Allender Center Story Groups Now Enrolling

by on January 8, 2025

Story Groups with the Allender Center are designed to invite you into deep reflection to grow awareness of how your life experiences impact you in your relationships, your spirituality, and your everyday life. In these interactive groups, you’ll gain insights into how your unique story impacts your current way of understanding and relating to yourself, others, and God.

Our Story Groups are expertly led by Student Facilitators who are undergoing rigorous training in Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level III with the Allender Center. These dedicated facilitators, who have also completed Level I & Level II work under the direct supervision of the Allender Center Training Team. Story Groups are not group therapy; they are intended to be an in-depth complement to your ongoing personal and/or therapeutic work.

Here’s what you’ll experience when you join a Story Group:

  • Seven weekly 2-hour sessions with a small group of no more than 5 people.
  • Guided discussions and reflections to help you delve into your story.
  • Access to an exclusive version of the popular “To Be Told” self-paced online course from the Allender Center. This course offers video lessons that will enrich your learning throughout your 7-week Story Group journey.

Sign up now to join a 2025 Story Group!

Story Groups are filling up fast and begin in late January or early February 2025 — secure your spot now!

Take a moment to scroll through the available groups listed below, and connect directly with the Story Group leader to inquire about joining. But don’t wait — spaces are limited, and some groups are already full.

Questions about this offering? Please email our team at programs@theallendercenter.org.

Story Groups Now Accepting New Participants:

 

Zack Lacy is a licensed therapist in the state of WA who has a private practice in North Seattle. He is passionate about coming alongside those who want to understand their story, deepen awareness of their unique identity in this world and find a more heartfelt participation with life. When he’s not doing this privileged work, he’s usually exploring the coasts and mountains of the PNW and searching for the best alpine lake to cold plunge in.

Group Description: 

My name is Erin McCaskill. I live in New York City with my husband and five kids. I am currently finishing up my training at the Allender Center and completing a Masters in social work. My husband and I have been involved in full-time Ministry for over two decades and have known both deep joy and sorrow in those roles. My passion is to come alongside those who want to experience the redemptive power of sharing their stories and healing the wounded parts of themselves.

Group Description: 

Jen Vrooman

 

Group Description: 

Bornell Nicholson is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Illinois and Washington state, and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and clinical fellow. He earned his PhD in Couple and Family Therapy. He is an assistant professor of the MFT Masters program at Whitworth University. He provides therapy for individuals, couples, and families, and is a trained Prepare/Enrich Facilitator. Bornell is working to become certified in Narrative Focused Trauma Care. His areas of research include fatherhood, couples, and faith integration

Group Description: 

  • This group is currently accepting new participants
  • Group Description: This virtual Story Group is a safe space for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC) community to come together to explore their individual and collective stories of trauma/harm and with solidarity, compassion, curiosity, and awe. 
  • Application: Group intake Form
  • Dates: Tuesdays, February 4th–March 18th, 2025, Times: 5:00-6:45 PM (PDT), Location: Zoom 
  • Contact Info: drnicholson.lmft@gmail.com

Charles Mounday has spent over a decade working in education, coaching, and mentorship, which has instilled in him a deep desire to pursue truth, growth, and goodness. For the last few years, he has been working toward a Narrative Focused Trauma Care Certificate and is now starting a story work group as part of his Capstone Project. His time with the Allender Center has been a wonderful and healing journey and Charles looks forward to helping others discover the importance and the beauty of their own stories.

Group Description: 

  • This group is currently accepting new participants
  • Application: Story Group Application  (email via contact information below)
  • Men’s specific story group
  • This will be an 8 week hybrid story group on Tuesday evenings from 2/4/25-3/25/25 in Upland CA or virtually depending on your need
  • Contact information: cmounday@gmail.com

Meg Folgado: Are you a woman who desires to better understand yourself and discover more fully who you were created to be? In a small online group setting, we will delve into the narratives of our lives, particularly our stories of harm, to begin to explore the profound ways in which our experiences have shaped us, and be invited to understand how these continue to impact our present day. I invite you to join us in this good work towards healing and hope in our stories.

Group Description: 

  • This group is currently accepting new participants
  • Wednesdays (Feb 5 – March 12), 6:15-8:00 PM; *Meeting online weekly (7 sessions)
  • Additional Group Information: here
  • Application Form: here
  • Contact information: You can contact me with any questions at megfolgadocounseling@gmail.com, or through my website.

