her doctorate, Jennifer worked as a family therapist at the Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge, MA and taught at Boston College. She then relocated back to Houston to be closer to family and began to work as an individual and family therapist at The Menninger Clinic in Houston, Texas.  While at Menninger, she developed various courses and taught the graduate Fellows that rotated through the Clinic annually. She also served as adjunct faculty at the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work.  Jennifer also developed a curriculum for clinicians and families to better understand Borderline Personality Disorder and gave talks at conferences, colleges and hospitals across the country. 

For the last ten years Jennifer has been in private practice working with adults providing individual and couples counseling. In her practice she focused mainly on two demographics: professionals dealing with issues such as anxiety, addiction and relational struggles; and young adults who were failing to launch in their lives. Unfortunately, due to a neuro-toxic reaction to an antibiotic and subsequent struggle to come off the benzodiazepine she was prescribed for that injury, Jennifer made the difficult decision to step away from her clinical practice in 2020.   

During time away from her practice, Jennifer has focused on healing as well as heavily researching the realm of medication injury and benzodiazepine withdrawal.  She has written a book called The Waiting Room:  My Journey of Recovery from Medication Injury and Benzodiazepine Withdrawal that is due out in mid-summer of 2022.  She currently spends time working on her second book and creating YouTube videos discussing various issues related to benzodiazepine withdrawal as well as a separate series called Therapy from the Sidelines. She is passionate about being a part of advocacy and awareness efforts and is honored to be a part of the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition.

  • Media
  • Research and Publications
Anxiety And Benzo Withdrawal : Pain vs Suffering (Podcast Episode 223)
This week I’m joined by therapist and author Jennifer Swantowski as she shares her ongoing experience with benzodiazepine withdrawal and anxiety. Jennifer i…
www.youtube.com
Episode 39: Jennifer Swantkowski, Ph.D. – Victim, Advocate, Author
Jennifer Swantkowski has her masters in social work from the University of Houston, a post-graduate fellowship in End of Life Care, and a PhD in Clinical Soc…
www.youtube.com
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
This playlist is a compilation of various topics related to benzodiazepine withdrawal.
www.youtube.com
The Waiting Room: My Recovery Journey from Medication Injury & Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
The Waiting Room: My Recovery Journey from Medication Injury & Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
www.amazon.com

Contact Us

Inquiries
bic@benzoinfo.com

As an awareness organization, we do not offer any support services or guidance. See our resources for services and support.

Mailing Address
1042 Ft. Union Blvd, PMB 1030
Midvale, Utah 84047

Support BIC

We were formed to change the lack of knowledge in the public and the medical system. But we cannot do it alone. We rely solely on donations to operate. We are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.

DONATE

Newsletter

Get notified about the latest studies, updates, calls to action, media stories, and other information.

*

IMPORTANT: After signing up, check your email to confirm we have the correct address. If you do not see an email, check your spam. We will add you to our newsletter once you complete this step to ensure delivery.

Notices

Benzodiazepine Information Coalition is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.

EIN: 81-3442343

Privacy Policy
Medical Disclaimer
Terms and Conditions
Free Charity Hosting by Kualo

Facebook Linkedin YouTube Instagram Twitter Spotify

© 2023 Benzodiazepine Information Coalition

Scroll to top
  • About Benzodiazepines
    • Benzo Basics
      • Ashton Manual
      • A Brief History Of Benzodiazepines
      • Class Actions and Lawsuits—and Reporting Harm 
      • FDA 2020 Benzodiazepine Boxed Warning
      • Medications and Supplements of Concern
      • Xanax Study Outcomes
    • Benzo Stories
    • Prescribing
      • Addiction vs Physical Dependence
      • Genetic Testing
      • Informed Consent
      • Low Dose Benzodiazepines
      • Mechanism of Action
      • Prescribing Statistics
      • Steps to Reduce Benzodiazepine Overprescribing
      • Therapeutic Actions
    • Prescribing Risks
      • Akathisia
      • Fluoroquinolones
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Interdose Withdrawal
      • Paradoxical Reactions
      • Physical Dependence
      • Risks of Remaining on Benzodiazepines
      • Red Flags
      • Short-Term Risks
      • Side Effects
      • Suicide
      • Tolerance
    • Deprescribing
      • Ashton Manual
      • Tapering Strategies and Solutions
      • Detox, Cold Turkey, Abrupt Cessation
      • Estimates of Withdrawal
      • How To Find Tapering Help
      • Dosages Prevent Safe Withdrawal
      • Why Patients Shouldn’t Go To Detox or Rehab
    • Desprescribing Risks
      • Akathisia
      • Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome (BWS)
      • Forced Switching or Stopping
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Kindling
      • Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome (PWS)
      • Suicide
      • Withdrawal & Post Withdrawal Symptoms
    • Special Populations
      • Benzodiazepines and PTSD
      • Celebrities
      • COVID-19
      • Elderly
      • Women
      • Incarcerated Population
      • Substance Use Disorders
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Board Members and Advisors
    • Press Room
    • Receive Our Newsletter
    • FAQs
    • Volunteer
      • Informed Consent Policy
      • FDA Reporting Program
      • Share Your Story!
      • Media Interview List Registration
    • Contact Us
  • Our Impact
    • Media Outreach
    • Podcasts
    • Programs and Projects
    • Research and Publications
    • Speaking and Events
    • Quarterly Updates
    • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
    • Ashton Manual
    • Benzodiazepine Tapering Strategies and Solutions
    • Financial and Disability Information
    • How To Find Tapering Help
    • Support
    • Information
    • Benzodiazepine Cooperative Providers
  • Blog
  • Donate
Search
Open toolbar Accessibility Tools

Accessibility Tools

  • Increase TextIncrease Text
  • Decrease TextDecrease Text
  • GrayscaleGrayscale
  • High ContrastHigh Contrast
  • Negative ContrastNegative Contrast
  • Light BackgroundLight Background
  • Links UnderlineLinks Underline
  • Readable FontReadable Font
  • Reset Reset