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
Faculty Friday: Dr. Roy Barsness
Today’s Faculty Friday highlight is Dr. Roy Barsness, Professor of Counseling Psychology at The Seattle School and author of Core Competencies of Relational Psychoanalysis. Dr. Barsness holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology – Los Angeles, an MA in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, a Postgraduate […]
Gallery: Celebrating Our 20th Commencement Ceremony
We’re thrilled to share these beautiful images from Brighten Photography looking back at our 20th Commencement ceremony on June 30, 2018.
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
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Featured Courses
Faith, Hope, Love: Ultimate Relational Concerns
Consider the pursuit of meaning in the development of identity and explore the concept of maturity from a theological and psychological viewpoint, all while linking mission and identity as a framework for considering one's calling and life.
The Battle of Shame
Examine how shame permeates relationships and is connected to our deepest human fears, and explore how shame can be addressed within a therapeutic context.
Celtic Spirituality
Dive into the "Golden Age of Saints and Scholars," wrestling with the lasting impact that the ethos, worldview, and values of Celtic Christianity have on today's Church.
God, Gender & Sexuality
Survey, compare and contrast, and evaluate various perspectives on God, gender, and sexuality from the depth and breadth of the Christian tradition, with special reference to critical social theory around gender and sexual identity.