Biographical summary
Cynthia O. Townsend, Ph.D., L.P., is a clinical health psychologist specializing in chronic pain and chronic pain rehabilitation. Dr. Townsend's clinical focus includes:
- Functional restoration through intensive, interdisciplinary rehabilitation while minimizing polypharmacy
- Addressing psychological comorbidities in the context of debilitating chronic complex medical conditions
- Delivering cognitive behavioral therapy for management of chronic pain
- Promoting wellness and a holistic approach to empower individuals with chronic pain syndromes, and their family members and supporters
In addition to her clinical activities, Dr. Townsend has been active in interdisciplinary rehabilitation treatment outcome research.
Dr. Townsend is the clinical director of the Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC) program in Arizona.
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2004
ResidentMedical Psychology, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2004
Post Doctoral Fellowship - Primary Rotation-Pain Rehabilitation Center
Minor Rotations-Anxiety Disorders Clinic, Integrated Outpatient Treatment ProgramDepartment of Psychiatry & Psychology
- 2002
Predoctoral Internship - Major Rotations (12-months)- Comprehensive Chronic Pain Management, Primary Care, Health Promotion, Inpatient Consultation-Liaison, Sexual Dysfunction
Minor Rotation-Clinical NeuropsychologyVA Connecticut Healthcare System
- 2002
PhDDepartment of Psychology, Counseling Psychology Program, Virginia Commonwealth University
- 1999
MSDepartment of Psychology, Counseling Psychology Program, Virginia Commonwealth University
- 1996
BACreighton University
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2008
Clinical Health PsychologyAmerican Board of Professional Psychology
Awards and honors
- 2014
Director's Recognition Program Network Star Award - First PlaceVA Midwest Health Care Network
- 2014
Meritorious Award for Contributions to the FieldPain Rehabilitation Special Interest Group, American Pain Society
- 2012
Scientific Poster AwardAmerican Academy of Pain Medicine
- 2011
Scientific Poster AwardAmerican Academy of Pain Medicine
- 2011
Mayo Clinic Leadership Competencies 360 review Mayo Clinic
- 2006
CR-20 - Multidisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation and muscle strength training for fibromyalgia [co-investigator]Mayo Foundation
- 2005
Small Grant Research Award - Longitudinal Study of Smoking Status and Eating Behaviors of Chronic Pain Patients Following Pain RehabilitationDepartment of Psychiatry & Psychology
- 2005
Small Grant Award - Pain Rehabilitation with Opioid Withdrawal: Longitudinal Study of Treatment Outcomes for Chronic Noncancer PainDepartment of Psychiatry & Psychology
- 2004
Scientific Poster AwardAmerican Academy of Pain Medicine
- 2002
Clinical Program of ExcellenceVA Connecticut Healthcare System-Renal Dialysis Team Member
- 1998
Phi Kappa Phi-Graduate Scholar AwardVirginia Commonwealth University
- 1996
Outstanding Scholar AwardDepartment of Psychology, Creighton University
- 1996
Outstanding Service AwardDepartment of Psychology, Creighton University
- 1992
Magna cum LaudeCreighton University
Professional memberships
- 2022
ParticipantRoundtable, eMERGing Leaders, MERG
- 2018
ParticipantFoundation Health Partners at Fairbanks
- 2018
PanelistPain and Addiction Summit, Arizona Department of Health Services
- 2018 - present
ConsultantPain and Addiction Curriculum, Arizona Department of Health Services
- 2018
Invited PanelistOpioid Epidemic, Mayo Clinic Community Breakfast
- 2014 - 2016
Secretary/TreasurerBoard of Directors, American Board of Clinical Health Psychology
- 2012 - 2013
MemberRochester Diversity and Inclusion Council
- 2012 - 2014
ExaminerWritten Practice Sample, American Board of Clinical Health Psychology
- 2012 - 2013
ChairDiversity and Inclusion Council, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology
- 2012 - 2013
MemberAssociation for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
- 2012 - present
Oral Board ExaminerAmerican Board of Clinical Health Psychology
- 2011 - 2013
Diversity LeaderDepartment of Psychiatry & Psychology
- 2010 - 2013
CoordinatorPractice Sample, ABPP Board of Clinical Health Psychology
- 2009 - 2016
Board Member at LargeAmerican Board of Professional Psychology
- 2009 - 2013
Board of DirectorsAmerican Board of Clinical Health Psychology
- 2008 - 2011
Co-ChairAmerican Pain Society Special Interest Group: Pain Rehabilitation Centers
- 2008 - present
MemberAmerican Board of Professional Psychology
- 2008 - present
MemberAmerican Psychological Association
- 2008 - present
MemberAmerican Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM)
- 2006 - 2009
MemberEditorial Board, Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, Mayo Clinic Health Solutions
- 2005 - 2009
Diversity CoordinatorPostdoctoral Psychology Fellowship Training Committee, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology
- 2003 - 2019
MemberAmerican Pain Society
- 1997 - 2004
MemberSociety of Behavioral Medicine
Publications