Mark Williams
Oxford psychologist who turned mindfulness toward depression.
Co-developer of MBCT and founder of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, applying mindfulness to prevent depressive relapse and reduce suicidal behavior.
terms
techniques
Thoughts are just thoughts. They are our servants, not our masters.
Who they were
J. Mark G. Williams is a British clinical psychologist and Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oxford. He is one of three co-founders of MBCT and was founding director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. His research focuses on preventing depression and suicide, especially the cognitive processes that make relapse likely.
Terms they cared about
Ideas worth knowing
Their techniques
How the work was done
Their big idea
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Theory
Depression relapses when low mood reactivates old thought patterns; mindfulness changes that relationship.
The approach they founded
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Blends cognitive therapy with mindfulness so you relate to thoughts and moods differently — and stop the relapse spiral.
Questions in their spirit
What they’d ask you
Sit with one. Answer online, or in the app.
Carry the idea forward
Williams — What they’d ask you
Psipas asks you one small, honest question at a time — and builds the picture from your answers.