Diane M. Novy, Ph.D.
Department of Pain Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine
About Dr. Novy
I am a psychologist who has specialized in pain psychology. For the past 27 years, I have devoted my clinical practice to the treatment of patients with chronic and cancer-related pain. I utilize treatment modalities from behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. My clinical and research interests have included depression and anxiety which often occur in patients with pain. I am also interested in pain outcome research and pain assessment research. I have been involved in the training of pain physicians and pain psychologists throughout my career.
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Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Pain Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1990 | University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA, PHD, Psychology |
| 1984 | Houston Baptist University, Houston, TX, USA, MA, Psychology |
| 1967 | University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA, BS, Education |
Postgraduate Training
| 1989-1990 | Clinical Psychology Internship, Psychology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Houston, TX |
Board Certifications
| 1992 | Texas Board of Examiners of Psychologists |
| 1992 | National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology |
| 1967 | Texas Teacher Certificate |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Professor, Department of Departments of Anesthesiology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 2003 - 2007
Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2003
Associate Professor, Department of Departments of Anesthesiology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 1998 - 2003
Instructor, Department of Department of Psychology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Houston, TX, 1995 - 2002
Assistant Professor, Department of Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 1991 - 1998
Assistant Professor, Department of Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 1990 - 1998
Instructor, Department of Department of Educational Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 1990 - Present
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Council Member (Appointed by Governor Rick Perry), Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2011
Attending Psychologist, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2002 - Present
Board Member (Appointed by Governor Ann Richards) Elected Secretary, Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Houston, TX, 1992 - 2004
Attending Psychologist, The University Center for Pain Medicine and Rehabilitation at Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, 1990 - 2006
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Member, Academic Leadership Development Program Steering Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 2000 - 2000
Member, Memorial Hermann Hospital Committee on Pain, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 2000 - 2000
Member, Multicultural Affairs Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 1997 - 1999
Faculty Evaluator, Faculty Review Committee for First Year Medical Students Research Proposals, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 1997 - 2007
Member, Customer Assessment Team Focus Groups, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 1992 - 1992
Member, Minority Faculty Association Mentor Program, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 1991 - 1995
Member, Hermann Hospital Pastoral Education Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 1991 - 1999
Member, Psychology Residents Training Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 1990 - 1994
Honors & Awards
| 2008 | Distinguished Alumnus Award, The University of Houston College of Education |
| 2001 | Fellowship Director, Academic Leadership Development Program, The University of Texas Health Science Center |
| 1999 | Fellow in Academic Leadership Development Program, The University of Texas Health Science Center |
| 1999 | Nominee for The President's Award for Mentoring Women, The University of Texas Health Science Center |
| 1995 | Dean's Award for Excellence, The University of Texas Health Science Center |
| 1993 | Dean's Award for Excellence In Teaching, The University of Texas Health Science Center |
| 1989 | Graduate Student Research Award, Southwestern Psychological Association |
| 1982 | Psi Chi, Honor Society in Psychology |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Koyyalagunta D, Bruera E, Engle MP, Driver L, Dong W, Demaree C, Novy DM. Compliance with Opioid Therapy: Distinguishing Clinical Characteristics and Demographics among Patients with Cancer Pain. Pain Med 19(7):1469-1477, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29016951.
- Teo I, Novy DM, Chang DW, Cox MG, Fingeret MC. Examining Pain, Body Image, and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Lymphedema Secondary to Breast Cancer. Psychooncology 24(11):1377-83, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25601235.
- Shrestha S, Stanley MA, Wilson NL, Cully JA, Kunik ME, Novy DM, Rhoades HM, Amspoker AB. Predictors of Change in Quality of Life in Older Adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Int Psychogeriatr 27(7):1207-15, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25497362.
- Aigner CJ, Hernandez M, Koyyalagunta L, Novy D. The Association of Presurgery Psychological Symptoms with Postsurgery Pain Among Cancer Patients Receiving Implantable Devices for Pain Management. Support Care Cancer 22(9):2323-8, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25082618.
- Novy DM, Aigner CJ. The Biopsychosocial Model in Cancer Pain. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 8(2):117-23, 2014. PMID: 24690764.
- Calleo JS, Bush AL, Cully JA, Wilson NL, Kraus-Schuman C, Rhoades HM, Novy DM, Masozera N, Williams S, Horsfield M, Kunik ME, Stanley MA. Treating Late-Life Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Primary Care: An Effectiveness Pilot Study. J Nerv Ment Dis 201(5):414-20, 2013. PMID: 23588228.