Sabrina Norris is a psychotherapist in Seattle, Washington. She received her Masters in Counseling Psychology from the Seattle School with a concentration in Trauma and Abuse, learning in conjunction with the Allender Center and completing NFTC I and II. Sabrina works primarily with adults who are pursuing care in their stories of trauma, as well as the symptoms and “residue” that may follow. She enjoys engaging clients with energy and intentionality as they enter into the difficult parts of their stories. Her passion is to walk alongside people in their courageous pursuit of redemption in sharing their deepest heartaches.

Group Description: 

  • This group is currently accepting new participants
  • Application form here
  • This group will be for women in the state of Washington who are desiring to be known and to know within the context of their story. 
  • Starting in February, we will be working together for 7-weeks, meeting on a weekly basis. Detail on time and schedule will be determined based on answers to the google form / group availability. We will meet virtually. 
  • Contact Information: If you have any questions, you can put them into the question section of the intake form, or email me directly at sabrinanorristherapy@gmail.com

Hannah May: For over 20 years, I’ve shared space with people who wish to transform their lives. As a business owner coupled with working in recovery and lay ministries, I have watched God heal lives, restoring people to their Imago Dei. Through the NFTC program, I have experienced deep healing and have witnessed that on behalf of others. As a complex trauma survivor, I have experienced many healing modalities. Story work is one of the most effective and transformational. I look forward to creating sacred space for group Storywork here in Dallas.

Group Description: 

  • This group is currently accepting new participants
  • Application form here 
  • Our story group will meet in-person.
  • We will meet from February 4th – March 25th from 7:00-9:00 in the evening, at my home in Dallas, Texas.
  • Contact: sacredstoryspace@gmail.com

Katrina Cowen is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Lexington, KY. She is passionate about assisting clients in exploring their stories, naming what is true and creating space for healing and growth, especially in the aftermath of trauma. Katrina is currently completing the Level III Narrative Focused Trauma Care program with the Allender Center and deeply appreciates the integration of story work in her own personal journey as well as her clinical practice. Katrina is a wife of 36 years, a mother of five and Nana to two beautiful and brilliant grandchildren (so far).

Group Description: 

  • This group is currently accepting new participants
  • My group will meet in person at the offices of Compass Christian Counseling in Lexington, KY, beginning in early February for seven weeks. We’ll meet on a weekday evening, TBD. I’ll be hosting an informational Zoom call in mid-January for interested parties to gather more information. 
  • Contact Information: katrina@compasslex.com

Connie Angel Sanders is a trauma-informed story work and life coach and the co-founder of The Way Home, a non-profit helping others recover a life of thriving faith in the aftermath of spiritual abuse. Connie blends her love of story and passion for healing with genuine, compassionate care. Completing her training in Narrative-Focused Trauma Care this year, she excels at shepherding, fostering meaningful connections, and seeking out the heart of God in painful places. She believes deeply in the impact of bearing witness with one another. With strong roots in Kentucky, she currently resides in Alabama with her family and one perfect Sheltie.

Group Description: 

  • This group is currently accepting new participants
  • Application form:  https://forms.gle/6amRfzsJWHcDGKYDA
  • Bearing Witness Story Group: When we bear witness alongside each other to the stories of our lives, something powerful happens, and we are no longer alone. You’re invited to join us in this upcoming season as we explore the ways our childhood stories are showing up in our adult lives. This group, which will meet virtually on Monday or Thursday evenings is open to all, especially individuals who have experienced spiritual abuse or other relational disruptions. During our time together, you will gain insight into your own story and begin to understand the themes of your life. And—as a part of our group, you will have access to the Allender Center’s To Be Told curriculum, an incredible value. I hope you will join us.
  • Contact Info: connie@theway-home.org

Amy Freund has a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from The University of Texas where she developed a passion for embracing diversity and cultures outside of her own. In addition to becoming a Christian during her college years she also discovered the powerful healing that can come from seeing a therapist and sharing her story with others. Nearly 30 years later, Amy pursued a desire to become a professional counselor and completed a M. A. in Clinical Mental Health from Colorado Christian University.  Amy is married with four adult children and four grandchildren.

