Recovery Week Details & Application Process
We are moved by the courage it requires to step into this sacred work. Our Recovery Week workshops are intentionally designed to provide a safe, intimate space for restoration. Thus, space is extremely limited. Our admissions process seeks to honor the vulnerability of such an application and to create a kind space for discerning if the nature and timing of this experience aligns with your needs. The application requires a short application form, an interview with an Allender Center facilitator, and a recommendation.
2025 Recovery Week Offerings:
- Women’s Recovery Week | June 3-8, 2025, in Federal Way, Washington
- Men’s Recovery Week | June 17-22, 2025, in Federal Way, Washington
- Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing – For and led by Women of Color | June 26-29, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio
How to apply for a Recovery Week:
Due to high demand and limited spots in our 2025 Recovery Weeks, we’re opening a waitlist for applications. If you’d like to apply to participate in this year’s Recovery Week, click below to add your name to the waitlist.
- Applicants will be invited to apply on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Invitations will be sent via email, so be sure to check your inbox!
- Once invited, you’ll have 10 days to complete your application before we move to the next group.
The application, costs, and scholarship process are outlined below. If you have questions or would like more information, please reach out to our Programs Team at programs@theallendercenter.org.
Note: The application, cost, and schedule details outlined below pertain to the 6-day Men’s and Women’s Recovery Weeks. For details about our upcoming 3 1/2-day Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing, please click here.
Application Process
First, please join the waitlist above to receive an invitation to apply. Then, on a first-come, first-served basis, we will send you a link to apply. This application form is available online and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. You can work on the application at your own pace and may return to your application at any time to complete it.
Here’s what you’ll need for your application:
- $50 application fee. The $50 application fee helps us provide a seamless and intentional application process. If this fee is a financial barrier for you, you can contact us at programs@theallendercenter.org to request a waiver code.
- Provide a reference: Ideally a mentor, pastor, small group leader, or counselor who knows your story and has journeyed with you. We will reach out to them directly with a recommendation form requesting their perspective on your application.
- Request a scholarship: You will have the opportunity to request one of our need-based scholarships within your application. See below for more details.
After you submit your application: Our Programs Team will reach out to you to schedule an interview. Our interviews are conducted online via Google Meet by one of our facilitators or trained staff members. This is a space to get to know you and your story and discern timing and readiness for this workshop.
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration
After your application and interview are complete, you will receive a link to pay your deposit. Once this is paid, you will receive a link to our course platform Thinkific to set up your payment plan and register.
Costs & Payment Policy
The total cost of this workshop is $5,695. The fee completely covers the costs of the six-day intensive workshop, including lodging and meals.
At time of application a $50 application fee is due. The $50 application fee helps us provide a seamless and intentional application process.
A nonrefundable deposit of $500 is due to secure your spot, followed by 3 monthly payments of $1,731.67 each.
Your payment plan must be established with the first payment already paid to participate in the workshop. Participation in the workshop will not be permitted if this payment plan is not established and first payment made by May 9th, 2025.
Sliding Scale Scholarships Are Available:
We believe in the importance of this work and do our best to make this offering accessible. If the cost of the workshop 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.
We offer two scholarship tiers: 15% off and 30% off. Instructions to apply for a scholarship are explained in detail within your application portal. Determine your amount using the Green Bottle Sliding Scale graphic designed by Alexis J. Cunningfolk.
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- “Half Bottle” may request 15% off
- “Quarter Bottle” may request 30% off
Your scholarship request will be carefully reviewed. If approved, you’ll receive a promo code to apply to your payment plan.
Step 1: Pay the $500 nonrefundable deposit to secure your spot.
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15% Scholarship
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Discount: $779.25
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Remaining Balance: $4,415.75
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Payment Plan: Pay the remaining balance in 3 monthly installments of $1,471.92 each.
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Total Cost: $500 deposit + $4,415.75 balance = $4,915.75
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30% Scholarship
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Discount: $1,558.50
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Remaining Balance: $3,636.50
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Payment Plan: Pay the remaining balance in 3 monthly installments of $1,212.17 each.
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Total Cost: $500 deposit + $3,636.50 balance = $4,136.50
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If you have been impacted by the work of the Allender Center and want to invest in healing spaces for those who have experienced sexual abuse, we would be honored to receive your gift. Visit our Giving page.
Prerequisite Learning Requirement
Individuals who are accepted into a Recovery Week will receive a discount code for the Healing the Wounded Heart online course. It is important to begin the online course before beginning your Recovery Week. Our hope is that this course will foster categories and a shared language that will deepen your experience.
