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Barbara S. McCrady, PhD

Distinguished Professor of Psychology Emerita and former Director of the Center on Alcohol, Substance use, and Addictions at the University of New Mexico

Dr. McCrady is internationally known for her NIH-supported work on empirically supported treatments for substance use disorder (SUD). She created and tested one of the first cognitive-behavioral SUD treatment programs at Brown University and has developed and tested an original, conjoint treatment model for persons with SUD and their spouses. Dr. McCrady has been a leader in bringing scientific attention to Alcoholics Anonymous, has conducted controlled research on treatments to integrate 12-step and couples therapy, and research on mechanisms of change in family-involved treatment and 12-step oriented treatment. She also has conducted controlled research evaluating alternative treatment models for women with alcohol and other SUDs, brief family-involved addiction treatment, and treatments for substance dependent criminal justice system populations. With her colleague Elizabeth Epstein, in 2023 she published a new therapist guide and client workbook for group therapy for women with SUD. Her current research focuses on and neurocognitive and behavioral mechanisms of change in recovery from alcohol use disorder. Dr. McCrady is a past-president of RSA.