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Dan Allender, PhD

Dr. Dan Allender is a pioneer of a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy. For over 40 years, the has brought healing and transformation to hundreds of thousands of lives by bridging the story of the gospel and the stories of trauma and abuse that mark so many.

After receiving his Master of Science in Counseling from Barry University and his Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, Dan earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University. Dan previously served on faculty at the Biblical Counseling Department of Grace Theological Seminary (1983-1989) and Colorado Christian University (1989-1997). In 1997, Dan and a cadre of others founded ÌìÃÀÊÓÆµ of Theology & Psychology, in order to train therapists, pastors, artists, and leaders to more effectively serve in the context of the 21st century. Dan served as President of ÌìÃÀÊÓÆµ from 2002-2009.

In 2011, The Allender Center was founded by Dr. Dan Allender and Rebecca Allender, MA, alongside Cathy Loerzel, MA, with the support of to cultivate healing and train leaders and mental health professionals to courageously engage others’ stories of harm.

Dan continues to serve as Professor of Counseling Psychology at ÌìÃÀÊÓÆµ. He travels and speaks extensively—recent engagements include , , , and the —to present his unique perspective on sexual abuse recovery, love and forgiveness, intimacy and marriage, and other related topics. Dan is the author of The Wounded Heart, The Healing Path, To Be Told, and God Loves Sex, and he has co-authored several books with Dr. Tremper Longman, including Intimate Allies, The Cry of the Soul, Bold Love, Bold Purpose, and co-authored Redeeming Heartache: How Past Suffering Reveals True Calling with Cathy Loerzel. Most recently, he co-authored with Steve Call, PhD. Dan also co-hosts the Allender Center’s weekly with Rachael Clinton Chen, which has had more than 4 million downloads.

Dan and his wife Becky live on Bainbridge Island, where they enjoy time with their grandchildren and their three adult children, Annie, Amanda, and Andrew.

Dan specializes in speaking on:

  • Sexual abuse recovery
  • Trauma and abuse
  • Marriage
  • Intimacy
  • Love and forgiveness

Dan Allender’s photo credit: Blake Foster Creative