Mark Powers is a licensed clinical psychologist serving as the Research Center Director of the Trauma Research Center at Baylor Scott & White Health. He directs the Trauma Research Consortium at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, leading efforts in advancing trauma-related research. Powers specializes in the nature, causes, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. His work emphasizes identifying maintenance factors in PTSD to drive innovations in prevention and treatment. Previously, he held the position of Research Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, contributing to studies on anxiety and trauma. Earlier in his career, Powers was an assistant professor and co-director of the Anxiety Research & Treatment Program at Southern Methodist University, where he focused on clinical interventions for anxiety disorders.

Powers earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2006. He received an M.A. in Psychology from Pepperdine University in 1997 under the mentorship of Joseph Wolpe, M.D., and a B.A. in Psychology from Pepperdine University in 1996, graduating cum laude. His influential research includes the seminal meta-analysis 'A meta-analytic review of prolonged exposure for posttraumatic stress disorder,' published in Clinical Psychology Review in 2010, co-authored with JM Halpern, MP Ferenschak, SJ Gillihan, and EB Foa, which has significantly impacted the field by synthesizing evidence on exposure therapy efficacy. Other notable contributions encompass studies on the effects of Hatha yoga interventions on facets of distress tolerance and mindfulness, treatment of sexual-orientation obsessions, and integrated treatments for PTSD and smoking cessation. Powers' publications demonstrate his expertise in cognitive-behavioral therapies, with ongoing work fostering collaborative research through the Trauma Research Consortium. His efforts continue to shape clinical practices and research directions in trauma psychology.