Education

Master of Counselling (M.C.) in Counselling Psychology, Athabasca University
Master’s Thesis: Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Mothers’ Lived Experiences of Recovery Following Effective Counselling

Master of Science (M.Sc.) with specialization in Clinical and Health Neuroscience, McMaster University
Master’s Thesis: Emotional Memory in Pregnant Women at Risk for Postpartum Depression

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology, University of Western Ontario
Undergraduate Independent Study: Examining the Antidepressant Effects of Imipramine on CD-1 mice in the Forced Swim Test

Professional Registrations and Memberships

Registered Psychologist, The College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP; https://www.cap.ab.ca/) and The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO; https://cpbao.ca/)

Canadian Psychological Association (CPA; https://cpa.ca/)

International OCD Foundation (IOCDF; https://iocdf.org/)

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Journal Articles (Published)

Sinyor, M., Hartman, M., Zaheer, R., Williams, M., Pirkis, J., Heisel, M. J., … Niederkrotenthaler, T. (2023). Differences in Suicide-related twitter content according to user influence. Crisis, 44(4), 292-299. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000865

Cote, D., Williams, M., Zaheer, R., Niederkrotenthaler, T., Schaffer, A., & Sinyor, M. (2021). Suicide-related twitter content in response to a national mental health awareness campaign and the association between the campaign and suicide rates in Ontario. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 66(5), 460-467. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743720982428

Sinyor, M., Hawes, D., Rector, N. A., Cheung, A. H., Williams, M., Cheung, C., … Goldstein, B. I. (2020). Preliminary investigation of a novel cognitive behavioural therapy curriculum on the wellbeing of middle schoolers. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 29(2), 66-75. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7213921/

Sinyor, M., Williams, M., Zaheer, R., Loureiro, R., Pirkis, J., Heisel, M. H., Schaffer, A., … Cheung, A. H. (2020). The relationship between suicide-related twitter events and suicides in Ontario from 2015 to 2016. Crisis, 42, 40-47. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000684.

Sinyor, M., Williams, M., Mitchell, R., Zaheer, R., Bryan, C. B., Schaffer, A., Westreich, N., … Ellis, J. (2020). Cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention in youth admitted to hospital following an episode of self-harm: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 266, 686-694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.178

Sinyor, M., Williams, M., Schaffer, A., Kurdyak, P., Tran, U. S., Niederkrotenthaler, T., & Pirkis, J. (in press). Suicides in young people in Ontario following the release of '13 Reasons Why'. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 64(11), 798-804. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743719870507

Hawkins, M., Williams, M., Schaffer, A., Reis, C., Sareen, J., Sockalingam, S., & Sinyor, M. (2019). Body mass index weight categories in adults who died by suicide: An observational study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 257(1), 454-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.06.061

Sinyor, M., Williams, M., & Niederkrotenthaler, T. (2019). Media depictions of possible suicide contagion among celebrities: A cause for concern and potential opportunities for prevention. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 53(8), 735-738. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867419846390

Sinyor, M., Williams, M., Gulati, S., & Schaffer, A. (2019). An observational study of suicide deaths by self-poisoning with opioids in Toronto (1998-2015). The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 64(8), 577-583. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743719838777

Sinyor, M., Williams, M., Vincent, M., & Schaffer, A. (2019). What are we aiming for?: Suicide by firearm in the six largest metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada. Crisis, 40(3), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000572

Sinyor, M., Williams, M., Vincent, M., Schaffer, A., Yip, P.S.F., Gunnell, D. (2019). Suicide deaths by gas inhalation in Toronto: An observational study of emerging methods of suicide. Journal of Affective Disorders, 243, 226-231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.017

Sinyor, M., Williams, M., Belo S., Orser, B., Vincent, M., Zarate Jr, C., Castel, S., … Schaffer, A. (2018). Ketamine augmentation for major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation: Preliminary experience in an inpatient psychiatry setting. Journal of Affective Disorders, 241, 103-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.07.073

Williams, M.E., & Frey, B. N. (2017). Salivary cortisol during memory encoding in pregnancy predicts postpartum depressive symptoms: A longitudinal study. Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 39(4), 280-284. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2237-6089-2017-0032

Williams, M.E., Becker, S., McKinnon, M., Wong, Q., Cudney, L. E., Steiner, M., & Frey, B. N. (2015). Emotional memory in pregnant women at risk for postpartum depression. Psychiatry Research, 229(3), 777-783. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2015.08.003

 Presentations

  • OCD Treatment (2021, September). The Major Pillars of OCD Treatment. Turning Point Psychological Services, Thornhill, Ontario.

