Work with Us
Thank you for your interest in working at the Allender Center, a subsidiary of The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology and a nonprofit 501(c)(3).
Through our Narrative Focused Trauma Care (NFTC) training programs, we train pastors, therapists, group leaders, lay counselors, and community leaders to understand their own stories in order to more deeply enter the lives of those they are called to love and serve.
We also offer workshops (such as Story Workshop and Recovery Weeks) to create transformative healing experiences for anyone seeking insight into how harm has impacted their lives, marriages, families, faith, and communities.
If you would like to join us in our mission to foster redemption and healing in individuals, couples, and communities as a facilitator, advisor or subject matter expert, please review the role descriptions and hiring information below.
If you have facilitated with us before, you are welcome to reach out directly to Petra Malekzadeh, Facilitation Development Manager (pmalekzadeh@theseattleschool.edu) to express your interest.
If you are a graduate of our Level III program interested in applying, we invite you to submit a video application. Applications for the 2025-2026 program year will be open from April 1, 2025 to May 9, 2025.
2025-2026 Program Year Offerings
Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level I
September 18-21, 2025
November 13-16, 2025
January 22-25, 2026
March 19-22, 2026
Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level II
October 9-12, 2025
December 4-7, 2025
February 5-8, 2026
April 16-19, 2026
Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level III
September 5-6, 2025
October 3, 2025
November 7, 2025
December 12, 2025
January 9, 2026
February 13, 2026
March 13, 2026
April 10-11, 2026
Story Workshop
August 21-24, 2025
Women’s Recovery Week
Spring 2026
Man’s Recovery Week
Spring 2026
Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing
Spring 2026
Story Workshop for Racial Trauma & Healing
Spring 2026
Story Workshop for Spiritual Abuse & Healing
Spring 2026
Role Descriptions
Please note that individuals may have multiple roles among those listed below (e.g., both an Advisor and a Guest Speaker, both a Facilitator and Grounding Exercise Leader).
Facilitator
Facilitators play a vital role in leading small group sessions throughout a program event. Using the NFTC methodology, they guide participants with thoughtful and informed leadership, providing meaningful feedback and support. Facilitatorscommit to their own ongoing development by regularly meeting with their advisor and actively participating in Facilitation Development opportunities throughout the year.
Advisor
An Advisor brings expertise in NFTC methodology and its application in group settings, providing supervision and guidance to facilitators throughout program weekends. They collaborate closely with the Facilitation Development Manager to assess training, mentorship, and development needs for facilitators and play an active role in designing and delivering facilitator training events.
Subject Matter Expert
A Subject Matter Expert contributes to the development and delivery of teaching content for program events, including NFTC Levels I, II, or III, as well as workshops. Guest speakers are invited to present on specific topics, or facilitate interactive exercises aligned with their training, expertise, and interests. Teaching sessions typically range from 15 to 90 minutes and may be co-presented with another qualified speaker.
Qualifications & Experience:
Beginning with the 2025-2026 program year, all Facilitators and Advisors must hold a Certification in Narrative Focused Trauma Care. All Level III graduates who have completed their Capstone project and anyone who has facilitated with the Allender Center in the past will be eligible to apply for Certification. Applications for the Certification will open early April, 2025.
Additionally, please note that we are only able to accept applications from individuals who meet the following qualifications, level of training and experience:
Facilitators and Subject Matter Experts
- Must have completed the following training:
- Cohorts from 2022 or later: Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level III
- Cohorts from 2020 – 2022: Apprenticeship
Advisors
- Must have a minimum of 2 year of experience facilitating with the Allender Center in addition to the requirements listed above
Hiring:
We seek to build a facilitation, advisory, and teaching team that reflects a spectrum of diversity with regard to age, gender, race/ethnicity, ability, sexual identity, vocational background and experience.
If you are selected to facilitate, advise, serve as a guest speaker or lead grounding exercises for an Allender Center training or workshop, please be aware that you will be employed as an independent contractor.