David A. F. Haaga

David A. F. Haaga is a Professor of Psychology at American University, where he has maintained continuous faculty service since 1989. His academic journey began with an AB in Psychology and Social Relations from Harvard College, followed by MA and PhD degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern California, and postdoctoral training in cognitive therapy at the University of Pennsylvania.

His educational background includes:

• AB, Psychology and Social Relations, Harvard College
• MA, Psychology (Clinical), University of Southern California
• PhD, Psychology (Clinical), University of Southern California

Dr. Haaga's research program focuses on the intersection of cigarette smoking, depression vulnerability, and trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder). His work examines cognitive coping mechanisms among depression-vulnerable smokers, the development of specialized assessment tools like the Cigarette Smoking Consequences Looming Scale, and innovative stepped-care models for treating body-focused repetitive behaviors. His research methodology integrates cognitive behavioral therapy principles with rigorous clinical trial design, particularly examining how depression history influences treatment response in smoking cessation programs and trichotillomania interventions. His work bridges basic cognitive theory with clinical application, demonstrating how cognitive vulnerabilities impact behavioral health outcomes.

Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent focus on three interconnected domains: depression-vulnerable smoking cessation (40% of publications), trichotillomania treatment development (30%), and cognitive theory validation (30%). His most recent work (2014-2018) shows increased emphasis on treatment validation metrics and stepped-care models for impulse control disorders, utilizing randomized controlled trial methodology and specialized assessment tools.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow status in both the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (2015) and Association for Psychological Science (2015)
• American University Award for Excellence in Doctoral Student Mentoring (2015)
• Outstanding Service to ABCT award (2015)
• Multiple research funding awards from NCI, NIMH, and the Office of Naval Research
• Election to the TLC Foundation's Science Advisory Board (2016)

As an educator and mentor, Dr. Haaga has guided doctoral students through dissertation completion (earning AU's mentoring award in 2015) and taught advanced clinical courses including PSYC-630 (Psychotherapy Theory), PSYC-710 (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Practice), and doctoral dissertation seminars. His grant portfolio demonstrates sustained external funding since 1995, with recent projects including NCI-funded research on looming vulnerability in smoking cessation (2015-2019) and NIMH-supported stepped-care treatment for trichotillomania (2010-2013).

He directs research activities at American University's Clinical Psychology Research Lab and the Gray Psychotherapy Training Clinic, where his team implements evidence-based treatments while advancing methodological approaches to studying treatment processes and outcomes in real-world training settings.