She has received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which form the foundation of her clinical work and therapeutic approach.

Dr. Slivjak has also received expert training in the following evidence-based treatments: Behavioral Activation (BA) for depression; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills; CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I); Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Written Exposure Therapy (WET), and Image Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) for trauma and nightmares; Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD; Motivational Interviewing (MI) and CBT for substance use; and CBT, ACT, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) for chronic pain.

Dr. Slivjak creates a warm, non-judgmental space where she partners with clients to navigate challenges and build more enjoyable and meaningful lives. Her active, skills-based approach draws on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, incorporating mindfulness and acceptance techniques to support lasting change and self-compassion. Dr. Slivjak helps clients set clear goals and develop practical tools to create real, sustainable change beyond the therapy room. 

In her free time, Dr. Slivjak enjoys hiking, yoga, reading novels, and spending time with her family and friends.

Education and Training: 

Dr. Slivjak earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Colorado Boulder. Prior to this, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, magna cum laude, where she majored in History and minored in Psychology. She then worked as a research study specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences for four years.   

During her graduate training, Dr. Slivjak worked as a therapist at several sites, including the University of Colorado Boulder’s Raimy Clinic, Mental Health Partners, the Boulder Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, and the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center. She completed her pre-doctoral internship training at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, where her training focused on treating anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, substance use, chronic pain, and adjustment difficulties in the context of chronic illness (e.g., cancer, spinal cord injury and disorders).

Publications

Slivjak, E. T., Al Majid, F., Wrigley, J., Russell, S., Zielony, L., & Arch, J. J. (2024). Self-compassion and social anxiety: A scoping review. Mindfulness, 15, 2448–2472. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02450-2

Arch, J. J., Slivjak, E. T., Finkelstein, L. B. (2024). A novel intervention to reduce fear of progression and trauma symptoms in advanced cancer using written exposure to worst-case scenarios. (2024). Journal of Palliative Medicine. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0658

Wright, A. A., Poort, H., Tavormina, A., Schmiege, S. J., Matulonis, U. A., Campos, S. M., Liu, J. F., Slivjak, E. T., Gilmour, A. L., Salinger, J. M., Haggerty, A. F., Arch, J. J. (2023). Pilot randomized trial of an acceptance-based telehealth intervention for women with ovarian cancer and PARP inhibitor-related fatigue. Gynecologic Oncology, 177, 165-172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.08.020

Slivjak, E. T., Kirk, A., & Arch, J. J. (2023). The psychophysiology of self-compassion. In Finlay-Jones, A., Bluth, K., Neff, K. (Eds.) Handbook of self-compassion. Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. Springer, Cham.  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22348-8_17

Arch, J. J., Slivjak, E. T., Bright, E. E., Crespi, C. M., Levin, M. E., Genung, S. R., Nealis, M., Albright, K., Mitchell, J. L., Sheth, A. D., Magidson, J. F., & Stanton, A. L. (2022). Leveraging values to promote adherence to endocrine therapy among breast cancer survivors: A mixed-methods investigation. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 25, 122-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.07.002

Slivjak, E. T., Pedersen, E. J., & Arch, J. J. (2022). Evaluating the efficacy of common

humanity-enhanced exposure for socially anxious young adults. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 87:102542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2022.102542

Tuman, M. M., Roberts, K., Corner, G. W., Beard, C., Fadalla, C., Coats, T., Slivjak, E. T., Schofield, E., Lichtenthal, W. G. (2021). Interpretation bias in breast cancer survivors experiencing fear of cancer recurrence. Frontiers in Psychology, 12:682174. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.682174

Slivjak, E. T., Fishbein, J. N., Nealis, M., Schmiege, S. J., & Arch, J. J. (2021). Cancer survivors' perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 and impacts on cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses to the pandemic. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 39(3), 366-384. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2021.1887430

Roberts, K. E., Jankauskaite, G., Slivjak, E. T., Rubin, L., Schachter, S., Stabler, S., … Lichtenthal, W. G. (2020). Bereavement risk screening: A pathway to psychosocial oncology care. Psycho-Oncology, 29(12), 2041-2047. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5526

Arch, J. J., Fishbein, J. N., Ferris, M. C., Mitchell, J. L., Levin, M. E., Slivjak, E. T., … & Kutner, J. S. (2020). Acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy potential of a multi-modal Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention to address psychosocial and advance care planning needs among anxious and depressed adults with metastatic cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 23(10), 1380-1385. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0398

Arch, J. J., Genung, S. R., Ferris, M. C., Kirk, A., Slivjak, E. T., Fishbein, J. N., … Stanton, A. L. (2020). Presence and predictors of anxiety disorder onset following cancer diagnosis among anxious cancer survivors. Supportive Care in Cancer, 28(9), 4425-4433. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05297-0

