Facilitating With Us

Thank you for your interest in partnering with the Allender Center as a facilitator!

Through our Narrative Focused Trauma Care (NFTC) 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.

Facilitators play a vital role in leading Story Groups throughout our programs. Using the NFTC methodology, they guide participants with thoughtful, informed care — offering meaningful feedback and support along the way. Facilitators commit to their own ongoing development by regularly meeting with their advisor and actively participating in Facilitation Development opportunities throughout the year.

To ensure our facilitation teams reflect the diversity of our participant cohorts, we seek to build teams that represent a wide spectrum of diversity with regard to age, gender, race/ethnicity, ability, sexual identity, vocational background, and experience.

If you have facilitated with us in the past, please reach out directly to Petra Malekzadeh, Facilitation Development Manager to express your interest to return and discuss current opportunities.

If you would like to join us as a new facilitator, please review the information below.

Become a Facilitator in Training

If you have completed Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level III in 2022 or later, you are eligible to apply to our Facilitator in Training track.

This opportunity is designed for NFTC III alumni who are passionate about group work and want to deepen their skills by gaining practical experience as a story group facilitator in our Level I program. If selected, you will be brought on as a Facilitator in Training for an initial one-year contract. Our intention and commitment is to offer a second year, provided the first year reflects a mutual sense of fit.

As with all Allender Center facilitators and advisors, engagement is structured as an independent contractor relationship and contracted annually. The Facilitator in Training track has a two-year arc by design after which facilitators will transition off the team. This is in no way a reflection of the value they bring — it is simply how the track is designed. That said, alumni of the Facilitator in Training program may be invited to re-join the facilitation team at a future date if staffing needs and fit align — no reapplication will be required.

If you are interested in applying for a Facilitator in Training position for the 2026/2027 program year, we invite you to submit a video application. Applications will be open from April 13, 2026, to May 15, 2026. Notification of acceptance will be sent by June 15, 2026.

Certification Requirement

Please note that all applicants must hold a Certification in Narrative Focused Trauma Care. Level III graduates who completed their Capstone project and all who have facilitated with the Allender Center in the past are eligible to apply for Certification. For more information, please reach out to certification@theallendercenter.org.

Availability During Program Events

Before applying, please review the 2026/2027 NFTC I program dates and ensure your availability to attend all program events, including the orientation.

Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level I 2026-2027
Thursday – Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (PT)
Orientation: Sept 3 (4:00-5:30 PM PT)
Weekend 1: Sept 17-19, 2026
Weekend 2: Nov 12-14, 2026
Weekend 3: Jan 21-23, 2027
Weekend 4: Mar 11-13, 2027