- Koyyalagunta D, Bruera E, Aigner C, Nusrat H, Driver L, Novy D. Risk Stratification of Opioid Misuse Among Patients with Cancer Pain Using the SOAPP-SF. Pain Med 14(5):667-75, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23631401.
- Boyette-Davis JA, Cata JP, Driver LC, Novy DM, Bruel BM, Mooring DL, Wendelschafer-Crabb G, Kennedy WR, Dougherty PM. Persistent Chemoneuropathy in Patients Receiving the Plant Alkaloids Paclitaxel and Vincristine. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 71(3):619-26, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23228992.
- Novy DM, Lam C, Gritz ER, Hernandez M, Driver LC, Koyyalagunta D. Distinguishing Features of Cancer Patients Who Smoke: Pain, Symptom Burden, and Risk for Opioid Misuse. Journal of Pain 13(11):1058-67, 2012.
- Bush AL, Armento ME, Weiss BJ, Rhoades HM, Novy DM, Wilson NL, Kunik ME, Stanley MA. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in Older Primary Care Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Psychometrics and Outcomes Following Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Psychiatry Res 199(1):24-30, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22503380.
- Roseman AS, Cully JA, Kunik ME, Novy DM, Rhoades HM, Wilson NL, Bush AL, Stanley MA. Treatment Response for Late-Life Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Moving Beyond Symptom-Based Measures. J Nerv Ment Dis 199(10):811-4, 2011. PMID: 21964278.
- Koyyalagunta D, Burton A, Perez Toro M, Driver L, Novy DM. Opioid Abuse in Cancer Pain: Report of Two Cases and Presentation of an Algorithm of Multidisciplinary Care. Pain Physician 14(2150-1149):E361-E371, 2011.
- Paukert AL, Pettit JW, Kunik ME, Wilson N, Novy DM, Rhoades HM, Greisinger AJ, Wehmanen OA, Stanley MA. The Roles of Social Support and Self-efficacy in Physical Health's Impact on Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Adults. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 17(4):387-400, 2010. PMID: 21110074.
- Novy D, Hamid B, Driver L, Koyyalagunta D, Ting J, Perez M, Schneider VF, Phan P, Hernandez M, Burton AW. Preliminary Evaluation of an Educational Model for Promoting Positive Team Attitudes and Functioning Among Pain Medicine Fellows. Pain Med 11(6):841-6, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20456076.
- Caleo J, Stanley MA, Greisinger A, Wehmanen O, Johnson M, Novy D, Wilson, N, Kunik M. Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Older Medical Patients: Diagnostic Recognition, Mental Health Management and Service Utilization. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 16(2):178-85, 2009. PMID: 19152056.
- Stanley MA, Wilson NL, Novy DM, Rhoades HM, Wagener PD, Greisinger AJ, Cully JA, Kunik ME. Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Older Adults in Primary Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 8:1460-7, 2009.
- Novy DM, Ritter LM, McNeill J. A Primer of Ethical Issues Involving Opioid Therapy for Chronic Nonmalignant Pain in a Multidisciplinary Setting. Pain Med 10(2):356-63, 2009. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18823387.
- Weiss B, Calleo J, Rhoades H, Novy D, Kunik M, Lenze E, Stanley MA. The Utility of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale with Older Adults in Primary Care. Depression and Anxiety 26(1):E10-5, 2009.
- Webb SA, Diefenbach G, Wagener P, Novy DM, Kunik M, Rhoades HM, Stanley MA. Comparison of Self-Report Measures for Identifying Late-Life Generalized Anxiety in Primary Care. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 21(4):223-31, 2008. PMID: 19017779.
- Gloster AT, Rhoads HM, Novy DM, Klotsche J, Senior A, Kunik M, Wilson N, Stanley MA. Psychometric Properties of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 in Older Primary Care Patients. Journal of Affective Disorders 110(3):248-59, 2008.
- Driver LC, Novy DM, Bruel BM. Pain Primer for Primary Physicians: Essential Concepts. Texas Medicine:1-16, 2008.
- Senior AC, Kunik ME, Rhodes HM, Novy DM, Wilson NL, Stanley MA. Utility of Telephone Assessments in an Older Adult Population. Psychology and Aging 22(2):392-397, 2007.
- Hirai M, Stanley MA, Novy DM. Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Hispanics: Symptom Characteristics and Prediction of Severity. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment 28:49-56, 2006.
- Simmonds JM, Novy DM, Sandoval R. The Differential Influence of Pain and Fatigue on Physical Performance and Health Status in Ambulatory Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Clinical Journal of Pain 21:200-206, 2005.
