Elizabeth Conti, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitaion, and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2015 | West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, US, Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy |
| 2011 | West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, US, Clinical Psychology, Master of Arts |
| 2009 | Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, US, Psychology, Sociology, Bachelor of Arts |
Postgraduate Training
| 2015-2017 | Postgraduate Fellow, Health Services Research, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2014-2015 | Pre-Doctoral Psychology Intern, Clinical Psychology, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2016 | Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 2017 - 2025
Instructor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 2015 - 2017
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
REACH Vet Coordinator, Department of Mental Health Care Line, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, 2016 - 2017
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Psychosocial Services Chair, Cancer Committee, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2017 - 2025
Postdoctoral Representative, Leadership Advisory Council, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2016 - 2017
Honors & Awards
| 2025 - Present | SIO 2025 Barrie Cassileth New Investigator Forum, Society of Integrative Oncology |
| 2016 | Military Suicide Research Consortium Travel Award |
| 2014 | WVU Department of Psychology Student Research Fund Award |
| 2013 | Eberly College of Arts and Sciences/Academic Affairs Doctoral Research Award |
| 2011 - 2014 | Arlen G. Louise Stone Swiger Doctoral Fellowship |
| 2011 - 2013 | Eberly College of Arts and Sciences/Academic Affairs Travel Award |
| 2009 | Stephen D. Benson ’56 Senior Prize in Psychology |
| 2009 | Phi Beta Kappa, Liberal Arts Honor Society |
| 2009 | Summa Cum Laude, Departmental Honors in Psychology |
| 2005 - 2009 | John Dickinson Academic Scholarship |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2019. A psycho-oncology perspective on prostate cancer. Invited. Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Psychosocial issues in breast cancer. Invited. Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Breast Cancer Symposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. Psychosocial needs and treatment side effects: Ways to help. Invited. Komen Houston Medical Advisory Council Meeting. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. Psychosocial issues in breast cancer. Invited. Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Breast Cancer Symposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Assessing and addressing suicide risk in primary care. Invited. MEDVAMC Center of Excellence in Primary Care Education. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Suicide prevention for older adults: Treatment and implementation considerations. Invited. Monday Signature Series, MEDVAMC HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Suicide in older adults: Special risk factors and implications for practice. Invited. Baylor College of Medicine Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Sleep. Invited. Aging Mastery Program. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Suicide in older adults: Overview, cognitive risk factors, and prevention. Invited. Noon educational meeting, Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Suicide in older adults: Overview, cognitive risk factors, and prevention. Invited. Neuropsychology Case Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Sleep. Invited. Aging Mastery Program. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Psychotherapy, help-seeking, and suicide risk: A focus on middle-aged and older men. Invited. Monday Signature Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2014. Insomnia: Behavioral strategies. Invited. Department of Family Medicine Didactic Series. Morgantown, West Virginia, US.
- 2012. Assessing suicide risk in older adults. Invited. Department of Family Medicine Didactic Series. Morgantown, West Virginia, US.
- 2012. Lunch and learn: Suicide risk in late life. Invited. Wheeling, WV, US.
- 2010. Behavioral treatment of insomnia and its effect on emotional and physical well-being. Invited. Department of Family Medicine Didactic Series. Morgantown, West Virginia, US.
- 2009. Caring for the caregiver: Recognizing and treating mental health problems in family caregivers. Invited. Department of Family Medicine Didactic Series. Morgantown, WV, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2023. Understanding and preventing older adult suicide. Invited. VISN 6 Geriatric Mental Health Series, US.
- 2018. Managing stress and worry in breast cancer. Invited. South Central Metastatic Breast Cancer Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Suicide risk assessment, as part of panel on suicide epidemiology, risk assessment, and predictability. Invited. Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians & Texas Academy of PsychiatrySpring Provider Continuing Medical Education Program. Austin, TX, US.
- 2016. Suicide prevention in older adults: Engaging a population at risk. Invited. Veterans Mental Health Summit. Houston, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Trial in progress: Evaluation of a meaning-centered psychotherapy group within an integrative medicine clinic. Poster. Society for Integrative Oncology Annual Conference. Boston, Massachusetts, US.
- 2025. Program evaluation of a meaning-centered group psychotherapy within an integrative medicine clinic. Conference. New Investigator Forum, Society for Integrative Medicine Annual Conference. Boston, MA, US.
- 2024. Walking the line: balancing autonomy and safety in an end-of-life journey for a veteran with SUD. Invited. National Mental Health & Suicide Prevention ECHO Series. West Haven, CT, US.
- 2022. Finding meaning in survivorship. Invited. Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Breast Cancer Symposium, US.
- 2022. Understanding and preventing older adult suicide. Invited. Sanford Center for Aging, Nevada Geriatric Education Center (NGEC), US.
- 2020. A Cognitive-Behavioral stress management group for men with urologic cancers: Pre and post-COVID. Conference. Association of VA Hematology/Oncology Annual Meeting, US.
- 2019. Suicide prevention in long-term care facilities. Invited. The Society for Post- Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine “AMDA On-the-Go” Podcast, US.
- 2017. Anxiety and depression in older adults. Invited. 10th Annual Zoonotic Disease/One Health Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression and anxiety. Conference. American Geriatrics Society National Meeting. San Antonio, Texas, US.
- 2017. Collaborative safety planning for older adults. Invited. VA Home-Based Primary Care Mental Health Monthly Call, US.
- 2017. Safety planning for older veterans. Invited. VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Mental Health Rounds, US.
- 2017. Innovations and applications of safety planning in the real world: How to engage clinicians within VA, primary care, and medical settings. Panelist. 50th American Association of Suicidology Annual Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona, US.
- 2016. Resources for safety planning. Invited. VA VISN 19 Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center Short Takes on Suicide Prevention Podcast, US.
