Forming provocateurs of change
at the intersection of
text, soul, and culture.
Who We Are
The Seattle School is a progressive graduate school and seminary offering immersive, holistic graduate degree programs in counseling psychology, divinity, theology, and culture. Discover your calling, and hone your craft with us.
We began as a gathering of a few passionate dreamers who imagined a new kind of theological and psychological training—embracing the human story, in its beauty and complexity.
More Facts
By the Numbers
1160
Alumni leading in the field as pastors, counselors, artists, and leaders.
Our Alumni1997
The year our school began and matriculated our first cohort.
Our Story“The prophet is not an outsider throwing rocks, nor a comfortable insider who defends the status quo; but one who lives precariously with two perspectives held tightly together in a loving and creative tension: the faithful insider and the critical outsider. ”
Richard Rohr Explore our Programs
Upcoming Events
Learning Takes Your Whole Body
We live in a complex world. Engaging the beauty, complexity, and brokenness in ourselves and in the people around us requires a new kind of education—one that is robustly Christian, deeply questioning, and profoundly human. If you are seeking to deepen your capacity to work as a therapist, pastor, artist, leader, or healer, we invite you to join us at the intersection of text, soul, and culture.
Dr. Chelle Stearns on Theology & Culture
"We are at a critical time in American culture because we are so convinced that we know. There is something in this moment where we are riled up enough to take to the streets but we don't understand enough to have good dialogue. People in the MA in Theology & Culture program are invited to think well about what culture actually is and how to understand and engage theologically."
Dr. Roy Barsness on Facilitating Change
"Research demonstrates that the single most factor for change in psychotherapy is the relationship between the patient and the therapist. Given that, our program places a high emphasis on the development and formation of the self of the therapist. Working with our patients requires us to be deeply attuned to ourselves and willing to take risks with them in order for change to occur."
Dr. Angela Parker on Developing a Prophetic Voice
"A prophet will raise up a voice that speaks a truth to power in order to bring about change. The Seattle School is committed to forming pastors, chaplains, and leaders to be prophets for the revolution."
Featured Content
Why Counselors Make Poor Lovers
Doug Shirley writes about the tendency to wield clinical distance and professional jargon as a shield against the risk of vulnerability between lovers.
The Seattle School and The Allender Center to Participate in a Gathering on Race, Trauma, and the Gospel
The Seattle School, The Allender Center, and The Impact Movement are convening a gathering in Montgomery to wrestle with the realities of race, trauma, and the Gospel.
Transformative Education
Our sacred mission is one of building capacity to think, empathize, and mindfully engage amid pain, trauma, and injustice. Our immersive, interdisciplinary education model develops adaptive, embodied practitioners.
“My professors at The Seattle School are not only invested in my classroom learning, but in my becoming more fully who I am, and doing that with grace and patience. I feel called to work with people in such a way that it leads unto joy — and not cheap joy. My primary excitement is being alongside people during the impossible work of lament. ”
Carrie Cates, MDiv '17
All Courses
Featured Courses
Spirituality in the Arts: Harry Potter
Explore the spirituality of Harry Potter fandom and the world-building of JK Rowling, as we reflect on what happens when we are captivated by a shared narrative and reimagine our own stories through mythological dimensions.
Book of Job
Through deep engagement with the book of Job, deepen your understanding of the art of wisdom and consider the role of wisdom in the contexts of therapy, pastoral service, and social advocacy.
Lift Up Your Voice
Survey the prophetic streams in Scripture, in dialogue with contemporary voices in the global church, as you develop an understanding of the prophetic.
The Art of Spiritual Disciplines
Deepen your understanding of spiritual disciplines, including spiritual direction, through written work, selected readings, practical experiences, and guest speakers.