STORYWORK COLLECTIVE

The Vision

Inspired by the work of Curt Thompson’s Confessional Communities, Theological Horizons brings group storywork to UVA students. We offer a space on Grounds where students can lay down what they carry and experience the freedom of being deeply seen, heard, and welcomed through the sharing and receiving of personal stories. 

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Fall 2026 cohorts
 

What last year’s cohort says:

  • We get together to share personal stories — absolutely anything that's on our hearts — one at a time and then share our reactions to it without judgment or giving advice. It's a space to be honest, open, and authentic. Everyone has bought in just as much as you — I felt so safe and supported in sharing very personal experiences with people I had met only a few weeks before.

    —Anonymous Participant 2026

  • I really did feel seen and loved and learned more about myself! Then, getting to listen to everyone else's stories was so meaningful! I feel StoryWork helped me grow in listening, relating, and empathizing.

    —Anonymous Participant 2026

  • This was perfect. I would say the most helpful thing was the responding with the emotions/sensations charts. They really helped me articulate how I was feeling & to remove my tendency to give advice right away.

    —Anonymous Participant 2026

  • It was really helpful to have some framing at the start of each week - thinking through the neuroscience behind sharing stories and interpersonal connections to a broader worldview. I loved having the handouts and got excited to read over them.

    —Anonymous Participant 2026

  • It is a little different and hard to describe! It's a group centered on collective, empathetic storytelling and listening where each person gets one week to share a ~20 min story and receive responses and reflections from the rest of the group. The goal isn't fixing and correcting — just simple, caring, empathetic listening. It's so sweet, healing, and stretching, especially in a time where deep, genuine relationships can be hard to attain. I highly recommend!!

    —Anonymous Participant 2026

  • Learning how to step back and just listen, understand, and see peoples stories even within myself, I'm learning how I react and empathize.

    —Anonymous Participant 2026

  • Almost like group therapy - but more learning together to develop the important skills of life like listening + thoughtful presence. Didn't know I needed to learn how to do them!

    —Anonymous Participant 2026

  • A surprisingly healing & wholesome space to explore & developed the intimate stories of your life. My heart soared in this experience.

    —Anonymous Participant 2026

  • A short-term community with 6–8 other students.

    • Groups meet once a week for 8 weeks in a private space.

    • Groups are intentionally small so that trust and presence can grow.

    • Time to tell your story.

    • A simple storytelling format, where each person gets space to share their experiences and reflect in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.

    Growth

    • Each week will begin with a very short teaching around an element of Interpersonal Neurobiology as we seek to understand how our minds and bodies hold our own and others’ stories.

    • As we move from “talking about things” to “being with one another,” we learn how to offer attuned, embodied responses. We use grounding practices, silence, reflection, and prayer in ways that welcome students of all beliefs and backgrounds.

    Being Known

    • Through guided reflections and resources, we learn to tell our stories more truthfully and receive others’ stories with respect and gentle curiosity.

    A Welcoming Space

    • You’re welcome here whether you are a Christian, an atheist, spiritually curious, questioning, or exploring practices from other traditions.

    • StoryWork Collective is meant to be a space where people finally feel seen, soothed, safe, and secure as they engage in the work of personal storytelling.

  • Confidentiality

    • Everything shared in the group stays in the group. This protects trust and honors each person’s story.

    Conduct

    • We keep the focus upon one another by silencing our phones and devices, putting them away for the 75 minute gatherings. 

    • We respect other’s opinions and thoughts even if they differ from our our own.

    • We come with an open mind. We don’t avoid tension or conflict but seek to move toward it with honesty and grace. Learning how to repair well becomes one of the most transformative parts of the journey.

    Commitment

    • Groups meet weekly for 75 minutes, beginning and ending on time.

    • Students commit to the group for 8 weeks, knowing that their presence is integral to their group’s composition and their absence alters the group structure.

    • More than one absence may require conversation to maintain group continuity.

    Construction

    • This is a pilot project of Theological Horizons so some things will be imperfect; that’s why we value your input as we learn, adapt and grow.

    Cost

    • This program is free to students thanks to the generous support of donors.

  • Members are expected to bring:

    • A willingness to sit with hard emotions and stay present

    • A posture of curiosity instead of criticism

    • A commitment to personal and communal flourishing

    • An absence of active self-harm intent or disintegrating addictions

    • A desire to participate fully in the StoryWork Collective process

  • StoryWork operates under the tenants of Interpersonal Neurobiology and a Christian Anthropology. Each week the leader will guide the group through a brief discussion of an element of IPNB that informs the work. Some examples include

    • Attunement

    • Implicit memory and integration

    • Bottom-up processing & SIFT-B

    • The power of rupture and repair

    • Embodiment and grounding

    • Neuroplasticity

      *We do not claim to be experts. We are continually learning and adapting as we consult with coaches at New Story Behavioral Health in Falls Church, VA.

    • Create an environment where students feel seen, safe, and secure as they practice personal storytelling

    • Listen deeply and respond with presence and compassion

    • Practice honest vulnerability over time

    • Grow in our capacity to sit with and manage emotions

    • Navigate rupture and practice repair with courage and grace

    • Honor the presence of God while welcoming all thought practices and beliefs

What’s Next?

When do the meetings take place?

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 FALL SEMESTER.

There will be 2 cohorts in Fall 2026 beginning the week of September 7th. Each will meet weekly, with the exception of holidays, for a total of 8 meetings.

Cohort A meets on Tuesdays 3:30-4:45 beginning September 8, 2026 and ending November 10, 2026.

Cohort B meets on Wednesdays at 2:15-3:30 beginning September 9, 2026 and ending November 4, 2026.

Where do the meetings take place?

Cohorts will meet in-person in Theological Horizon’s private space near the Kindness Cafe on Rugby Road.

Participants are expected to attend each meeting in-person, with allowances for one to two virtual attendances if unavoidable (to count towards your “attended sessions”).

How do I apply?

apply now