  • This group is currently accepting new participants
  • Group description: Group will meet Thursdays from 12-2pm (CST) through Zoom
  • Application form is linked here
  • Contact information: amy@freundcounseling.com 

Story Groups Currently Full / Applications Closed:

 

Lisa Call is a trauma-informed story coach and facilitator.  She has completed Level 1 and Level 2 of the Narrative Focused Trauma Care training offered by The Allender Center under The Seattle School of Psychology and Theology. Lisa feels honored to work with individuals, couples, and groups, tending to their stories as a kind witness, hoping to heal and restore who they are uniquely created to be.

Group Description: 

Derek Sakowski is a Catholic priest of the Diocese of La Crosse, WI. During 22 years of ministry, he taught high school for five years, obtained a doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, and served 11 years as a pastor. He’s been on a healing path since 2017, and is currently leading a renewal effort inviting priests and other leaders to become more integrated so that they can accompany others well. He is especially passionate about introducing story work into Catholic settings and exploring its connections with the theological anthropology of Thomas Aquinas and John Paul II.

Group Description: 

  • Group is currently full / Applications Closed
  • This will be a closed group of participants who are living in community and considering entering the seminary. 
  • In-person; Monday mornings, 9am to Noon from Feb 3 to March 24.
  • Email: dsakowski@diolclergy.org

Vicki Diemert is the Counseling Director at Ironwood church in Mesa AZ. She has her MABC from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as completed all Christian Counseling Education Foundation certificate levels. She loves walking people through the ways our family of origin has impacted and shaped us. Her focus has been on abuse, betrayal, and trauma. She is an advocate for equipping the church to better love and support those who are suffering and have experienced harm.

Group Description: 

Mary Caskey: Mother, artist, traveler. I am located in Iowa and have experience working in ministry cross-culturally in Europe.

Group Description: 

  • Group is currently full / Applications Closed
  • Group Description: Online group for women who serve in missions in Europe.
  • Contact Information: mary@createdgoodstorywork.com

Matt Mormance

  • Group is currently full / Applications Closed
  • Group Description: Invitation to Be Seen. If you are like me, you have some of those old memories in your head that linger and you just can’t shake. Old stories that have hurt or harm in them. Maybe it was just something that felt off or memories that hold deep pain, that feel unresolved. All of us carry these stories in our bodies and they still impact us in different ways. And though these stories make us who we are, there are ways to release the power these stories hold over us. The goal of this group is to create a safe space where we all can share a story of harm and learn to let people be with us in that place. Not only will we receive care, we will also grow in compassion for ourselves and others stories as well. Consider this as an invitation to be seen.
  • This is a hybrid story work group that will meet weekly in Slovenia early February – March for 8 weeks. We will meet in person for the first and last meetings. It will be an international mixed group.
  • Contact Information: mmormance@gmail.com

Dean Short: Hi! My name is Dean. For the past 11 years, I’ve lived cross-culturally in full-time ministry working with individuals, teams and churches in the areas of discipleship, spiritual formation and counseling. I love working with individuals and groups at the intersection of the gospel narrative, stories of heartache, trauma and abuse and spiritual formation. As I’ve become more aware of my own story and unhealed places of my heart that kept me living in self-protection, fear, numbness and disconnection, I also have a deep desire to come alongside other ministry leaders and professionals in their own self – discovery and healing.

Group Description: 

  • Group is currently full / Applications Closed
  • Group Description: This group is designed and open to ministry leaders both men and women.  The group will meet every Tuesday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST for 7-weeks February 11 – March 25, 2025.  The group will be hosted virtually on Zoom.
  • Contact Info: deanedwardshort@gmail.com

Stephanie Isbell: I am a licensed clinical professional counselor, working with children and adults who have experienced childhood adversities. My interests have expanded from sensorimotor-intensive play therapy to family systems and internal family systems, but all those have been swept up in the power, intrigue and humanity of narrative-focused group process and story engagement. Facilitating these groups is my capstone project for Narrative Focused Trauma Care training I have completed at The Allender Center.

Group Description: 

  • Groups are currently full / Applications Closed
  • Group 1: Story Group for Women (full/closed for registration) This group will use the Allender Center’s To Be Told video series to provide a frame for the work we will do. Participants will watch the videos between sessions. We will meet for 8 weeks for two hours in the evening on Zoom
  • Group 2: Narrative-focused process group for graduate students (full/closed for registration): Meeting for 8 weeks for two hours on Zoom
  • Contact Information: http://www.bigskyfamilytherapy.com

 

 

 

Questions about this Story Group offering? Please email our team at programs@theallendercenter.org.

Learn more about Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level III here.