Galena Rhoades

Galena Rhoades, Ph.D., is a Research Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Denver. Her research is on romantic relationship development and functioning, and the related implications for children and adults. Her research projects and collaborations include 1) basic science studies on commitment, cohabitation, aggression, infidelity, family background, relationship processes and psychopathology, military families, and adolescent and child adjustment as well as 2) studies on the effectiveness of preventive relationship interventions for couples and individuals (including gene-environment interactions). She is currently working as a PI, Co-I, evaluator or consultant on several foundation or federally-funded projects. As examples, one project is testing the effectiveness of hospital-based relationship education delivered to pregnant women (funded by ACF) and another is on measuring and modeling early relationship development (funded by NICHD). In addition to conducting research, she collaborates with PREP, Inc. in the development of relationship education curricula (e.g., Within My Reach and Within Our Reach). A particular interest in this applied work is the prevention of intimate partner violence through community-based relationship education. She also has a private practice in which she specializes in couples and families. Dr. Rhoades received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver in 2007.