David H. Olson, Ph.D., is the namesake of the NCFR Olson Grant: Bridging Research, Theory, and Practice.

Dr. Olson is renowned for his many contributions to the Family Science discipline as a scholar, teacher, therapist, and professional. Over the past 30 years, his Circumplex Model has enabled researchers and practitioners alike in examining a couple’s relationship through their flexibility, cohesion, and communication skills. Dr. Olson also established the PREPARE/ENRICH program, used around the world for premarital education and marriage counseling.  

Dr. Olson has spent his career developing theories and methods that help couples and families improve the quality of their lives together. The Circumplex Model and its accompanying instruments (FACES, Clinical Rating Scale) have been used to guide therapists in assessing couples and families and setting out treatment plans. Dr. Olson has written over 100 articles and 20 books on marriage and family, and has appeared numerous times on national television including the NBC Today Show, CBS Morning Show, ABC Good Morning America, and the Oprah Show. He has received numerous honors and awards recognizing his career from over 10 national associations. At NCFR, Dr. Olson is an NCFR Fellow and has been instrumental at NCFR, serving as a president, annual conference program chair, and serving three terms on the Board of Directors.