- 2016. Collaborative safety planning for older adults. Invited. VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator National Monthly Call, US.
- 2016. Predictors of outcomes for older adults participating in Calmer Life, a culturally tailored intervention for anxiety. Poster. 69th Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting. New Orleans, Louisiana, US.
- 2016. Measuring perceived burdensomeness in younger and older adults using the INQ-15. Poster. 69th Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting. New Orleans, Louisiana, US.
- 2015. Predictors of job satisfaction among direct care nursing home staff. Conference. 68th Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2015. Benzodiazepine use in older adults participating in anxiety research. Poster. 68th Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting. Orlando, Florida, US.
- 2015. Development and factor structure of the Emotion Regulation Strategies Scale. Poster. Association for Psychological Science 27th Annual Conference. New York, NY, US.
- 2014. Psychosocial treatments in men over 55: A critical review. Conference. 67th Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting. Washington, DC, US.
- 2014. Emotion regulation and burnout in direct care nursing home staff. Poster. 67th Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting. Washington, DC, US.
- 2014. Dimensional assessment and categorical diagnosis of mood disorders using the Standard for Clinicians’ Interview in Psychiatry (SCIP). Conference. American Psychiatric Association 167th Annual Meeting. New York, NY, US.
- 2014. The relation between traumatic stress symptoms and suicide risk: Does rural origin play a role?. Poster. 21st Annual National Association for Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns Training Conference. St. Louis, MO, US.
- 2013. Impulsivity and suicidal ideation or attempt in younger and older adults. Conference. 66th Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. Predictors of inappropriate sexual behavior in nursing home residents. Poster. 66th Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. The reliability and validity of the standard for clinicians’ interview in psychiatry (SCIP). Conference. American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2012. Heavy focus on independence moderates the relation between depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior in younger and older adults. Poster. 65th Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2011. Masculine depression scale detects additional symptoms in older men who endorse high masculinity. Poster. 64th Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting. Boston, MA, US.
- 2010. Heavy focus on independence explains depressive symptoms and suicide ideation in rural older adults. Poster. 63rd Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA, US.
International Presentations
- 2025. Life after thyroid cancer: Worry less, sleep more, and feel better. Invited. International Thyroid Cancer Survivor's Conference. Houston, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2017 - 2017 |
| Title: | Collaborative Safety Planning with Older Veterans Training Video |
| Funding Source: | South Central MIRECC Clinical Educator Grant |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2016 - 2016 |
| Title: | Enhanced Safety Planning for Older Veterans |
| Funding Source: | South Central MIRECC Clinical Educator Grant |
| Role: | PI |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Conti EC, Jahn DR, Simons KV, Edinboro LPC, Jacobs ML, Vinson L, Stahl ST, Van Orden KA. Safety Planning to Manage Suicide Risk with Older Adults: Case Examples and Recommendations. Clin Gerontol 43(1):104-109, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31096885.
- Bamonti P, Conti E, Cavanagh C, Gerolimatos L, Gregg J, Goulet C, Pifer M, Edelstein B. Coping, emotion regulation, and burnout among long-term care nursing staff. Journal of Applied Gerontol 38(1):92-111, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 28671027.
- Conti EC, Barrera TL, Amspoker AB, Wilson N, Shrestha S, Wagener P, Armento M, Evans-Hudnall G, Cummings JP, Kunik ME, Stanley MA. Predictors of Outcomes for Older Adults Participating in Calmer Life, a Culturally Tailored Intervention for Anxiety. Clin Gerontol 40(3):172-180, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28452662.
- Thorne, Conti E, Fiske, Scotti. The relation between traumatic stress symptoms and suicide risk: Does rural origin play a role?. Rural Mental Health, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Thorne K, Conti E, Fiske A, Scotti J R. Traumatic stress and suicide risk: The role of rural origin. Journal of Rural Mental Health 41(1):42-53, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Wendell, Ratcliff, Price, Petersen, DiNapoli. Factors associated with high frequency of suicidal ideation in medically ill veterans. Psychiatric Practice, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27648503.
- Aboraya, Nasrallah, El-Missiry, Mansour, Hill, Elswick, Price. The Standard for Clinicians’ Interview in Psychiatry (SCIP): A Clinician-administered tool with categorical, dimensional, and numeric output. Conceptual development, design and description of the SCIP. Clinical Neuroscience 13:31-77, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Conti E, Stanley, Amspoker, Kunik. Sedative-hypnotic use in older adults with generalized anxiety disorder. Inter Aging and Human Dev, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 28019122.
- Price, Gregg, Smith, Fiske. Masculine traits and depressive symptoms in older and younger men and women. American Men’s Health, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26634856.
- Price, Fiske, Edelstein. Efficacy of psychosocial interventions for men over 55: A critical review. Gerontopsych and Geriatric Psych, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Conti E, Price, Fiske. Depressive symptoms and suicide risk in older adults: Value placed on autonomy as a moderator for men but not women. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Aboraya A, El-Missiry A, Barlowe J, Ebrahimian A, Mansour H, Zheng W, Price. The reliability of the Standard for Clinicians’ Interview in Psychiatry (SCIP): A clinician- administered tool with categorical, dimensional and numeric output. Schizophrenia Research, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
Book Chapters
- Conti EC, Kraus-Schuman C, Stanley M. CBT in older adults. In: The Science of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Elsevier, 2017.
- Fiske, A., Smith, M., Price, E. C.. Suicidal behavior. In: APA handbook of clinical geropsychology: Assessment, treatment, and issues of later life. American Psychological Association, 145-172, 2015.
- Fiske A, Price EC, Gregg J. Suicide in late life. In: Encyclopedia of Geropsychology. Springer, 2015.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 12, 2026