Timothy J. Williamson, Ph.D., MPH

I am the Director of the PRRISM lab and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). I am a clinical health psychologist with research interests in stress, stigma, and health. In my research, I use qualitative and quantitative methods to understand how some psychological and social factors (e.g., stigma, social adversity) can increase risk for negative mental and physical health outcomes, whereas others (e.g., self-compassion, mindfulness) can promote resilience in the face of profoundly stressful experiences, including chronic medical diseases such as cancer. I have focused my recent work on understanding and reducing the stigma experienced by adults with lung cancer.

I am also a licensed clinical psychologist with additional training in psychosocial oncology and public health. As part of my clinical training, I taught mindfulness and delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to individuals and couples in hospitals and community-based mental health clinics. I have worked in a variety of behavioral medicine settings, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Weill Cornell Pediatric Sleep & Breathing Disorders Center, and the UCLA Cystic Fibrosis Center.

I teach undergraduate courses at LMU in health psychology, psychopathology, and statistical methods for psychology. I am committed to mentorship and providing students with learning experiences that promote self-reflection and deep understanding.