Education

• PhD in Social Work and Psychology from University of Michigan
• MSW in Clinical Practice from University of Michigan
• BS in Psychology from University of Michigan

Biography

Dr. Ager's major areas of interest and research expertise are substance abuse, treatment outcome, family practice, and teaching/training counselors and students in evidence-based practices. Dr. Ager's current research interest focuses on couples and family treatment in alcohol and other drug misuse. His teaching background includes clinical and community practice, organizational theory, family practice, human behavior and the social environment, qualitative research, and addictions.

Selected Funding

2015-2016 - Mindfulness Training Intervention for TSSW Students (PI) TSSW, $7,000

2010-2011 - Questionnaire for Evidence-Based Practice with Violent Couples (PI) Dean’s Incentive Fund $7,500 and Research Enhancement Fund (22,500), $30,000

10/01-9/04 - Substance Abuse Services Alliance Practice-Research Collaborative Phase II Implementation Grant (PI) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, $849,271

Selected Publications

Ager, R. D., Adams K. B., & Yoshioka, M. R. (2021) Mental Disorders and Distress in Marriages with a Problem Drinking Husband, Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, DOI: 10.1080/07347324.2021.1872460

Ager, R. D., Yoshioka, M. R., & Adams, K. B. (2020). Unilateral Spouse Therapy to reach the treatment-resistant alcohol abusing partner: A randomized controlled trial. Research on Social Work Practice, 30(7), 802-814. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731520931171

Beasley, C. C., & Ager, R. (2019). Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: A systematic review of its effectiveness over the past 19 years. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 16(2), 144–159. https://doi.org/10.1 080/23761407.2018.1563013.

Ager, R. D. (2018). A Qualitative Study of Intimate Partner Violence from the Perpetrator’s Perspective. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518815142.

Ager, R. D. (2017). A qualitative study of intimate partner violence from a CognitiveBehavioral perspective. Journal of Interpersonal violence, 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517719902.

Ager, R. D. (2012). The Learning Activities Questionnaire: A Tool to Enhance Teaching. Journal of Social Work Education, 48(1), 127-138.

Wood, A. R., Ager, R. D., & Wood, R. J. (2011). Motivational Interviewing: A qualitative examination of factors impacting adoption and implementation in a community-wide setting. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 11(4), 336-351.

Ager, R. D., Roahen-Harrison, S., Toriello, P. J. Kissinger, P. Morse, P. Morse, E. V., Carney L. Rice, J., & (2011). Predictors of Adopting Motivational Enhancement Therapy. Research on Social Work Practice, 21 (1), 65-76. 

For more publications, see Dr. Ager's CV or his page at ResearchGate.

Community Involvement / Board Positions

• National Association of Social Workers, Member
• American Psychological Association, Member