Storytelling through music: an approach to improve well-being among social workers employed in homeless services

Homelessness is a complex social issue that requires a dedicated workforce of helping professionals. Secondary traumatic stress is common among this workforce and contributes to poor professional quality of life, burnout, and job turnover. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Storytelling Through Music (STM), a six-week, multidimensional intervention designed to improve the well-being of social workers employed in homeless services. A mixed-methods design was utilized. Focus group interviews explored contextual factors impacting participants’ well-being and guided intervention writing prompts. A pre–post study evaluated intervention feasibility and preliminary impact. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Outcome data were collected at three time points, and paired t-tests examined changes over time. Fourteen social workers were enrolled (mean age = 37.4 years). STM delivery was feasible and acceptable to participants. Post-intervention, participants had significant improvements in depression, sleep, and emotionality. One month post-intervention, participants had significant improvements in anxiety, sleep, emotionality, self-compassion, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction. This study provides early evidence that STM is feasible, well-received, and beneficial for social workers in homeless services. Findings support creative, peer-based strategies as practical tools for combating burnout and fostering resilience in emotionally demanding work environments.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06536387.