Joah Landon Williams

Dr. Joah Landon Williams is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Memphis. His research focuses on assessing and preventing trauma-related mental health issues among victims of violence, developing transdiagnostic early interventions, and addressing health disparities linked to community violence and traumatic loss. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of Memphis and a B.A. from Sewanee: The University of the South.

Dr. Williams leads the Stress and Trauma Evaluation and Prevention Science (STEPS) Lab, collaborating with local and national partners to translate research into actionable interventions. He plans to admit a doctoral student for Fall 2025 and is actively involved in community-based studies on trauma treatment and prevention. Recent work includes evaluating hospital-based early interventions for gunshot survivors, exploring cultural factors in grief experiences, and analyzing healthcare utilization post-supportive housing placement.

His publications emphasize evidence-based approaches to mental health, such as Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) for sudden loss survivors and modular treatment strategies for violent loss. He has also addressed disparities in mental health care access among marginalized populations, including young Black men and victims of intrafamilial homicide.

Dr. Williams advises students in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program and collaborates on grants focused on trauma intervention dissemination, such as the ECHO model for disaster mental health response. His lab maintains strong ties with community organizations to ensure research aligns with real-world needs.