The Research Behind Narrative Focused Trauma Care®

May 9, 2025

Dr. David C. Wang is a psychologist and pastor, leading the emotionally healthy leaders program at Fuller Theological Seminary. Joining him is Dr. Danielle Zurinsky, a research manager at the Allender Center with expertise in health psychology. They dive into a groundbreaking research project on Narrative Focused Trauma Care, exploring why storytelling can be so transformative. Their conversation reveals the blending of faith and psychology, the importance of personal narratives in trauma recovery, and the vital role of community in healing.

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ANECDOTE

Dave Wang's Research Origin Story

Dave Wang's journey to research began with a profound personal crisis involving clergy sexual misconduct.
This led him to question how people truly change and heal, fueling his dedication to trauma therapy and spiritual formation.

ANECDOTE

Danielle Zurinsky's Academic Journey

Danielle Zurinsky initially struggled with rejection from clinical PhD programs, leading her to pursue research overseas.
Listening to the Allender Center podcast inspired her eventual joining, connecting her passion with her career.

INSIGHT

Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

Quantitative research captures large patterns using data and stats, while qualitative research focuses on rich individual experiences through interviews.
Qualitative methods reveal the complexities of personal stories missed by broad quantitative trends.

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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