Offered In Partnership With:
Marriage Story Intensive
A 3-Day Transformational Retreat for Your Marriage
Ferndale, WA | Limited to 8 Couples
Upcoming Dates:
April 2-4, 2027 July 16-18. 2027
Longing for more in your marriage?
You desire to feel close, safe, and known in your marriage. But the reality is often different—disconnection, cycles of conflict, and old wounds can leave you feeling stuck, discouraged, and even hopeless.
You’re not alone. Every couple has patterns that can block connection. The question is: will you keep repeating them, or find a way through?
How the MSI Will Help Your Marriage
A Proven Path Towards Connection and Renewal
The Marriage Story Intensive is a three-day, small-group experience designed to help you and your spouse move beyond cycles of conflict and rediscover intimacy, delight, and hope in your marriage. Here’s how it works:
1. Marriage Story Teaching
Explore how family of origin, shame, contempt, trauma, and conflict shape your marriage.
2. Story Work in Small Groups
Process your own marriage story with expert guidance in an intimate setting (4 couples per group).
3. Conversation & Connection
Enjoy private meals, meaningful conversations, and space to reflect together in a serene retreat setting.
Meet Your Marriage Guides
Dr. Dan Allender is a pioneer in trauma and abuse therapy and co-founder of The Allender Center. For more than 30 years, his innovative work has helped countless people find healing by connecting the story of the gospel with the stories of harm and heartache in their lives.
A bestselling author and sought-after speaker, Dan has written numerous books, including The Wounded Heart, To Be Told, and The Deep-Rooted Marriage, which he co-authored with Dr. Steve Call. He also co-hosts The Allender Center Podcast, which has more than 3 million downloads.
Dr. Steve Call is a renowned clinical psychologist, author, and professor with more than 30 years of experience helping couples heal and reconnect. As co-founder of The Reconnect Institute, he combines deep clinical expertise with a compassionate, trauma-informed approach. He is the author of Reconnect and, along with Dr. Dan Allender, the co-author of The Deep-Rooted Marriage.
Lisa Call is a trauma-informed story work facilitator. She is certified in narrative-focused trauma care through The Allender Center. Together, Dr. Steve and Lisa have guided countless couples toward renewed intimacy, hope, and flourishing.
A Unique Space to Grow and Heal Your Marriage
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Grow in intimacy and connection while exploring God's design for your marriage
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Understand the intersection of past, present, and future in your shared story
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Understand the intersection of past, present, and future in your shared story
What You’ll Experience
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Large-group teaching and discussion with Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Steve Call
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Small-group Story Work with Dan & Becky Allender or Steve & Lisa Call, diving deeper into your individual and marital stories
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Private tables for lunch and dinner, plus coffee, espresso, and breakfast foods each morning
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Time and space to reflect, process, and reconnect with your spouse in a beautiful retreat setting
Upcoming Dates
April 2-4, 2027 July 16-18, 2027
Testimonies of Transformation
We’ve already done so much work as individuals and as a couple, but this experience allowed us to honor each other deeply. This was truly one of the most incredible experiences of my life that I will hold deeply in my heart!
- Marriage Story Intensive Participant
It combined deep therapy work with top-notch professionals. The level of expertise between Steve and Dan and their wives is unmatched. Appreciated the level of authenticity and vulnerability in their teaching.
- Marriage Story Intensive Participant
The entire Intensive gave us a shared language around how our family of origin experiences impact our marriage relationship. So helpful!
- Marriage Story Intensive Participant
THE LOCATION
A Unique, Beautiful Setting for Connection
The Marriage Story Intensive takes place at The Barn, a beautiful 10-acre hay farm just north of Bellingham, Washington, with breathtaking views of Mt. Baker.
This peaceful, natural setting allows couples to step away from the busyness of life, breathe at a slower pace, and focus fully on their marriage. Every detail—from private dining to cozy spaces for reflection—has been designed to create an atmosphere of presence, connection, and transformation.
The Marriage Story Intensive is intimate and limited to 8 couples, ensuring personalized attention and a transformative experience.
Total Cost: $6,700 per couple (includes all teaching, group experiences, and meals; lodging is not included.)
Deposit: A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot
Full Payment due by Feb 1st (April 2027 Intensive) or May 17th (July 2027 Intensive).
Scholarships may be available—see FAQ for details.
Join Us
FAQ
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The Marriage Story Intensive is designed for couples who want an opportunity to understand more deeply the relational patterns that limit connection and long for hope and healing in their marriage. The Intensive is not appropriate if you are currently facing domestic violence, addiction, or other serious relational issues.
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Friday and Saturday:
8:45 am - 6 pm
Sunday:
8:45 am - 1 pm
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For those outside Washington State, flights can arrive/depart from Seattle or Bellingham, Washington. Driving directions will also be provided. Lodging recommendations are available upon request.
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A series of pre-Marriage Story Intensive reflections will be sent to each couple to help prepare for our time together. All participants are encouraged to read The Deep Rooted Marriage, authored by Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Steve Call. You are also encouraged to read Dr. Allender’s Intimate Mystery and Dr. Call’s Reconnect
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All 8 couples will be offered unique teaching from Dr. Allender and Dr. Call during large group times. Small groups (4 couples each) meet privately, offering couples a more intimate setting to explore the previous teaching topics with Dr. Dan and Becky Allender, and Dr. Steve and Lisa Call.
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The Marriage Story Intensive provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with expert therapists and professors in the field of marriage therapy. The Marriage Story Intensive offers couples space to interact with one another and other couples that long for similar connections in their marriages.
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A $500 deposit is required at the time of acceptance to secure a reservation for you and your spouse. This non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is applied to your intensive fee. The remainder is due no later than 60 days before the intensive's start date.
All payments (including deposit) are processed via Square (an online payment platform) and can be made via credit card or bank transfer.
Your $500 registration deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. The remaining Intensive fee of $6200 follows this cancellation schedule:
More than 60 days in advance of the Intensive start date: 100%
45-60 days in advance of the Intensive start date: 50%
Less than 45 days in advance of the Intensive start date: 0%
If you choose to cancel your registration, please notify us in writing by emailing stevecallphd@gmail.com. Note: Full payment is due at least 60 days prior to the MSI start date. If payment is not made as outlined, your reserved spot will be removed.