Karen J. Prager

Karen Prager is a Professor of Psychology and Gender Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas within the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, where she has taught for over 30 years. A Board-certified couple and family psychologist, she specializes in romantic relationship dynamics with expertise in intimacy, conflict management, and emotional recovery.

Dr. Prager earned her PhD in Counseling Psychology and an M.A. in Measurement and Evaluation from The University of Texas at Austin. Her academic foundation supports her dual focus on clinical practice and scholarly research.

Her research investigates how couples reconcile after conflicts and restore intimate bonds, emphasizing emotional recovery processes, differentiation of self, and attachment security. The Couples Daily Lives Lab conducts real-time studies on post-conflict behavior in day-to-day relationships, revealing how reconciliation efforts impact long-term relationship health.

Analysis of her publication record shows sustained focus on intimacy restoration mechanisms across 30 years, utilizing daily diary methods and experimental designs to map conflict-recovery pathways. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical therapeutic applications for couples navigating relationship challenges.

She holds Board Certification in Couple and Family Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), reflecting clinical excellence in the field.

Dr. Prager mentors undergraduate students through the Couples Daily Lives Lab, providing hands-on research experience in relationship science. Her studies are supported by research grants though specific funding sources aren't detailed in available materials.

The Couples Daily Lives Lab currently executes two major projects: one examining partner behavior during and after conflict to understand emotional recovery patterns, and another developing a classification system for reconciliation efforts to determine their effectiveness in restoring intimacy.