About us
Gwenn Herman, LCSW, DCSW, founder and clinical director of Pain Connection, created the organization in 1999 following a motor vehicle accident that left her with unrelenting pain.
As a licensed social worker, she was frustrated with the lack of support and treatment available to those suffering. Determined to help bridge that gap in care, she established Pain Connection to provide support groups and resources to help individuals with chronic illness and pain as well as their families.
In 2016, Pain Connection joined forces with U.S. Pain Foundation and has continued to expand its offerings nationwide.
Over the years, Gwenn has become a leading voice in the chronic pain community. She has been featured in various media outlets on the topic of pain, and in 2009, co-authored the book, Making the Invisible Visible: Chronic Pain Manual for Health Care Providers.
In 2018, Gwenn was appointed to the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee, the highest-ranking pain policy oversight committee in the country. She also recently received a grant from the Massage Therapy Foundation to study the effect of massage on the need for pain medications.
Gwenn currently lives in Arizona with her husband, Malcolm, and has a private psychotherapy practice in Tucson.
Our mission
A program of the U.S. Pain Foundation, Pain Connection is dedicated to empowering people with chronic pain to improve their quality of life, decrease their sense of isolation, and take a more active role in their treatment.
Our team
In addition to Gwenn, Pain Connection’s team includes:
Malcolm Herman, JD. Malcolm supports Gwenn in running Pain Connection. At support group leader trainings and speaking events, he helps shed light on the perspective of the caregiver. He also is the director of the National Coalition for Chronic Pain Providers and Professionals, a program of U.S. Pain Foundation.
Cindy Steinberg. Cindy, National Director of Policy and Advocacy for U.S. Pain Foundation, has run a support group in Arlington, MA, for 20 years. She co-leads Pain Connection’s support group leader trainings.
Marty Steinberg, JD. Marty presents at Pain Connection support group leader trainings on the role of the caregiver in conjunction with Malcolm.
Contact us
Pain Connection
6105 E Grant Road
Tucson, Arizona 85712
Email: info@painconnection.org
Phone: 800-910-0664
About U.S. Pain Foundation
The U.S. Pain Foundation is the largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to chronic pain. The mission of U.S. Pain is to empower, educate, connect, and advocate for people living with chronic conditions that cause pain. For more information, visit www.uspainfoundation.org.
Pain Connection in the news
- “Chronic pain and acceptance: Acknowledging your diagnosis is first step in healing,” Daily Herald, Nov. 14, 2020.
- “Support groups for pain,” Practical Pain Management, July 7, 2020.
- “Chronic pain patients affected by opioid crisis,” Arizona Public Media, March 24, 2020.
- Is chronic pain something more people should accept? by Claire Foran in The Outline, published April 4, 2018. Features Gwenn Herman.
- Living with chronic pain by Steve Goldstein in Bethesda Magazine, published May 2, 2016. Features Gwenn Herman.
- Pain Connection and U.S. Pain Foundation Have Joined Together, published in May 2016. Article about U.S. Pain and Pain Connection joining.
- Nonprofit Village announces 2015 Making a Difference Awards by Andrew Metcalf in Bethesda Magazine, published Feb. 3, 2015. Highlights Pain Connection as recipient of award in “small nonprofit” category.
- “Essentials of Healthy Living” Radio Show, by Village Green Apothecary, October 28 2012 (MP3), featuring Gwenn Herman. Download MP3 iTunes
- The Sleep/Pain Connection 07/07/12 Podcast, Dr. Paul Christo, Aches and Gains, featuring Gwenn Herman.
- Docs in Progress filmed a documentary on Pain Connection. View it!
- County Cable Montgomery (CCM) Seniors Today Show Episode #111 – Montgomery County Commission on Aging Public Policy Committee (on Legislation), Pain Connection, and Creative Fitness Zumba classes for seniors. The interview with Gwenn Herman starts at minute 11:00. View Video.
- One Woman’s Answer to Chronic Pain Management: How Therapy and Support Helped the Hurt by Fran Smith, Special to Lifescript, published May 20, 2011
- Pain Connection moves to Rockville’s Nonprofit Village, Gazette.Net, October 14, 2009
- Support groups created to help chronic pain sufferers regain control, by Meghan Tierney, Gazette.Net, Maryland Community Newspapers Online, May 27, 2009
- Potomac group receives grant to battle pain, Gazette.Net, Maryland Community Newspapers Online, February 4, 2009
- Pain Connection Named Recipient of the Healthcare Initiative Foundation, Press Release December 9, 2008.
- American Pain Foundation names September pain awareness month, Gazette.Net, Maryland Community Newspapers Online, Sept. 10, 2008
- Pain sufferers get relief: Potomac woman leads efforts to raise awareness by Erin Donaghue, Gazette.Net, Maryland Community Newspapers Online, Wednesday, July 16, 2008.
- Elusive Battle: Pain — and Skepticism — Still Plague Fibromyalgia Patients by Carolyn Cosmos, The Washington Diplomat, May 2008.
- Pain Connection Emerges from Personal Struggle with Pain Pain Community News, Fall 2007, page 3.
- “Groups help one cope with untreatable pain” by Daniel Groner, published in the Senior Beacon, Washington, D.C. edition, July 2006.
- Stopping The Hurt by January W. Payne, The Washington Post, Tuesday, January 4, 2005.
- Greenbelt support group a salve for sufferers by Laura C. Jackson, Special to The Gazette Sept. 16, 2004
- Chronic pain group starts in Greenbelt The Gazette, June 5, 2003
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Building Your Toolbox & 2020 support group training
Veterans specialized support group in 2021
Additional support for specialized groups in 2021
Support group training in 2021
Online community group (coming soon)
Thank you for recognizing the vital need to support and empower people with chronic pain.