Catherine Powers-James
Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine, Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2012 | The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, US, Clinical Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine, Ph.D |
| 2005 | The University of Texas, Austin, Texas, US, Psychology/Minor Sociology, BA |
Postgraduate Training
| 2012-2013 | Clinical Fellowship, Post-Doctoral Primary Care Psychology Fellow, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2025 | PsyPact |
| 2013 | Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologist |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Instructor, Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2021
Instructor, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2013
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Team Lead for Mind Body Programs, Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2024 - Present
Other Professional Positions
Board Member, Hope to Help Foundation, Palm Coast, FL, 2015 - 2021
Staff Psychologist, The University of TX MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2017
Intern, Clinical Psychology, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, 2011 - 2012
Extern, Psychology, John Peter Smith Hospital, Ft. Worth, Texas, 2010 - 2011
Psychology Extern, The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Ft. Worth, Texas, 2010
Research Assistant, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 2007 - 2012
Psychology Clinic Clinician, The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, 2006 - 2009
Research Assistant, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 2006 - 2010
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, MD Anderson Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2024
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, 26th Supportive and Palliative Care Clinical and Research Symposium Planning Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2024 - Present | Top 20 Posters, Society of Integrative Oncology Annual Meeting |
| 2018 | Exceptional Care in an Ambulatory Setting, Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CGCAHPS) |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. Integrative Medicine and Pain Management. Invited. Pain Department’s Wellness Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. Less Pain, More Zen: Exploring Integrative Medicine Utilization for Pain Management in Oncology Patients. Invited. Palliative Care, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Integrative Medicine program. Invited. MD Anderson Legal Meeting. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. To Be In-Person or Not to Be? Comparing CBT-I Delivery Methods. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Integrative Medicine Modalities for Mind and Body. Invited. Pain Department Wellness Series. Houston, TX, US.
- 2024. Coping Through Connection: A Stress Management Group for Cancer Patients. Invited. Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. From Clinical Practice to Dissemination: Telehealth Delivery of the IM Healthy Group. Invited. Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Lifestyle Change Programs in Integrative Medicine. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Return to Normal, Forever Changed. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. ABCs of Healthy Living in Challenging Times. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Managing Anxiety: Reconnecting after COVID-19. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Return to Normal, Forever Changed. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Stress Management in 2021. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Lifestyle Change in 2020: A Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Modification Program for Cancer Survivors. Invited. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Palliative Care, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Stress Management. Invited. Pediatric Wellness at MD Anderson. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Coping with Social Isolation During Covid-19. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. Post-traumatic stress disorder in cancer survivors. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. Post-traumatic stress disorder in cancer survivors. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Fear of Recurrence. Invited. Cancer180 Young Adult Survivorship Symposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Psychological & Behavioral Counseling. Conference. Integrative Medicine Workshop. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Psychosocial Issues and the Role of Mind-Body Practices in Integrative Oncology as Part of Comprehensive Cancer Care. Conference. Yoga for Health: Integrative Mind-Body Practices in Oncology Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Coping with the fear of recurrence: Living with uncertainty. Conference. Cancer Survivorship Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Integrative Medicine Sampler for the Spine Tumor Patient: "The Mind, Body and Spirit Connection.". Conference. 6th Annual Spine Tumor Patient Education Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Sleep Habit/Stress and Impact on Cancer Occurrence. Conference. Updates in Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. From Cancer to Health: A Stress Management and Coping Intervention. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Coping with the Fear of Recurrence: Living with Uncertainty. Invited. Sugarland Breast Friends Support Group. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Learning to Live the Anti-Cancer Life. Conference. Friends of Integrative Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Coping with the Fear of Recurrence: Living with Uncertainty. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Coping with the Fear of Recurrence: Living with Uncertainty. Conference. Partners in Knowledge News in Cancer. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Treating Insomnia in Cancer Patients with Mind-Body Techniques. Conference. Integrative Medicine Program Journal Club. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Learning to Live the Anti-Cancer Life. Conference. Friends of Integrative Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Oncology Mind-Body Literature Review. Conference. 11th Annual Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Multi-disciplinary Tumor Board. Conference. 11th Annual Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Change and Motivation. Conference. Nurses Integrative Care Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Tai Chi and Qigong at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Conference. 10th Annual Integrative Oncology Training Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Psychosocial Issues in Cancer Care. Conference. 10th Annual Integrative Oncology Training Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Meditation Case Studies. Conference. 10th Annual Integrative Oncology Training Conference. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2021. Motivational Interviewing. Conference. UT Health PM&R Grand Rounds, US.
- 2021. Return to Normal, Forever Changed. Conference. Junior League General Meeting, US.
- 2015. Life after cancer. Conference. Hope to Help Learning Institute. St. Augustine, FL, US.
- 2015. Coping with the Fear of Recurrence: Living with Uncertainty. Conference. Sugarland Breast Friends Support Group. Sugarland, TX, US.