    ADHD Training Workshop (2019, December). Your Attention Please: Coaching for ADHD. Turning Point Psychological Services, Thornhill, Ontario.

    Lunch N’ Learn Speaker (2019, January). Suicide Prevention: What You Need to Know. Springboard Clinic, Toronto, Ontario.

  • Vincent, M., Zaheer, R., Williams, M., Schaffer, A., Niederkrotenthaler, T., & Sinyor, M. (2019, April). Comparing media coverage of Robin Williams’ suicide to other celebrity suicides. Poster accepted at the 30th World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) 2019 Congress, Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

    Williams, M.E., Tien, H., Schaffer, A., Ellis, J., Cheung, A., Goldstein, B., … Sinyor, M. (2018, May). Hope and borderline-personality disorder as predictors of study drop-out among inpatient youth receiving psychotherapy treatment for an episode of deliberate self-harm. Poster presented at the Society of Biological Psychiatry 73rd Annual Scientific Convention, New York, New York.

    Sinyor, M., Schaffer, A., Williams, M.E., Belo, S., Orser, B., Vincent, M., … Levitt, A. (2017, November). Intravenous ketamine for acute treatment of suicidal ideation in inpatients with major depressive disorder: Feasibility and challenges. Presented by Dr. Sinyor at the 2017 IASR/AFSP International Summit on Suicide Research, Henderson, Nevada.

    Williams, M. E., Taillefer, S., Wigg, K., Rector, N. A., Richter, M. A. (2015, August). Quality of life in hoarding disorder. Poster presented at the International OCD Foundation’s 22nd Annual Conference, Boston, Massachusetts.

    Williams, M. E., Wigg, K., Zai, G., Rector, N. A., Richter, M. A. (2015, May). Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptom presentation in OCD patients with and without a history of major depression. Poster presented at the Society of Biological Psychiatry 70th Annual Scientific Convention, Toronto, Ontario.

    Taillefer, S., Richter, M. A., Chater, C., Melo, A., Williams, M., Rector, N. A., McKay, S. (2014, July). Group cognitive behavioural therapy for hoarding disorder utilizing non-clinician in-home coaches. Presented by Ms. Taillefer at the International OCD Foundation’s 21st Annual Conference, Los Angeles, California.

    Williams, M., Cudney, L. E., Becker, S., McKinnon, M. C., Steiner, M., & Frey, B. N. (2014, May). Emotional memory in pregnant women with and without major depression. Poster presented at the Society of Biological Psychiatry 69th Annual Scientific Convention, New York, New York.

    Williams, M., Cudney, L. E., McKinnon, M. C., Steiner, M., & Frey, B. N. (2013, May). Emotional memory during pregnancy: Does pregnancy affect emotional memory? Poster presented at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) 166th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California.

  • Williams, M. E., & Wong, G. (2020, October). Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder: Mothers’ lived experiences of recovery following counselling (Primary Research). Oral paper presented virtually at the Athabasca University 2020 Graduate Student Research Conference. 

    Williams, M. E., & Wong, G. (2019, October). Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder: Mothers’ lived experiences of recovery following counselling (work in progress). Oral paper presented virtually at the Athabasca University 2019 Graduate Student Research Conference. 

    Williams, M. E., Zaheer, R., Tien, H., Schaffer, A., Ellis, J., Cheung, A., … Sinyor, M. (2019, May). The efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy for suicide prevention in youth hospitalized after deliberate self-harm. Poster presented at the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CACBT) 9th Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec.

    Williams, M. E., Yeates, T., Richter, M. A., Sinyor M. (2018, September). Obsessive-compulsive disorder and suicide: An under-explored phenomenon. Poster presented at the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) 68th Annual Conference, Toronto, Ontario.

    Williams, M. E., Vincent, M., Schaffer, A., Niederkrotenthaler, T., Sinyor, M. (2018, September). The media event of Robin Williams’ suicide: The good, the bad and lessons learned. Poster presented at the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) 68th Annual Conference, Toronto, Ontario.

    Williams, M. E., Tien, H., Schaffer, A., Ellis, J., Cheung, A., Goldstein, B., … Sinyor, M. (2018, September). Hope and borderline-personality disorder as predictors of study drop-out among inpatient youth receiving psychotherapy treatment for an episode of deliberate self-harm. Poster presented at the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) 68th Annual Conference, Toronto, Ontario.

    Williams M. E., Schaffer, A., Niederkrotenthaler, T., Sinyor, M. (2018, September). A pilot study examining suicide-related tweets. Poster presented at the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) 68th Annual Conference, Toronto, Ontario.

