Abstract

While graduate students’ struggles with isolation, self-doubt, low self-esteem, imposter syndrome, anxiety, depression, and burnout are well-documented (Morrison-Saunders et al.; Stachl and Barranger), few writing programs directly address their emotional wellbeing (Russell-Pinson and Harris). Drawing on our backgrounds as a therapist and a writing and yoga instructor, we adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), contemplative practice, and embodied pedagogies to develop WriteFest, an intervention program that supports graduate students’ wellbeing while writing. In WriteFest, we developed a supportive community and deepened students’ mindful awareness of the physical and mental experience of writing. Through CBT, we built on this foundation of awareness to help students identify and reframe unhelpful belief systems, recognize strengths, and develop self-efficacy (Beck). Our theoretical frame and curriculum are valuable for readers in multiple contexts, as our materials could become a unit within a course or a workshop series offered by a graduate school, student counseling center, or academic support unit.

Journal
Composition Forum
Published
2024
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