Dan Allender

Dr. Dan B. Allender has pioneered a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy over the past 30 years.  Central to Dr. Allender’s approach are the categories of Faith, Hope and Love and their converse betrayal, ambivalence, and powerlessness.  Through engaging these categories and in learning to identify them in one’s personal story, healing and transformation can occur by bridging the story of the gospel and the stories of trauma and abuse that mark so many.

Having received his Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, Dr. Allender went on to earn his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University. Dan taught in the Biblical Counseling Department of Grace Theological Seminary for seven years (1983-1989). From 1989-1997, Dan worked as professor in the Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling program at Colorado Christian University, Denver, Colorado. In 1997, Dan with a cadre of others founded The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology in order to train therapists and pastors to more effectively serve in the context of the 21st century. Dan served as President of The Seattle School from 2002-2009.

Dan continues to serves as Professor of Counseling Psychology at The Seattle School. He travels and speaks extensively to present his unique perspective on sexual abuse recovery, love & forgiveness, worship, and other related topics. Dan is the author of The Wounded Heart and The Healing Path and has co-authored several books with Dr. Tremper Longman (Intimate Allies, The Cry of the Soul, Bold Love and Bold Purpose).

Episodes appearing in

The Charge Toward Manhood

with Dan Allender, Dennis Rainey,...more
October 20, 2017
Knowing what to do and doing what you know are two different things. Rick Phillips, Dennis Rainey, Dan Allender, Tim Kimmel, and Robert Lewis each give a charge to see and pursue God's best as a godly man. View Show Notes →

Conflict Is Necessary

with Dan Allender, Gary Rosberg, ...more
March 13, 2017
A healthy relationship without conflict is a myth. From the FamilyLife Today vault, hear classic conversations about conflict and forgiveness. View Show Notes →

The Truth Shall Set You Free

with Dan Allender
June 1, 2016
Dan Allender tells sexual abuse victims to find hope in God, and reminds them that they are not alone. Restoration won't begin, however, until they acknowledge they are broken. View Show Notes →

Pressing Into the Conversation

with Dan Allender
May 31, 2016
Dan Allender reminds believers that there is a thief who is out to kill, steal, and destroy, and he's still alive and well. Dan tells parents the symptoms of sexual abuse in children. View Show Notes →

How Prevalent Is Sexual Abuse?

with Dan Allender
May 30, 2016
Dan Allender reminds listeners that in order for there to be healing from sexual abuse, the victim must acknowledge there's been a wounding. Admitting the truth is the first step to freedom. View Show Notes →

The Apostles’ Food Fight

with Dan Allender
November 27, 2015
When things get tough do you blame or do you boast? According to Dr. Dan Allender, you probably do both. And so did Jesus' disciples. Dan Allender explores what he calls "the Apostle's food fight" from Luke 11. View Show Notes →

Catching the Little Foxes

with Dan Allender
September 18, 2015
Is something putting a damper on your sex life lately? Dan Allender takes us to the "little foxes" that can ruin the marital vineyard. Hear his suggestion for keeping your marriage vibrant. View Show Notes →

Desire and Holiness

with Dan Allender
September 17, 2015
God thinks highly of the sexual union. After all, He created it. Professor Dan Allender walks us through the Song of Solomon and shares some practical advice for contemporary husbands and wives. View Show Notes →

To Know and Be Known

with Dan Allender
September 16, 2015
God loves sex. Surprised? Well-known author and speaker, Dan Allender, reminds listeners that sex was designed by God to be a good and enjoyable part of marriage. View Show Notes →

Sexual Problems in Marriage, Part 2

with Dan Allender
August 17, 2010
Have those sparks in the bedroom dwindled to ashes? View Show Notes →

Sexual Problems in Marriage, Part 1

with Dan Allender
August 16, 2010
Is the intimacy between you and your spouse all it can be? View Show Notes →

Hope in the Midst of Marriage Conflict, Part 3

with Dan Allender
July 15, 2005
Dr. Dan Allender tells how couples can move toward restoration in their relationship after a fight has torn them apart. View Show Notes →

Hope in the Midst of Marriage Conflict,

with Dan Allender
July 14, 2005
Dr. Dan Allender explains how conflict can actually help a marriage rather than hinder it. View Show Notes →

Finding Freedom From Domestic Abuse

with Dan Allender, Nancy Murphy
June 25, 2004
Ten years into the marriage, Nancy decided it was time to leave the abuse routinely initiated by her husband. View Show Notes →

The Root of Domestic Violence

with Dan Allender, Nancy Murphy
June 24, 2004
Nancy Murphy talks about the cycle of abuse many women endure and the fear and anger that often triggers the violence. View Show Notes →

The Abuse Begins

with Dan Allender, Nancy Murphy
June 23, 2004
Nancy Murphy talks about the domestic abuse she endured at the hands of her former husband. View Show Notes →

Turning Down the Voice of the Culture

with Dan Allender
March 26, 2004
Dr. Dan Allender tells parents how to turn down the voices of the culture in order to parent more effectively. View Show Notes →

Exhibiting God’s Grace

with Dan Allender
March 25, 2004
Dr. Dan Allender talks about extending God's grace to our children. View Show Notes →

Introducing Our Children to God

with Dan Allender
March 24, 2004
Dr. Dan Allender tells how his children are teaching him to walk more closely with God. View Show Notes →