- 2012. Results of utilizing a multi-dimensional sexual health measure for returning Veterans’ sexual health concerns. Poster presented. Conference. Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Eastern & Midcontinent Regions Conference. Bloomington, IN, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Healthy Psychology and Lifestyle Programs. Invited. Integrative Medicine Program Workshop. Houston, TX, US.
- 2025. Life After Thyroid Cancer: Worry Less, Sleep More, and Feel Better. Invited. 28th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. Preventing and Managing Caregiver Burnout. Invited. Survivorship Week MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. Healthy Psychology and Lifestyle Change Programs. Invited. Integrative Medicine Program Virtual Workshop. Houston, TX, US.
- 2024. Healthy Psychology and Lifestyle Change Programs. Invited. Integrative Medicine Program Virtual Workshop. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Management of Pain: Role of Integrative Medicine Interdisciplinary Team. Invited. 26th Supportive & Palliative Care Clinical and Research Symposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Health Psychology and Lifestyle Group Programs. Invited. Integrative Medicine Workshop. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. IM Fit: A Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Modification Program for Cancer Survivors,. Invited. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Palliative Care, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Intensive, Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Modification Program (IM Fit) for Overweight/Obese Cancer Survivors. Conference. Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health, US.
- 2019. The effects of inpatient music therapy on self-reported symptoms at an academic cancer center: a preliminary report. Conference. Supportive Care in Cancer, US.
- 2019. Intensive, Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Modification Program (IM Fit) for Overweight/Obese Cancer Survivors: A Preliminary Report. (Poster),. Conference. American Psychosomatic Society, US.
- 2016. The influence of spirituality and religiosity on the personal use and practice patterns with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): A national survey of US oncologists. Poster presented. Conference. Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2015. Integrative Medicine Sampler for the Spine Tumor Patient: "The Mind, Body and Spirit Connection". Invited. 6th Annual Spine Tumor Patient Education Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. The Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Screen in Spinal Cord Injury. Poster presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2013. Appraisals of Disability: Primary and Secondary Scale and Life Satisfaction. Poster presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2013. Caring for suicidal Veterans with SCI/D. Poster presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2013. Let’s talk about sex: Discussing sexual health with Veterans. Poster presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2013. Appraisals of Disability: Primary and Secondary Scale (ADAPSS) - Normative Data. Poster presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2013. A successful team approach with two Veterans initially refusing vital amputations. Poster presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2013. Ethical issues in pressure wound care of severely non-compliant Veterans. Paper presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2013. Understanding sexual health issues through semi-structured interviews with returning Veterans. Poster presented. Conference. Association of VA Psychologist Leaders Conference. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2013. Prediction of current level of distress: perceived pain and negative affect. Poster presented. Conference. American Pain Society's 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2012. A milieu approach to psychosocial spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Poster presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2012. Implementation of tailored group therapies for spinal cord injury inpatients. Poster presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2012. Managing Potential Treatment Relationship Dysfunctions in Spinal Cord Injury Care. Poster presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2012. Challenges to Professional Boundary Maintenance in Spinal Cord Injury Care. Paper presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2012. Inhibition of negative affect and lifestyle behaviors as predictors of cardiovascular functioning. Poster presented. Conference. Society of Behavioral Medicine Convention. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2012. Suicide risk assessment and prevention procedures in an SCI rehabilitation setting. Paper presented. Conference. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2012. Sexual health issues of OEF/OIF Veterans seeking VHA care. Conference. Association of VA Psychologist Leaders Conference. San Antonio, US.
- 2011. Evolutionary implications of female orgasm from intercourse. Poster presented. Conference. Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. Understanding predictors of female orgasm from intercourse. Poster presented. Conference. Association for Psychological Science. Boston, MA, US.
- 2009. How do perceived intensity and type of emotion affect heart rate? Poster presented. Conference. Association for Psychological Science. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2008. Cardiovascular health: Daily hassles and exercise frequency impact college. Poster session. Conference. Association for Psychological Science. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2008. Intrinsic and extrinsic spirituality and cardiovascular health in college students. Poster presented. Conference. Association for Psychological Science. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2006. Physical activity in sexual health: A review of the literature. Poster presented. Conference. Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR). Philadelphia, PA, US.
International Presentations
- 2024. Lifestyle Modification Program (IM Healthy) for Cancer Survivors: Implementation of a Reimbursable Telehealth Group Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Poster. The International Conference of the Society for Integrative Medicine. Costa Mesa, US.
- 2024. Healing Through Writing Support Group: Real-World Analysis of a Virtual Expressive Writing. Poster. The International Conference of the Society for Integrative Medicine. Costa Mesa, US.
- 2024. Life After Thyroid Cancer: Embracing Your New Normal. Invited. International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference. Houston, US.
- 2019. Intensive, multidiciplinary lifestyle modification program (IM FIT) for overweight/obese cancer survivors: A Preliminary Report. Poster. American Psychosomatic Society. Vancouver, CA.