Schedule
Recovery Week is a six day workshop with check in beginning at 4pm on Day 1 and concluding at 10:30am on Day 6. The schedule allows for periods of rest and reflection for each participant as well as time with others. Each day includes 3 meals together with others at the retreat as well as teaching time with Dr. Dan Allender, a 2-hour facilitated small group and an individual session. Each participant’s schedule is dependent on the timing of their particular group and individual session. Your schedule may look like: .
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:00-10:00 AM: Teaching with Dr. Allender or an Allender Center Lead Instructor
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Small group time
12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch
Afternoon: Free time for resting, journaling, walks, etc.
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM: Individual session
6:00 – 7:00 PM: Dinner
Evening activities vary from day to day
Lodging & Meals
Men’s and Women’s Recovery Weeks include lodging for five nights and six days at the beautiful Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center in Federal Way, Washington.
The Archbishop is located in a peaceful, natural setting of 39 secluded acres of woods, on a beachfront bluff overlooking Puget Sound. The retreat center offers plenty of spaces to walk or run, path through the woods and access to the beach provide beautiful, natural settings for reflection and exercise! Each of the rooms are single occupancy and come fully furnished with your own private bathroom (The Archbishop also has ADA accessible rooms available).
Amenities include: individual heating control, soft pillows, blankets, toiletry, and WiFi. Recovery Week participants must stay at the lodging provided by The Allender Center. All meals are included and accommodations will be made for dietary restrictions.
Travel
Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Recovery Week. We advise you to wait to make flight arrangements until you have received notification of your acceptance into the workshop. The Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center is located 20 minutes away from the Sea-Tac International Airport. Participants are encouraged to consider rideshare options (e.g., Uber, Lyft, or Taxi) or driving a personal vehicle if preferred (there is ample parking at the facility).
Disclaimer
Recovery Week is a unique psycho-educational experience that involves intensive exploration of your own story and the stories of others as it relates to narratives of heartache and trauma. The sessions are designed to encourage participants to engage their story in a holistic way by exploring psychological, spiritual, biological, and social aspects of the experience of various forms of trauma. Please note: this program is not therapy and does not act as a substitute for therapeutic engagement. Due to the intensity of the week, it is highly recommended that applicants are either in personal counseling or part of an abuse recovery group.
Dual Relationships
Before starting the program, you will be asked if you have any dual relationships with members of our facilitator team and/or fellow participants. This information assists us with group placement.
Our 2025 facilitator team for Women’s Recovery Week may include: Sue Cunningham, Rebekah Vickery, Vanessa Sadler, Sarah Brown, and/or Mary Ellen Owen
Our 2025 facilitator team for Men’s Recovery Week may include: Jay Stringer, Adam Young, Scott Gibson, Reid Zeller, and/or Mike Boland
Covenant & Release of Claims
Your participation in the program is conditioned on your agreeing to the terms of the Covenant & Release of Claims. Recovery Week involves intensive exploration of your own story and the stories of others, but it is not group therapy. Recovery Week provides an opportunity to engage in restorative work within your story, but does not act as a substitute for consistent therapeutic engagement and support.
View the Covenant & Release of Claims
Cancellation Policy
Due to the intimate nature of this workshop, it is important to thoughtfully consider the time, financial, and emotional costs of participating prior to enrolling. With very limited seats available we take seriously our responsibility to honor the integrity of this workshop and the brave individuals who participate.
The Allender Center understands that unforeseen circumstances may arise and wants to be as clear as possible about our financial policies regarding payments, cancellations, and refunds. This policy exists because your enrollment reserves a limited spot in our program, and cancellations close to the start date make it difficult for us to fill that space. We strive to steward our resources wisely, and withdrawals create financial challenges that impact our ability to operate and serve others effectively. We appreciate your understanding of the commitments required to sustain this program for all participants.
By enrolling in this program, you acknowledge and agree to the following payment and refund policies:
- The $50 application fee and $500 enrollment deposit are non-refundable and non-transferable under all circumstances.
If you cancel or withdraw from the program, any additional program fees may be refundable or still due, based on the following schedule. Refunds and amounts due are calculated based on the total program cost, not the amount paid to date.
- More than 45 days before the program start date: 100% of total program fees refundable
- 30–44 days before the program start date: 50% of total program fees refundable (the remaining 50% is retained or still due if not yet paid)
- Less than 30 days before the program start date or anytime after the start date: No refund (100% of program fees are retained or still due if not yet paid)
If there is an outstanding balance at the time of cancellation or withdrawal, you are still required to pay any amount due according to the schedule above, whether through an existing payment plan or another payment method.
If you choose to cancel or withdraw your registration, please notify us in writing by sending an email to programs@theallendercenter.org.