University of North Texas 
Ateka A. Contractor
Psychology
Associate Chair for Research
Clinical Psychology
Professor
Office: Terrill Hall-379
Education
University of Toledo - Toledo, Ohio (2015)
Internship
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University - Providence, Rhode Island (2015)
Postdoctoral Fellowship
VA Boston Healthcare System; Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information
Center - Boston, Massachusetts (2016)
Background & Research Interests
Dr. Contractor is Professor and Associate Chair of Research in the Department of Psychology at the University of North Texas. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Texas.
Dr. Contractor’s program of research examines (1) role of positive memory processes
in PTSD’s symptomatology and treatment; (2) transdiagnostic mechanisms underlying
PTSD’s relationship with depression and reckless behaviors (e.g., affect regulation);
(3) sociocultural influences on PTSD symptoms and posttrauma health; and (4) heterogeneity
in PTSD symptoms and traumatic experiences. Her work spans diverse methodological
approaches ranging from experimental designs, clinical trial studies, experience sampling
methodology, and community-engaged work. She employs cutting-edge statistical techniques
such as structural equation modeling, network analyses, and growth mixture modeling.
Grounded in a translational science framework, her research ranges from assessment
to intervention development to implementation, with a focus on expanding options for
and access to effective PTSD interventions, including for the South Asian community.
She has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and has presented more 100
papers at national and international conferences. She has obtained substantial funding
to support her research, including from NIH and BSF for her work on the Processing
of Positive Memories Technique (a novel PTSD intervention targeting the processing
of positive autobiographical memories). Besides being on several editorial boards,
she serves as the Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Anxiety Disorders. She has received
several awards for her scientific contributions, including APA Division 56 Award for
Outstanding Contribution to Trauma Psychology by an Early Career Psychologist, ISTSS
2022 Chaim and Bela Danieli Young Professional Award, and the UNT Department of Psychology
2022-2023 Excellence in Research Award.
The S.TR.E.S.S (Study of TRaumatic Experiences, Signs, and Symptoms) lab spearheaded
by Dr. Ateka Contractor attempts to address three major research questions: (1) heterogeneity
in traumatic experiences and corresponding PTSD symptomatology; (2) mechanisms of
PTSD's comorbidity with depression, impulse-based symptoms, and substance use disorders;
and (3) the role of cultural and personality influences in PTSD's symptomatology.
Current Grant Funding
"Daily Impacts of Posttrauma Distress and Sleep on Family Functioning among Asian
Indians in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence" (Mental Research Institute; 8/2024-7/2026;
$25,000)
"Examination and Refinement of a Novel Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder:
Processing of Positive Memories Technique" (PPMT) (NIMH; 9/2022-9/2026; $428,121)
"Daily Affect and Cognition Impacts of Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT)
in a Trauma-Exposed Community Sample" (United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation ; 10/2021-10/2026; $253,600)