- 2018. Group yoga effects on cancer patient and caregiver symptom distress: assessment of self-reported symptoms at a comprehensive cancer center. Conference. Mind-body, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research. International Research Congress on Integrative Medicine & Health,, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Powers-James, C, Christie, AJ, Arun, BK, Austin, T, Babiera, G, Basen-Engquist, KM, Carmack, CL, Chaoul, MA, Connelly Newton, L, Haddad, R, Harrison, CA, Leung, CH, Li, Y, Mallaiah, S, Nagarathna, R, Parker, PA, Perkins, GH, Spelman, AR, Sood, AK, Wagner, R, Yang, P, Yeung, SJ, Cohen, L. Lifestyle Program for Breast Cancer Improves Body Composition, Fitness, and Patient-Reported Outcomes. Cancers 18(11), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42279341.
- Christie, AJ, Powers-James, C, Cohen, L, Cusimano, A, Wagner, R, Nelson, M, Narayanan, S, Lopez, G. Lifestyle modification program (IM Healthy) for cancer survivors. Supportive Care in Cancer 33(3), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39912954.
- Schall, SA, Martin, LA, Kernes, JL, Powers-James, C. Humor styles moderate the association between health difficulties and quality of life in individuals diagnosed with a chronic disease. Humor 38(1):117-137, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Brehm, CA, Christie, AJ, Cohen, L, Lilly, SE, Powers-James, C, Lopez, G. Physical Therapy as Part of a Telehealth Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Modification Program (IM FIT). Integrative cancer therapies 23, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39497653.
- Lopez, G, Chaoul, MA, Warneke, C, Christie, AJ, Powers-James, C, Liu, W, Narayanan, S, Delgado Guay, MO, Li, Y, Bruera, E, Cohen, L. Self-administered Meditation Application Intervention for Cancer Patients With Psychosocial Distress. Integrative cancer therapies 22, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36680352.
- Powers-James, C, Christie, AJ, Narayanan, S, Liu, W, Gomez, T, Cohen, L, Lopez, G. Frequencies and predictors of health psychology referrals after integrative oncology consultation. Supportive Care in Cancer 30(8):6963-6972, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35545723.
- Christie AJ, Powers-James C, Narayanan S, Chen M, Eddy C, Gomez T, Crawford K, Cohen L, Lopez G. Multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program (IM-FIT) for cancer survivors: implementation of a reimbursable model in a cancer hospital. Support Care Cancer 29(12):7365-7375, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34050398.
Review Articles
- Powers-James, C, Morse, M, Narayanan, S, Ramondetta, LM, Lopez, G, Wagner, R, Cohen, L. Integrative Oncology Approaches to Reduce Recurrence of Disease and Improve Survival. Current oncology reports 26(2):147-163, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38180690.
Professional Educational Materials
- Moadel-Robblee A, Christie A, Powers-James C. Stress management. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2018.
- Powers-James C, Zuniga, D, Christie, A. Health Psychology during and after cancer care.
Abstracts
- Price, E, Martin, LA, Critelli, JQ, Prazak, M, Purdum M, Powers, C. Gender Differences in Mindfulness Skills and Physical Symptoms in Young Adults. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 45(Suppl B-133), 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Martin, L A, Critelli, J W, Purdum, M, Powers, C, Miranda, V, Prazak, M. Inhibition of Negative Affect and Lifestyle Behaviors as Predictors of Cardiovascular Functioning. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 43(Suppl 1), 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Lee RT, Powers-James C, Alvarez AL, Milbury K, Adan F, Lopez G.. The influence of spirituality and religiosity on the personal use and practice patterns with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): A national survey of US oncologists. Journal of Clinical Oncology.
- Lopez G, Christie A, Powers-James C, Bae Mi Sun, Dibaj SS, Gomez TI, Williams JT, Bruera E.. The Effects of Inpatient Music Therapy on Self-Reported Symptoms at an Academic Cancer Center. Society for Integrative Oncology 16th International Conference.
- Christie, A, Powers-James C, Eddy, C, Gomez, T, Crawford, K, Lopez, G, Cohen, L. Christie A, Powers-James C, Eddy C, Gomez T, Crawford K, Lopez G, Cohen L. Intensive, Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Modification Program (IM Fit) for Overweight/Obese Cancer Survivors: A Preliminary Report. , 2019. Cancer Survivorship Symposium.
Book Chapters
- Lopez, G, Powers-James, C, Cavazos, M. Expressive writing and journaling in integrative oncology, 609-616, 2026.
- Powers-James C, Cavazos, M, Lopez, G. Journaling and Expressive Writing. In: Integrative Oncology.
Web Publications
- Powers-James C. How to practice self-care this holiday season despite the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025.
- Powers-James C. How to support cancer patients during mental health struggles. MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022.
- Powers-James C. Caring for your mental health after a new cancer diagnosis. MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021.
- Powers-James C. Managing social anxiety: How to regain the ground you've lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021.
- Powers-James C. Coping with burnout: 3 steps to get started. MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 24, 2026