Dr. Monnica T. Williams is a board-certified licensed clinical psychologist and Professor at the University of Ottawa, in the School of Psychology, where she is the Canada Research Chair in Mental Health Innovation and Equity. She is also the Clinical Director of the Behavioral Wellness Clinics in Ottawa and Connecticut, where she provides supervision and training to clinicians for empirically-supported treatments as well as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP).

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Prior to her move to Canada, Dr. Williams was on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School (2007–2011), the University of Louisville in Psychological and Brain Sciences (2011–2016), where she served as the Director of the Center for Mental Health Disparities, and the University of Connecticut (2016–2019), where she had appointments in both Psychological Science and Psychiatry.

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Dr. Williams' research focuses on BIPOC mental health, culture, and psychopathology, and she has published over 200 scientific articles on these topics. Current projects include the treatment of racial trauma, improving cultural competence in the delivery of mental health care services, and addressing structural racism. She gives diversity trainings nationally for academic programs, scientific conferences, and organizations.

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Her research in psychedelic science examines the therapeutic potential of substances such as psilocybin and MDMA, particularly for treating racial trauma and other stress-related disorders among BIPOC populations. Her work includes empirical studies on the impact of psychedelics on mental health symptoms, investigations of access disparities, and ethical considerations in psychedelic-assisted therapies. Her publications in this area are contributing to a growing body of knowledge shaping the culturally-informed application of psychedelic treatments.

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She serves as an Associate Editor of Behavior Therapy and the Behavior Therapist, and on the editorial boards of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Canadian Psychology, International Journal of Mental Health, Journal of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders, and The Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. She is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation and co-founded their Diversity Council. Her work has been featured in all major US and Canadian media outlets, including NPR, CBS, CTV, CBC, Huffington Post, and The New York Times.

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Role with CAN-PACT:

Dr. Williams serves as a Co-Investigator on CAN-PACT, the Canadian Network for Psychedelic-Assisted Cancer Therapy. Her role involves contributing expertise on racial health disparities and ensuring the cultural relevance and accessibility of psychedelic-assisted therapy for individuals from BIPOC communities. She also serves on CAN-PACT’s Education/Training Committee and Clinical Trials Committee, supporting the development of culturally-informed protocols and training programs that prioritize equity and inclusion in cancer care delivery.

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Personal Goals for CAN-PACT:

Dr. Williams aims to ensure that emerging psychedelic-assisted therapies are informed by diverse lived experiences and are equitably available to all Canadians, particularly those from historically underserved racial and ethnic groups. She is especially committed to advocating for policy changes that support inclusive, trauma-informed care within the Canadian public health system.