The Research Behind Narrative Focused Trauma Care

If you’ve experienced the healing power of engaging your
story—through a Story Workshop, Recovery Week, Narrative Focused
Trauma Care (NFTC) training, or a Story Group in your own
context—you may have found yourself wondering: Why does this work
feel so deeply transformative? What’s actually happening here?


In this special episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on a
groundbreaking, multi-year research project that’s beginning to
explore those very questions. Dr. Danielle Zurinsky of the
Allender Center and Dr. David C. Wang of Fuller Theological
Seminary join Dr. Dan Allender and Rachael Clinton Chen to share
what they’re discovering so far—and why this moment matters.


This work is part of a broader initiative we’re calling the NFTC
Model Research & Publication Project. It’s an ambitious,
long-term effort to clarify, codify, and formally articulate the
core framework of Narrative Focused Trauma Care. Grounded in the
decades-long work of Dr. Dan Allender, this project is about more
than research—it’s about building a foundation that allows this
healing model to be recognized, trusted, and shared more widely.


In today’s conversation, we’re letting you in early—before the
publications—because we want this process to be rooted in
relationship, transparency, and shared vision. Whether you’re a
practitioner, a past participant, or someone simply curious about
the impact of story, you’re part of this unfolding journey, too!


And if your own healing has been shaped by story engagement with
NFTC, this is a chance to be part of something bigger. You can
support the continuation of this growing body of research—fueling
everything from the team of scholars and writers to expanded
training opportunities and broader recognition in therapeutic,
academic, and spiritual spaces.


You can visit theallendercenter.org/give to contribute at any
financial level. We are currently fundraising to support the next
phase of this project’s continuation. Your contribution will help
ensure this work continues—so more people, families, and
communities can experience the deep transformation that comes
through engaging their stories with courage and care.


To learn more about NFTC, visit
theallendercenter.org/nftc