Karen Prager

Karen Prager is a Professor of Psychology and Gender Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, affiliated with the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Department of Psychology. She leads the Couples Daily Lives Laboratory, specializing in couple relationship dynamics, conflict resolution, and intimacy recovery. Her work explores post-conflict emotional recovery, attachment security's role in relationship stability, and the impact of conflict behaviors like withdrawal or contempt.

Education: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology (UT Austin, 1977), M.A. in Educational Psychology (UT Austin, 1975), B.A. (UT Austin, 1973). Honors include Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Lambda Theta. She has held adjunct roles at UT Southwestern Medical Center and maintained a part-time private practice since 1980.

Research focuses on factors influencing couple recovery from conflict, including attributions, attachment styles, and dysfunctional behaviors. Key findings highlight how secure attachment can be undermined by partner withdrawal, and how conflict expansion beyond core issues harms intimacy. Current projects investigate self-regulation during conflict and individual personality factors affecting relationship satisfaction.

Publications span journals like Journal of Family Psychology and Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, with books on intimacy-oriented therapy and couple conflict. Awards include grants from the National Institute of Mental Health for intimacy development and relationship discord studies.

Teaching and clinical roles include directing UT Dallas's Gender Studies Program and overseeing the Galerstein Women's Center. Clinical experience includes supervising psychotherapy trainees, providing career counseling, and designing mental health training programs for organizations.