"Engaging with the forest cards allowed me to access a deep and closed away part of myself and process old grief. The cards evocative nature didn't force a line of thought or emotion, but provided a reflection space that opened me up to myself. Allen's non-judgmental presence facilitated a profound, personal inquiry of these emotions that helped me find greater inner clarity and provided a sense of peace and closer that I've been lacking for years."
-Dr. Doris C. Rusch.
I often tell people that Allen is one of my favorite people walking this earth and that it’s a privilege to know him. I met Allen seven years ago when I had invited him to lead a game and graphic design program for a group of teens in Chicago public housing. Working with him completely shifted my perspective on youth work. He taught me how to build a container for youth to feel safe and empowered. He showed me the power of talking circles, the medicine of play, and the possibility of reinventing one’s personal narrative. I most appreciate how he holds space for others and the wisdom he carries that feels timeless and so purely sourced. Allen helped make our award-winning youth programs so much stronger as well as helped me individually to recenter and connect to my own medicine when I need it most.
-Liliane Calfee
Instructor and Director of
"Allen is an amazing human and a powerful healing force. I've received multiple sessions from Allen and I'm always touched by his gracious heart, openness and creativity, empathic space holding, and how he brings his lived experience and authenticity for the purpose of healing. His dancing nature and storytelling capacity help me to examine compassionately my own inner experience through dance which I find quite nourishing. Definitely recommend working with Allen 🤗"
-Rossi Dimitrova
“When I needed grace in a difficult space, Allen Turner gave it to me. He created an atmosphere of trust and allowed me to get to the crux of a very messy matter while still communicating from the heart. He’s a wizard, he’s a legend, he’s a saint. I cannot recommend this man more highly. He is the safe place we all need”
-Kay Kro
The Traveling Typist
"My coaching experience with Allen is he has a deep presence and support and guidance has been very transformative. I feel he sees the big picture and all the parts so clearly. And reflects back great new directions. I feel he has a lot of wisdom and many interesting life experiences that inform his coaching. He is kind, compassionate, wise, and I always walk away feeling so much better! I always look forward to our sessions! I am glad to see him helping so many people."
-Wendy Warnimont
A keynote about using play to move through hard times given at the Gotland Games Conference.
A talk given for the Transformative Play Initiative at Upsalla University about the role of the Trickster in our lives.
A talk given at the University of Kansas about stories, games, and play and my own journey with them.
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