    Sinyor, M., Williams, M. E., Vincent, M., Schaffer, A., Yip, P. S., Gunnell, D. (2018, September). Suicide deaths by lethal inhalation in Toronto (1998-2015) as part of symposium Suicide prevention research in Canada: Trends, updates, and innovations. Presented by Dr. Sinyor at the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) 68th Annual Conference, Toronto, Ontario.

    Williams, M., Cudney, L. E., McKinnon, M. C., Steiner, M., & Frey, B. N. (2013, May). Emotional memory during pregnancy: Does pregnancy affect emotional memory? Poster presented at the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 36th Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario.

  • Sinyor, M., Kiss, A., Williams, M., Zaheer, R., Pirkis, J., Heisel, M. J., … Niederkrotenthaler, T. (2019, June). Changes in suicide reporting quality over time in Ontario. Poster presented at the 45th Annual Harvey Stancer Research Day. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.

    Sinyor, M., Williams, M., Niederkrotenthaler, T. (2019, June). Suicide contagion among celebrities? – A cause for concern and potential opportunities for prevention. Poster presented at the 45th Annual Harvey Stancer Research Day. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.

    Mason, G., Sinyor, M., Cheung, A., Williams, M., Williams, A., Ostoich, C. (2018, August). A chart review of the impact of “13 Reasons Why” on suicidal thoughts/behaviours in people presenting to Sunnybrook Psychiatric Emergency Services. Poster presented by Ms. Mason at the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Summer Student Research Program Conference, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario.

    Williams, M. E., Yeates, T., Richter, M.A., Sinyor, M. (2018, June). Obsessive-compulsive disorder and suicide: An underexplored phenomenon. Poster presented at the 44th Annual Harvey Stancer Research Day. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.

    Sinyor, M., Williams, M. E., Vincent, M., Schaffer, A., Yip, P. S., & Gunnell, D. (2018, June). Suicide deaths by lethal inhalation in Toronto (1998-2015). Poster presented at the 44th Annual Harvey Stancer Research Day. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.

    Williams, M.E., Sinyor, M., Schaffer, A., Castel, S., Levitt, A., Belo, S., … Vincent, M. (2017, June). Feasibility of intravenous ketamine vs midazolam for treatment of inpatients with MDD and suicidal ideation. Presented by Dr. Sinyor at the 43rd Annual Harvey Stancer Research Day. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.

    Williams, M. E., Sinyor, M., Tien, H., Schaffer, A., Ellis, J., Cheung, A., … Banfield, J. (2017, June). Hope as a predictor of early response in youth receiving therapy after an admission to hospital for deliberate self-harm. Poster presented at the 43rd Annual Harvey Stancer Research Day. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.

    Williams, M., Cudney, L. E., McKinnon, M. C., Steiner, M., & Frey, B. N. (2013, May). Emotional memory during pregnancy: Does pregnancy affect emotional memory? Poster presented at the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Plenary, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.

    Williams, M., Cudney, L. E., McKinnon, M. C., Steiner, M., & Frey, B. N. (2013, April). Emotional memory during pregnancy: Does pregnancy affect emotional memory? Poster presented at the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences 25th Annual Research Day, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.

    Williams, M., Cudney, L. E., Wong, Q., McKinnon, M. C., Steiner, M., Soares, C. N., & Frey, B. N. (2012, May). Emotional memory in pregnant women at risk for postpartum depression. Poster presented at the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences 24th Annual Research Day, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.

Advanced Clinical Training

  • Exposure and Ritual Prevention (Cognitive Behavior Institute)

  • Prolonged Exposure for PTSD (Cognitive Behavior Institute)

  • 201 Indigenous Awareness Certification (Indigenous Awareness Canada)

  • Practicing via Telemental Health (Person-Centered Tech)

  • Basics of CBT: Essentials I and CBT for anxiety (Beck Institute)

  • Meeting the Needs of Trans and Non-Binary People in 2023 (CACBT)

  • Working with shame in OCD (IOCDF)

  • The Critical Ingredient of OCD Therapy Success: Treatment Preparation & ERP+UA (IOCDF)

  • ACT for depression and anxiety disorders (Psychwire)

  • Integrated CBT treatment for anxiety in clinical practice (CPA)

  • Cognitive Conceptualization Toolkit Course, The Cognitive Model and Cognitive Conceptualization Diagram (Beck institute)

  • Managing Hoarding in the Community workshops II and III (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre)

  • ACT for self-harming and Suicidality (Psychwire)