Participant Covenant and Release of Claims

I, [your name], have been invited by [the name of your story group facilitator] (Student Facilitator) to participate in the Capstone Sessions (defined below) that have been organized by and will be facilitated by the Student Facilitator. I wish to participate in those Capstone Sessions. Signing and returning this Covenant is a condition of my participation. I am at least 18 years old. I have read this Covenant and acknowledge and agree to its statements and terms.

Capstone Sessions Description and Rules of Participation

The Capstone Sessions are story groups. Story groups are intended to offer a space for

participants to understand themselves more deeply and discover who God has fully created you

to be. In the Capstone Sessions, you will explore how your experiences have shaped who you

are, and begin to explore the complexity of your past with compassion and curiosity. This work is

based on the premise that our stories are best understood when seen and shared with each

other in a supportive and encouraging environment.

The Capstone Sessions are typically composed of 5-7 participants and a Student Facilitator,

and include weekly 1.5-2 hour sessions held over a period of 6 weeks. Prior to attending the

Capstone Sessions, participants will need to write a short story about an aspect of your own

childhood (ages 4-18) and submit that story to Brandon Atkinson (writing guidelines will be

provided). During the Capstone Sessions, participants will read the stories they’ve written and

receive engagement from the Brandon Atkinson and other group members about the

experiences they’ve shared about in their written story.

Unless extenuating circumstances arise, each group member’s presence is extremely

important. If for some reason you are unable to attend, please contact Brandon Atkinson

and give at least 24-hour notice, if possible, of your absence. Capstone Session participants are

expected to have checked their calendar and determined they are available to attend all

scheduled Capstone Sessions. Participants understand that absences will be excused in the

event of unexpected emergencies or illness.

1. Background Information about the Program; Fees.

1.1 The Allender Center (Center) is a part of The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology (The Seattle School).

1.2 The Center offers certificate programs, including Certificate in Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level I; Certificate in Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level II, and Certificate in Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level III (NFTC Level III). The NFTC Level III certificate program (Program) is a non-degree, continuing education and professional development certificate program. Brandon Atkinson is enrolled in the Program.

1.3 To complete the Program, Brandon Atkinson must organize and serve as a group facilitator for six 1.5-2 hour NFTC Level III Capstone Story Group Sessions (Capstone Sessions). These Capstone Sessions require a minimum of four to five participants. I accept the Brandon Atkinson’s invitation to participate in the Capstone Sessions.

1.4 The fee to participate in the Capstone Sessions is $350 and is non-refundable, unless other alternative fee amount was determined by Student Facilitator and Participant in writing, for example through an email.

2. Student Facilitator

2.1 The Program is open to clinicians, lay leaders, helping professionals, and leaders with missional alignment to do story work within or outside the Center. Brandon Atkinson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), however will not be operating as such during the Story Group Sessions. Instead, it will be in the role of a Story Group Facilitator.

2.2 Brandon Atkinson has not yet completed the Program.

2.3 Brandon Atkinson is responsible for recruiting individuals to participate in the Capstone Session. Capstone Session group participants are not selected or screened by the Center or The Seattle School.

2.4 Brandon Atkinson will receive written stories from the Capstone Session participants, and will properly delete or shred the documents to ensure they are not kept after the Capstone Sessions conclude.

2.5 Brandon Atkinson is not an employee, contractor, or agent of The Seattle School or the Center.

2.6 If I have a complaint or concern regarding the Capstone Sessions or Brandon Atkinson who organizes and leads the Capstone Sessions I attend, I understand I may contact the Center’s program team at programs@theallendercenter.org.

3. Capstone Session Materials and Conditions for Participation

3.1 Brandon Atkinson will provide me with guided content through various forms of media, such as How to Write a Story, To Be Told: Story Group Edition, and others, (Center Materials) for use during the Capstone Sessions.

3.2 The Center Materials are the intellectual property of The Seattle School. I may use the Center Materials to prepare for and while participating in the Capstone Sessions. I will not use the Center Materials for any other purpose, and I will not disclose the Center Materials to any individual or entity, except as required by law.

4. Content and Risks.

4.1 There is no guarantee Brandon Atkinson will conduct the Capstone Sessions as described in the Capstone Sessions Description (See Above). Brandon Atkinson is not required to use the format or materials provided by The Seattle School or the Center to conduct the Capstone Sessions.

4.2 For participants, like me, the Capstone Sessions are intended to provide a unique psycho-educational experience conducted by Brandon Atkinson that allows participants to engage their life stories. The Capstone sessions are designed to encourage participants to engage their stories in a holistic way by exploring psychological, spiritual, biological, and social aspects of both the personal and collective experience of their life stories.

