Dr. Donald H. Meichenbaum is a Psychologist and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Waterloo, Ontario. At the time of his retirement from the University of Waterloo in 1998, Dr. Meichenbaum was the most-cited psychology researcher at a Canadian university. Since his retirement from the University, he serves as research director of the Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment at the University of Miami. As one of the founders of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dr. Meichenbaum is well-known for his research and publications on psychotherapy; a survey of members of the American Psychological Association voted him the tenth most influential psychotherapist of the 20th century. He has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Clinical Division of the American Psychological Association and was Honorary President of the Canadian Psychological Association. Dr Meichenbaum has presented in all 50 U.S. states and internationally and he has published extensively. His latest book is entitled "Treating individuals with addictive disorders".
Dr. Don Meichenbaum
Psychologist (United States)
Areas of Interest
- Cognitive and behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) and development of Stress Inoculation Training (SIT).
- Prevention and treatment of psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly among veterans, assault victims, and first responders.
- Research on resilience and post-traumatic growth.
- Clinical training and supervision in CBT, as well as the integration of positive psychology into clinical practice.
- Design of psychoeducational approaches and training programs for clinicians and mental health organizations.
Online Presence
Founder and director of the Melisa Institute for Trauma Care (Melisa Institute), where he offers resources, publications, and training on trauma and resilience. His professional website provides guides, videos, articles, and manuals for clinicians and individuals affected by traumatic events. Regular speaker at international conferences and webinars on CBT, suicide prevention, and post-traumatic growth. Active on professional platforms such as ResearchGate, LinkedIn, and in specialized podcasts on trauma psychology and evidence-based psychotherapy.
Selected Publications
- Meichenbaum, D. (2007). Stress inoculation training: A preventative and treatment approach. In P. M. Lehrer, R. L. Woolfolk, & W. E. Sime (Eds.), Principles and practice of stress management (3rd ed., pp. 497–518). Guilford Press.
- Meichenbaum, D. (2017). Roadmap to resilience: A guide for military, trauma victims and their families. Institute Press.
- Meichenbaum, D. (1993). Changing conceptions of cognitive behavior modification: Retrospect and prospect. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61(2), 202–204. https://doi-org.proxy3.library.mcgill.ca/10.1037/0022-006X.61.2.202
- Meichenbaum, D., & Deffenbacher, J. L. (1988). Stress inoculation training. Counseling Psychologist, 16(1), 69–90. https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000881610055
Affiliations
- Co-founder of the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center in Waterloo, Ontario.
- Director of the Melisa Institute for Trauma Care (Miami, United States).
- Former professor of clinical psychology at the University of Waterloo (Canada).
- Honorary member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).
- Internationally recognized speaker and trainer for his contributions to cognitive therapy and trauma prevention.
Courses
How to achieve the best outcomes: the core tasks of psychotherapy
Excellence in therapy isn’t a mystery — it’s a set of skills you can sharpen.