Lichtenthal, W. G., Catarozoli, C., Masterson, M., Slivjak, E. T., Schofield, E., Roberts, K. E., Neimeyer, R. A., Wiener, L, Prigerson, H. G., Kissane, D. W., Li, Y., & Breitbart, W. (2019). An open trial of meaning-centered grief therapy: Rationale and preliminary evaluation. Palliative & Supportive Care, 17(1), 2-12. doi: 10.1017/S1478951518000925

Masterson, M. P., Slivjak, E. T., Jankauskaite, G., Breitbart, W., Pessin, H., Schofield, E., Holland, J., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2018). Beyond the bucket list: Unfinished business among advanced cancer patients. Psycho-Oncology, 27(11), 2573-2580. doi: 10.1002/pon.4821

Lichtenthal, W. G., Corner, G. W., Slivjak, E. T., Roberts, K. E., Li, Y., Breitbart, W., … Beard, C. (2017). A pilot randomized controlled trial of cognitive bias modification to reduce fear of breast cancer recurrence. Cancer, 123(8), 1424-1433. doi:10.1002/cncr.30478

Lichtenthal, W. G., Napolitano, S., Roberts, K. E., Sweeney, C., & Slivjak, E. T. (2017). Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy. In W. Breitbart (Ed.), Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy in the cancer setting: Finding meaning and hope in the face of suffering (pp. 88-99). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Presentations

Slivjak, E. T., & Arch, J. J. (2023, November 18). Acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a brief, common humanity- and exposure-based group intervention for socially anxious students. In K. Lear (Chair), Cultivating Compassion in the Face of Social Anxiety: Exploring the Role of Self-Compassion Interventions in Promoting Well-being for Socially Anxious Individuals [Symposium presentation]. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 2023 conference, Seattle, WA.

Slivjak, E. T., Martinko, M., Bright, E., Nealis, M., Albright, K., & Arch, J. J. (2021, June 25). A qualitative analysis of breast cancer patients’ responses to a values-based intervention to enhance endocrine therapy adherence. In J. J. Arch (Chair), Leveraging ACT and values to increase treatment adherence in diverse healthcare contexts [Symposium presentation]. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 2021 conference, virtual.

Slivjak, E. T., Fishbein, J. N., Nealis, M., Schmiege, S. J., & Arch, J. J. (2021, March 12). Cancer survivors' perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 and impacts on cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses to the pandemic [Poster presentation]. American Psychosocial Oncology Society 2021 conference, virtual.

Slivjak, E. T., & Arch, J. J. (2020, November 19). Evaluating the acceptability of common humanity enhanced exposure for individuals with social anxiety [Poster presentation]. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 2020 conference, virtual.

Slivjak, E. T., & Arch, J. J. (2020, July 17). Evaluating the efficacy of common humanity enhanced exposure for individuals with social anxiety. In S. Gaynor (Chair), Third wave approaches to anxiety disorder treatment: Outcomes and processes [Symposium presentation]. Association for Contextual Behavioral Science 2020 conference, virtual.

Slivjak, E. T., & Arch, J. J. (2020, April 1). Are estimates of anxiety disorder prevalence in cancer populations accurate? [Poster presentation]. Society of Behavioral Medicine 2020 conference, virtual.

Marziliano, A., Slivjak, E. T., Schofield, E., Breitbart, W., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2018, April 11-14). Effects of Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy for parents bereaved by cancer. In A. Marziliano (Chair), Adaptations of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for parents bereaved by cancer, cancer caregivers, and Latinos with cancer [Symposium presentation]. Society of Behavioral Medicine 2018 conference, New Orleans, LA.

Lichtenthal, W. G., Maciejewski, P., Demirjian, C. C., Roberts, K. E., Slivjak, E. T., Jankauskaite, G., Napolitano, S., Kissane, D., Neimeyer, R., Breitbart, W., & Prigerson, H. G. (2017, July 12-15). Effects of a brief tutorial on accuracy of diagnosing Prolonged Grief Disorder [Oral presentation]. International Conference on Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society 2017 conference, Lisbon, Portugal.

Jankauskaite, G., Roberts, K. E., Slivjak, E. T., Schachter, S. R., Stabler, S., Prigerson, H. G., Breitbart, W., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2017, April 5-8). Support needs of caregivers: The influence of kinship relationship [Poster presentation]. Association for Death Education and Counseling 2017 conference, Portland, OR.

Roberts, K. E., Jankauskaite, G., Slivjak, E. T., Schachter, S. R., Stabler, S., Prigerson, H. G., Breitbart, W., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2017, April 5-8). Using family member feedback to improve bereavement screening [Poster presentation]. Association for Death Education and Counseling 2017 conference, Portland, OR.

Slivjak, E. T., Jankauskaite, G., Roberts, K. E., Napolitano, S., Schofield, E., Marziliano, A., Masterson, M., Panjwani, A., Schwerd, A., Breitbart, W., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2017, April 5-8). The influence of depression in Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy [Poster presentation]. Association for Death Education and Counseling 2017 conference, Portland, OR.

