Elizabeth (Price) Conti, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Palliative, Rehabilitaion, and Integrative 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, 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 | Summa Cum Laude, Departmental Honors in Psychology |
| 2009 | Stephen D. Benson ’56 Senior Prize in Psychology |
| 2009 | Phi Beta Kappa, Liberal Arts Honor Society |
| 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. Benzodiazepine use in older adults participating in anxiety research. Poster. 68th Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting. Orlando, Florida, US.
- 2015. Predictors of job satisfaction among direct care nursing home staff. Conference. 68th Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, 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, Ratcliff CG, Chaoul A, Cohen L. The longitudinal effects of faith and meaning on quality of life in US women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Palliative and Support Care, 2026. e-Pub 2026.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Price, Fiske, Edelstein. Efficacy of psychosocial interventions for men over 55: A critical review. Gerontopsych and Geriatric Psych, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- 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.
- 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, Price EC, Gregg J. Suicide in late life. In: Encyclopedia of Geropsychology. Springer, 2015.
- 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.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified June 22, 2026