Nathaniel Herr

Nathaniel Herr is an Associate Professor of Psychology at American University, where he joined the Department of Psychology in 2012. He directs the Interpersonal Emotion Laboratory and mentors numerous graduate and undergraduate students in psychological research.

Dr. Herr received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and completed postdoctoral training with a faculty appointment at Duke University Medical Center. His educational background includes a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania.

His research focuses on the etiology and effects of interpersonal dysfunction, emotion regulation difficulties, and identity disturbance, particularly among adults or emerging adults with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The Interpersonal Emotion Laboratory examines how interpersonal relationships can facilitate both effective and ineffective emotion regulation within the context of BPD. Current research projects include exploring authentic emotional expression, telehealth applications of emotion regulation strategies, and the use of EEG to examine emotional reactivity.

Dr. Herr's lab has conducted studies on emotion recognition, validation/invalidation effects on aggression, daily diary approaches to understanding interpersonal functioning in couples, and pilot studies of virtually-disseminated DBT Skills Groups. His research demonstrates how relationships, relationship behaviors, and interpersonal cognitions can be both effective and ineffective for individuals with BPD and related disorders.

Dr. Herr trains students in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and statistical methods in psychology. He has taught courses including Quantitative Methods in Psychology and Advanced Behavioral/Cognitive Therapy Practice.

His lab collaborates with other researchers at American University, including Dr. Kate Gunthert and her Stress and Emotion Lab, on projects examining predictors of interpersonal conflict, mood, and relationship aggression in community samples using daily diary methodology.