What is Story Work? 

The term "story work" is becoming a more popular term used to define many different spiritual and psychological approaches to processing stories of harm.

During virtual story work groups, participants receive a specific narrative-focused modality for engaging and healing trauma. This builds on the lifelong work of leaders like Dan Allender and Cathy Loerzel in the field of trauma and abuse recovery. 

Participants bring a short pre-written story of harm from their childhood to engage in a small group setting, guided by a professionally trained trauma story practitioner. They are led through a proven framework for engaging and reclaiming traumatic experiences with compassion and care.

This approach to holding and healing stories integrates psychology, neuroscience, and theology that enables you explore the core narratives shaped by relationships, family systems, sexual development, and experiences of abuse. These approaches support both personal and collective trauma experiences. 

At Freedom Movement we believe healing is not only possible; it is our birthright as children of God. It is a central part of the greater gospel story God is unfolding in our lives and in the world around us.

Why is it Beneficial?

We were created by God for community and connection. By revisiting these stories in a safe and supportive group, painful memories can be reshaped through what neuroscience calls ‘reconsolidation,’ meaning they are experienced, processed, and stored again in a new way that brings healing and spiritual growth.

Through this experience, new neural-pathways are formed as the trauma is processed and participants begin to understand how their stories have shaped them. As stories are engaged, they are invited into a process of restoration with God, where participants can reclaim their stories with the truth of God's word and live more freely with an embodied experience of faith, hope, and love.

The benefits from this work are not only personal but participants gain essential context, empathy, and understanding for relationships in their life through holding others’ stories of harm within the group. They begin growing a trauma informed perspective that transforms the way they lead, love, and relate to others. As individuals walk in greater freedom in their own story, their lives invite others into the freedom God has for them. 

Freedom In Story vs. Story Work 

When choosing between Freedom and Story training and virtual story work groups, the key difference is depth and purpose. Virtual groups are designed for ongoing engagement with your personal story, but they do not fulfill the prerequisites for Freedom Movement’s coaching certification track. Freedom in Story is an in-person, three-day training that combines small-group story work with teaching on trauma, the brain, spiritual warfare, and biblical engagement with stories of harm. Because participants are physically present together, this experience allows for a deeper level of care and connection. While in-person training is always the recommended path, virtual groups can be a helpful option to begin your journey now, build trust, or prepare for a future Freedom and Story experience. You can view our upcoming Freedom In Story trainings on our Trainings Page.

Story Work vs. Coaching

If you’re choosing between virtual story work and one-on-one coaching, both are trauma-informed and spirit-filled, but they offer different kinds of support depending on your needs. Story work is designed to help you engage a specific story of harm so you can better understand your life as a whole, process grief, and recognize how your experiences have shaped your present-day responses. In a group setting, this work is enriched by community, perspective, and shared insight, creating a uniquely supportive environment.

Coaching takes a more forward-focused approach. It is also trauma-informed and spirit-filled, and it does involve exploring past stories of harm—but not in the detailed, narrative way that story work does. Instead, coaching sessions focus on how those past experiences are influencing your current beliefs, behaviors, and challenges. From there, your coach helps you move toward clear, actionable steps for growth and change.

While distinct, story work and coaching are highly complementary and can work together as part of a healthy growth process. You can view coaching options here. 

Do you have additional questions for our team?

Email us! We would love to offer you the clarity and confidence you need to make the best next step for you.