4.3 I understand the Capstone Sessions are not therapy and do not act as a substitute for therapeutic engagement. I understand the Capstone Sessions provide an educational opportunity for Brandon Atkinson. As a participant, the Capstone Sessions are intended to provide me an opportunity to explore my own story and the stories of others participating in the Capstone Sessions. The content of these stories may involve disturbing content or other disturbing material. I also understand that by participating in the Capstone Sessions, I may discover and share about sensitive elements of my life experiences, and this may be very upsetting to me. I also understand Brandon Atkinson and other participants may reflect or comment on my own story in ways that I find disturbing or upsetting (for example, their conclusions may be different from the conclusions or the story I have held as true). I understand the risks involved in participating in the Capstone Sessions. I have adequately dealt with my personal issues, and I am mentally, emotionally, and psychologically healthy enough to participate in the Capstone Sessions. If at any time I do not believe I am mentally, emotionally, or psychologically healthy enough to continue to participate in the Capstone Sessions, I will withdraw from the Capstone Sessions and take care of myself. The Releasees (defined below) are not responsible for the costs I incur to take care of myself. If I paid any fee to participate in the Capstone Sessions, no refunds are allowed.

5. Sharing; Confidentiality; Removal.

5.1 I understand the importance of participating in the discussion portions of the Capstone Sessions. I will share my personal information and story in the Capstone Sessions in which I have been invited to participate. However, I will only share what I determine is appropriate and beneficial for me to share. I am solely responsible for setting my own boundaries and taking care of myself during the Capstone Sessions.

5.2 Because others in my Capstone Sessions will be sharing personal information about themselves, I will keep confidential all personal information I learn about those in my Capstone Sessions, including their names and any information they might share about themselves during the Capstone Sessions. I will not share that information with anyone outside my Capstone Sessions, except as required by law.

5.3 I may be removed from the Capstone Sessions if I do not pay the registration fees (if any) and other costs when due. I may also be removed from the Capstone Sessions by Brandon Atkinson, in his sole discretion, if Brandon Atkinson or the Center determines that my continued participation in the Capstone Sessions is disruptive to the learning environment. If I am removed from the Capstone Sessions for being disruptive, I understand Brandon Atkinson will not refund fees, deposits, or travel and other expenses I paid to participate in the Capstone Sessions.

6. Medical Consent

 I grant Brandon Atkinson permission to call 911 for medical emergency aid or to take me to a hospital or physician for medical treatment, or both, Brandon Atkinson believes I require medical care.  I assume responsibility for all medical, rescue, transportation, and other expenses incurred on my behalf.  Without limiting this permission or my assumption of responsibility for all associated expenses, I understand Brandon Atkinson may call 911 or take me to a hospital emergency room or a physician if I express any intent to harm myself or others, or if any of them believe I may be a danger to myself or others. Nothing in the Covenant requires The Seattle School or Brandon Atkinson to take any action on my behalf.

7. Waiver and Release of Claims


7.1 The following terms have the following definitions:

A. Claim means any claim, damages, fee (including attorney fees), cost, expense, and other liability, whether related to any personal, property, or other injury or otherwise.

B. Releasees means The Seattle School and its former, current, and future trustees, officers, employees, contractors, and other agents. Releasees also include the Student Facilitator and the owners and operators of any facility at which the Capstone Sessions are conducted. 


7.2 I hereby release the Releasees from and against all Claims, whether known or unknown, suspected or suspected, and whether existing now or arising in the future, that are related to my participation in the Capstone Sessions, including Claims related to my withdrawal or removal from the Capstone Sessions and any injuries to my person or property that I may suffer as a result of participating in any of the Capstone Sessions. Injuries to my person could include physical injuries (including death), psychological injuries, or any other injuries to my physical body or mind. 

A. This release of Claims is binding on me and on any person who asserts any Claim through me or on my behalf.

B. This release of Claims does not apply to any Claim against a particular Releasee to the extent the Claim is caused by the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of that particular Releasee.

C. I waive any rights I have under the California Civil Code section 1542 and any other similar statute that limits the release of Claims to those Claims that I know of or suspect might exist at the time I sign this Covenant. I am releasing unknown and unsuspected Claims, which if known to me now, might materially affect my decision to participate in the Capstone Sessions or sign this Covenant. 

8. Governing Law; Venue; and Personal Jurisdiction

This Covenant is governed by the laws of the State of Oklahoma, except for its conflict of laws provisions. Venue for any action to enforce the terms of this Covenant is in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. I hereby submit to the personal jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. If legal action is necessary to enforce the terms of this Covenant, the substantially prevailing party will be awarded against the non-substantially prevailing party.