Catherall, Don

Psychologist Don Catherall’s professional life centered on two things: trauma and relationships. He published the first guide for families dealing with trauma, Back from the Brink (1992), edited the Handbook of Stress, Trauma and the Family (2004), and created the Emotional Safety model of couples therapy (2006). The Emotional Safety model mixes seamlessly with most other therapy models—its focus is on making the emotional relationship safe. Each partner is then able to be open and vulnerable, providing the best mindset for therapy.

Before becoming a professional psychologist, Don served in the Marines in Vietnam. Like many of his comrades, his father had served in WWII—in the Marines in the South Pacific. In his memoir, Shaped by the Shadow of War, Don describes growing up with his combat-hardened father. He goes on to tell both his own story and his father’s story, including the scorching battle for Peleliu. Their shared story is about generational healing.