A Story Group is a small, facilitated community where participants explore meaningful experiences from their lives, particularly childhood stories that continue to influence how they understand themselves, relate to others, and experience the world.

Inspired by the narrative work of Dr. Dan Allender, this group invites participants to engage their stories with curiosity, compassion, and thoughtful reflection.

Rather than focusing on fixing problems or offering advice, we'll explore the deeper meaning of our experiences and the ways our stories have shaped us.

While Story Groups can be deeply meaningful, they are not psychotherapy or a substitute for mental health treatment.

Therapy involves clinical assessment, individualized treatment goals, and interventions designed to address mental health concerns. Story Groups are educational and experiential, focusing on personal reflection, storytelling, and meaningful engagement in community.

Although Tabitha Westbrook is a licensed trauma therapist, she serves as a Story Group facilitator rather than as participants' individual therapist.

If you're currently experiencing significant emotional distress or actively working through traumatic experiences, individual therapy may be a more appropriate place to begin. Some people find that participating in a Story Group complements their existing therapeutic work.

Yes. Sharing a personal story is an important part of the group experience.

Each participant will be invited to write a childhood story of approximately 600–1,000 words and share it during a designated session. The group will then engage with the story through thoughtful questions, curiosity, and reflection.

You will have guidance in selecting and preparing your story. The goal is not to share the most painful experience of your life, but to choose a meaningful story you're ready to explore.

You always retain agency over the details you choose to disclose. However, participants should be prepared to engage meaningfully in both sharing and responding to others' stories.

You don't need to have experienced significant trauma to benefit from this group.

Our stories are shaped by ordinary moments as well as extraordinary ones. Experiences involving family relationships, belonging, disappointment, joy, expectations, conflict, or feeling misunderstood can carry meaning that continues to influence our lives.

Sometimes the stories we consider insignificant reveal important patterns about how we learned to navigate the world.

That's completely understandable. Sharing personal experiences can feel vulnerable, especially when those stories have rarely been spoken aloud.

The group is intentionally limited to 5–6 participants so there is time for thoughtful engagement and relationship-building.

Tabitha will help establish expectations for respectful listening, confidentiality, and compassionate engagement. You won't be expected to have everything figured out or present your story perfectly.

Nervousness doesn't necessarily mean this group isn't right for you. During the screening conversation, you'll have an opportunity to discuss your concerns and determine whether participating feels appropriate.

This is a faith-informed group that welcomes thoughtful engagement with questions of faith, spirituality, and our experiences of God.

Tabitha approaches story work from a Christian worldview while respecting the diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences participants bring.

You will not be required to profess a particular belief, participate in religious practices, or interpret your experiences through a prescribed theological lens.

We recognize that faith can be a source of comfort and meaning, but that religious experiences can also involve confusion, disappointment, or harm. There is room for those complexities here.

Sessions include guided reflection, group conversation, and engagement with participants' written stories.

As the group progresses, participants will take turns reading their stories aloud and receiving thoughtful engagement from the facilitator and other group members.

Rather than analyzing, correcting, or offering quick solutions, we'll practice listening carefully, asking meaningful questions, and noticing the emotions, relationships, and themes present in each story.

The group will also incorporate educational materials from the Allender Center's Story Work Video Series.

Yes. Participants should plan to spend time outside group sessions reflecting, watching assigned educational materials, and preparing their written childhood story.

You'll write one story of approximately 600–1,000 words to share with the group.

You don't need to be a skilled writer. This isn't a creative writing workshop, and your story won't be evaluated for grammar, style, or literary quality.

What matters is your willingness to approach your experience with honesty and curiosity.

You don't need a complete or detailed childhood memory to participate.

Many people remember only fragments, particular moments, or the emotional atmosphere of their early years. You may remember what happened but have little clarity about how you felt at the time.

Story work isn't about forcing memories or trying to uncover experiences you cannot recall. It's about thoughtfully engaging what you do remember and acknowledging what remains uncertain.

If you're concerned about significant gaps in memory, the screening conversation is a good place to discuss whether this group is an appropriate fit.

Confidentiality is an essential expectation of participation.

Group members will be asked to respect the privacy of others and refrain from sharing identifying information or personal stories outside the group.

However, unlike individual therapy, confidentiality in a group cannot be absolutely guaranteed because other participants are involved.

Before the group begins, participants will review expectations for confidentiality, privacy, and respectful engagement.

Important: Because this group is part of Tabitha's Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level III training, a story engagement session may be recorded and submitted for educational review. Any recording requirements, consent procedures, and privacy considerations will be explained before participation. No participant should be surprised by a recording requirement.

Story work can bring up strong emotions, even when the experience being discussed initially seems ordinary.

Tabitha brings extensive clinical experience in trauma-informed care and will facilitate with attention to emotional safety, personal agency, and the pace of group engagement.

Participants are encouraged to notice their own needs and communicate when they need a moment to pause or regulate.

However, the group is not designed to provide crisis intervention or individualized trauma treatment. If participation reveals a need for additional support, Tabitha may recommend individual therapy or other appropriate resources.

Yes. Many people find that personal story work and individual therapy can complement one another.

If you're currently working with a therapist, you may find it helpful to discuss your interest in the group with them, particularly if you're engaged in intensive trauma processing.

The group is not intended to replace your existing therapeutic relationship.

Because story work involves personal vulnerability and meaningful engagement with others, it's important to ensure that the group is an appropriate fit for each participant.

The screening conversation gives you an opportunity to learn more about the experience, ask questions, and discuss any concerns.

It also allows Tabitha to consider whether the group's structure, expectations, and level of emotional engagement align with your current needs.

The goal isn't to judge your story or determine whether you've experienced enough hardship. It's to help create a thoughtful, supportive group experience for everyone.

Participation is limited to 6 people.

The small group format allows each person to have dedicated time for sharing and engagement while creating opportunities to develop meaningful connections with other participants.

The group begins Monday, February 1, 2027, at 6:00 PM Central Time.

We'll meet online via Zoom for eight consecutive weeks. Each session will last approximately two hours.

Participants should plan to attend from a private, quiet location where they can participate without interruptions or concerns about being overheard.

The investment is $350 per participant for the complete eight-week experience.

This includes all group sessions, facilitated story engagement, and access to the Allender Center's Story Work Video Series during the group.

Yes. Participants are expected to make a commitment to attending all eight sessions.

Because each person's story is engaged within the group, consistent attendance matters. Your presence is meaningful not only when you're sharing your own story, but also when you're listening to and engaging with others.

If you anticipate missing a session, please discuss that during your screening conversation before registering.

This group is being facilitated as part of Tabitha Westbrook's Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level III training through the Allender Center.

The group draws on the Allender Center's narrative story work approach and includes access to its Story Work Video Series.

Tabitha is facilitating this group as part of her training experience. Participation should not be understood as enrollment in an Allender Center training program or as an endorsement or certification of the group by the Allender Center.