This is more than a training – it’s a journey of the heart.
Grounded in psychology and theology, Narrative Focused Trauma Care® (NFTC) Level I guides you deeper than you thought possible. Engage your story, reclaim who God created you to be, and grow in curiosity, kindness, and courage—for yourself and the world around you.
Request More Info RSVP for a Coffee HourAll of us have experienced harm, big and small. The impact of trauma often lingers in ways we can’t simply think or pray away. We feel it in the places where we’re stuck, exhausted, or repeating patterns we can’t seem to break.
True healing comes when we bring our whole selves—heart, mind, and body—into the story of our lives, with people who will truly listen and walk with us. NFTC Level I is designed to start with you, because we cannot guide others beyond where we’ve gone ourselves. As you engage your story, you’ll gain psychological and theological frameworks that transform your life and equip you to extend that healing into your relationships, work, and community.
Through four intensive weekend training sessions, you will gain:
Each weekend offers an immersive experience that fosters personal transformation, deepens knowledge, and builds skills—all within a carefully structured schedule that incorporates invitations to rest and self-care.
Discover how trauma impacts your body, brain, and soul with this foundational teaching from Dr. Dan Allender. You’ll learn why it’s essential to be equipped to engage with the trauma in your own story—and in the stories of those you care about.
NFTC Level I is available as both an In-Person Cohort or a Virtual Cohort, offering flexibility to engage in the way that best suits you. As a trainee, you’ll participate in four, 3-day intensive training weekends (Thursday–Saturday) featuring live teaching and interactive small group work, as well as one orientation session prior to the first weekend.
Each three-day session runs 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PT (Thursday-Saturday). A detailed, daily schedule for the 2026-2027 cohort will be provided.
You can choose to join NFTC Level I through either our In-Person Cohort hosted in Seattle, WA, or our Virtual Cohort hosted entirely online, providing flexibility to engage in the learning experience in the way that best suits your needs. Whichever format you choose, you’ll receive the same exceptional teaching and content and enjoy camaraderie with fellow participants.
To help your Story Groups stay cohesive and connected for all involved, you must commit to a single format (Virtual or In-Person) for all training weekends.
Read the FAQs below for more details, or contact us at programs@theallendercenter.org if you’d like help deciding which format is right for you.
Upon receiving your notification of acceptance to NFTC Level I, you will be invited to complete your enrollment through our course portal. This step confirms your place in the program and includes selecting the payment option that best supports you.
During enrollment, you may choose to:
Your spot is secured when you select your payment option and submit your first payment. A $500 portion of the total program cost is designated as a non-refundable Deposit.
Limited partial scholarships are also available; see below.
Both cohorts include 85 seat hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*The In-Person Cohort cost reflects the additional expenses involved in hosting and staffing an onsite experience. Attendance also includes daily access to light breakfast items, snacks, refreshments, and lunches.
We believe in the importance of this work and do our best to make this offering accessible. If the cost of the program is a barrier, we encourage you to invite your community to consider sponsoring you. We are also grateful to be able to offer a limited number of partial scholarships thanks to the generosity of our donor community.
While scholarship amounts are still being finalized for the 2026 program year, awards have typically ranged from $1,000–$1,500 off the total program cost. Final details will be available before applications open.
Scholarships are typically awarded on a first-come, first-served basis at the time of application. Instructions to apply for a scholarship using a self-reflection and self-assessment tool are provided when you submit your application. We prioritize support for applicants facing current financial constraints and/or systemic barriers that limit access to wealth and opportunities. If approved, you will be notified of your award amount along with your acceptance to the program.
If you are not initially awarded a scholarship but still choose to enroll at the standard fee, we trust this indicates you have found a way to cover the cost without scholarship assistance. We do not retroactively apply scholarships to those who have already enrolled.
Participants in Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level I receive a certificate of completion verifying 85 seat hours (43 hours of teaching, 42 hours of group work). Participants may apply for recognition of these hours for CEU credit with their respective licensing bodies. The Allender Center is an organization housed within The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. The Seattle School is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council, and meets the requirements and minimum education standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institution Act.
The Allender Center at The Seattle School will not be held responsible for professional licensing boards or states that do not recognize the requested CEUs.
To apply, create an account in our online portal and select your cohort (In-Person or Virtual). A non-refundable $50 application fee is required (waived when you apply by March 2, 2026).
Admission is not competitive—we accept a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, and professional experience in a helping profession is not required. Applications are carefully reviewed to ensure readiness for the depth and relational nature of this work.
The earlier you apply, the more access you’ll have to limited in-person cohort seats and available scholarships.
Priority Applications will open on Monday, February 2, 2026.
Request More InfoApplications received by March 2 will have:
Applications received by April 30 will have:
Applications received by May 31 will have:
Still have questions? Please reach out to our Admissions Team at programs@theallendercenter.org with any other questions you may have as you discern if you’d like to participate in the Virtual Cohort or In-Person Cohort.
"My experience of going through the NFTC training went well beyond what I dreamed possible. I wanted to explore more of my story – what I came away with was my life."
– Laura Westbrook, Counselor (LPC)
"Some of the most challenging and infinitely rewarding work you can do for yourself and for others."
– Vanessa Sadler, Spiritual Director, Enneagram Practitioner
“This is one of the most important aspects to my own personal healing journey I have ever taken. Such an amazing process and therapeutic approach. This has been truly life changing for me.”
– Daniel Schultz, Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Graduate Student at The Seattle School
"This training changed me. As a Soul Care Coach, I’ve been through a lot of trainings—but the Allender Center’s NFTC was different. It didn’t just sharpen my skills. It softened my heart, deepened my discernment, and helped me sit with others in their stories with more compassion and care than I knew I had."
– Kinsey Oglesby, Story Coach, Writer, and SpeakerIf you’re interested in learning more about this training but are not ready to join us this year, we invite you to stay connected. Add your name to our interest list here, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated about the 2026–2027 training cohort and future opportunities.
Questions about this training? We’d love to talk with you. Please reach out to programs@theallendercenter.org.
The Narrative Focused Trauma Care® (NFTC) Model is an innovative methodology that integrates psychology and theology to holistically engage the heartbreaking impact of trauma and abuse with compassion and care. This model builds on the foundational, lifelong work of Dr. Dan Allender in the realm of trauma and abuse recovery and his deep conviction that healing is not only possible, but is core to the gospel story unfolding within and around us.
