Is Story Work evidence-based?
the Neuroscience of story work
DGS Story Work touches the nervous system, memory, emotional safety,
self-concept, and more.
This growing collection of literature explores how.
Each piece of research listed here has been reviewed through the lens of the DGS Story Work Framework, making it easy to see where science and being in relationship with your stories intersect.
Common sense disclaimer: This is not medical advice. I am not a licensed mental health practitioner and do not offer treatment, diagnosis, or medical care. This work is not a substitute for therapy, trauma treatment, or psychiatric support.
Long-term research shows that putting emotional experience into language — through writing or speaking — can improve health, immune function, and emotional clarity.
DGS Story Work builds on this with a five-part practice: not just expression, but also intentional noticing, documenting, connecting, and integrating.
Pennebaker, J. W., & Smyth, J. M. (2004). Expressive writing, emotional upheavals, and health. In N. Anderson, R. Baum, & L. T. Hobfoll (Eds.), Foundations of health psychology (pp. 263–284). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Study Type: Literature Review
Evidence Strength: Medium — Synthesizes findings across dozens of peer-reviewed experimental studies, but is itself a narrative review, not new empirical research.