Marziliano, A., Slivjak, E. T., Jankauskaite, G., Catarozoli, C., Wiener, L., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2017, March 15-19). Psychosocial outcomes among parents who discussed emotional concerns with a nurse or oncologist following the loss of their child to cancer [Poster presentation]. American Psychosocial Oncology Society 2017 conference, Orlando, FL.

Slivjak, E. T., Marziliano, A., Jankauskaite, G., Breitbart, W., Wiatrek, D., Sharpe, K., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2017, March 15-19). Evaluating patient preferences for Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy for Breast Cancer Survivors (MCGP-BCS) [Poster presentation]. American Psychosocial Oncology Society 2017 conference, Orlando, FL.

Corner, G. W., Slivjak, E. T., Li, Y., Lacey, S., Tuman, M., DuHamel, K., Blinder, V., Breitbart, W., Beard, C., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2016, October 17-21). A pilot randomized controlled trial of cognitive bias modification to reduce fear of breast cancer recurrence [Oral presentation]. International Psycho Oncology Society 2016 conference, Dublin, Ireland.

Lichtenthal, W. G., Slivjak, E. T., Lacey, S., Schofield, E., Sweeney, C., Roberts, K. E., & Breitbart, W. (2016, June 22-25). Effects of Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy on continuing bonds among parents who lost a child to cancer [Oral presentation]. Society for Psychotherapy Research 2016 conference, Jerusalem, Israel.  

Slivjak, E. T., Jankauskaite, G., Roberts, K. E., Corner, G. W., Schofield, E., Tuman, M., Beard, C., Breitbart, W., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2016, June 13-17). A personalized intervention targeting fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors [Poster presentation]. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Clinical Research Professionals Week, New York, NY.

Jankauskaite, G., Roberts, K. E., Slivjak, E. T., Stabler, S., Schachter, S. R., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2016, April 13-16). Spiritual and religious coping themes in pre-loss and bereavement [Poster presentation]. Association for Death Education and Counseling 2016 conference, Minneapolis, MN.

Roberts, K. E., Jankauskaite, G., Lacey, S., Slivjak, E. T., Schachter, S. R., Stabler, S., Breitbart, W., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2016, April 13-16). Report on family member feedback on a bereavement risk screener [Oral presentation]. Association of Death Education and Counseling 2016 conference, Minneapolis, MN.

Corner, G. W., Slivjak, E. T., Roberts, K. E., Li, Y., Lacey, S., Tuman, M., DuHamel, K. N., Blinder, V. S., Breitbart, W., Beard, C., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2016, March 3-5). Cognitive bias modification for fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors: A pilot randomized controlled trial [Poster presentation]. American Psychosocial Oncology Society 2016 conference, San Diego, CA.

Jankauskaite, G., Slivjak, E. T., Roberts, K. E., Breitbart, W., Wiatrek, D., Sharpe, K., & Lichtenthal, W.G. (2016, March 3-5). Development of a Meaning-Centered Group for Breast Cancer Survivors (MCG-BCS): Focus group findings and feasibility [Poster presentation]. American Psychosocial Oncology Society 2016 conference, San Diego, CA.

Masterson, M., Holland, J., Slivjak, E. T., Jankauskaite, G., Breitbart, W., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2016, March 3-5). Unfinished business among advanced cancer patients [Oral presentation]. American Psychosocial Oncology Society 2016 conference, San Diego, CA.

Slivjak, E. T., Jankauskaite, G., Roberts, K. E., Corner, G. W., Schofield, E., Tuman, M., Beard, C., Breitbart, W., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2016, March 3-5). A personalized intervention targeting fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors [Poster presentation]. American Psychosocial Oncology Society 2016 conference, San Diego, CA.

Lichtenthal, W. G., Sweeney, C., Lacey, S., Roberts, K. E., Slivjak, E. T., & Breitbart, W. (2015, July 17). Delivering bereavement support using telemental health: Preliminary findings from an open trial of Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy delivered through videoconferencing. In W. G. Lichtenthal (Chair), The costs of caring: Grief in the oncology context [Symposium presentation]. International Psycho Oncology Society World Congress of Psycho-Oncology and Psychosocial Academy, Washington, DC. 

Slivjak, E. T., Roberts, K. E., Beard, C., Lacey, S., Breitbart, W., DuHamel, K. N., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2015, July 28 – August 1). The use of stakeholder feedback in the development of a cognitive intervention for fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors [Poster presentation]. World Congress of Psycho-Oncology 2015 conference, Washington, DC.

Roberts, K. E., Lichtenthal, W. G., Sweeney, C., Korbel, P., Slivjak, E. T., Craig, C., Farberov, M., Schachter, S. R., Corner, G. W., & Breitbart, W. (2015, April 8-11). The use of cognitive interviews in grief assessment tool development [Poster presentation]. Association for Death Education and Counseling 2015 conference, San Antonio, TX.