- Darilek S, Wicklund C, Novy DM, Scott A, Gambello M, Johnston D, Hecht J. Hereditary Multiple Exostosis (HME) and Pain. Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics 25:369-376, 2005.
- Wetherell JL, Hopko DR, Diefenbach GJ, Averill PM, Beck JG, Graske MG, Gatz M, Novy DM, Stanley MA. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Late-Life Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Who Gets Better?. Behavior Therapy 36:147-156, 2005.
- Novy DM, Berry M, Palmer JL, Mensing C, Wiley J, Bruera E. Somatic Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer-Related and Cancer-Related Pain. Journal of Pain & Symptom Management 29:603-612, 2005.
- Snow AL, O'Malley K, Kunik M, Cody M, Beck C, Ashton CM, Bruera E, Novy DM. A Conceptual Model of Pain Assessment for Non-Communicative Persons with Dementia. Gerontologist 44 (6):807-817, 2004.
- Stanley MA, Beck JG, Novy DM, Averill PM, Swann AC, Diefenbach GJ, Hopko DR. Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Late-Life Generalized Anxiety Disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 71:309-319, 2003.
- Beck JG, Novy DM, Diefenbach GJ, Stanley MA, Averill PA, Swann AC. Differentiating Anxiety and Depression in Older Adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Psychological Assessment 15:184-192, 2003.
- Stanley MA, Diefenbach GJ, Hopko DR, Novy DM, Kunik ME, Wilson N, Wagener P. The Nature of Generalized Anxiety in Older Primary Care Patients: Preliminary Findings. Journal psychopathology Behavioral Assessment 25:273, 2003.
- Hopko DR, Stanley DL, Wetherell JL, Beck JG, Novy DM, Averill PM. Assessing Worry in Older Adults: Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire and Psychometric Properties of an Abbreviated Model. Psychological Assessment 15:173-183, 2003.
- Diefenbach GJ, Hopko DR, Feigon S, Stanley MA, Novy DM, Beck JG, Averill PM. Minor GAD: Characteristics of Subsyndromal GAD in Older Adults. Behaviour Research and Therapy 41:481-487, 2003.
- Lee CE, Simmonds MJ, Novy DM, Jones SC. Functional Self-Efficacy, Perceived Gait Ability and Perceived Exertion in Walking Performance of Individuals With Low Back Pain. Physiotherapy Theory & Practice 18:193-203, 2002.
- Daza P, Novy DM, Stanley MA, Averill PM. DASS-21: Spanish Translation and Validation of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale with a Hispanic Sample. Journal of Psychopathology & Behavioral Assessment 24:195-205, 2002.
- Novy DM, Simmonds MJ, Lee E. Physical Performance Tasks: What Are the Underlying Constructs?. Arch. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 83:44-47, 2002.
- Rintala DH, Novy DM, Garza HM, Young ME, High WM, Chiou-Tan FY. Psychometric Properties of a Spanish Language Version of the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ). Rehabilitation Psychology 47 (2):144-164, 2002.
- Stanley MA, Novy DM, Hopko DR, Beck JG, Averill PM, Swann AC. Measures of Self-Efficacy and Optimism in Older Adults with Generalized Anxiety. Assessment 9:70-81, 2002.
- Novy DM, Price M, Huynh P, Schuetz A. Percutaneous Core Biopsy of the Breast: Correlates of Anxiety. Academic Radiology 8:467-472, 2001.
- Akkerman RL, Stanley MA, Averill PM, Novy DM, Snyder AG, Diefenback GJ. Recruiting Older Adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Journal of Mental Health & Aging 7:385, 2001.
- Ferrell BR, Novy DM, Sullivan M, Banja J, Dubois M, Gitlin M, Hamaty D, Lebovits A, Lipman AG, Lippe PM, Livovich J. Ethical Dilemmas in Pain Management. Journal of Pain 2:171-180, 2001.
- Diefenbach GJ, Stanley MA, Beck JG, Novy DM, Averill PM, Swann AC. Examination of the Hamilton Scales in Assessment of Anxious Older Adults: A Replication and Extension. Journal of Psychopathology Behavioral Assessment 23:117-124, 2001.
- Stanley MA, Novy DM, Bourland SL, Beck JG, Averill PM. Assessing Older Adults with Generalized Anxiety: A Replication and Extension. Behavioral Research & Therapy 39:221-235, 2001.
- Lee CE, Simmonds MJ, Novy DM, Jones SC. A Comparison of Self-Report and Clinician-Measured Physical Function Among Patients with Low Back Pain. Arch. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 82:227-231, 2001.
- Stanley MA, Roberts RE, Bourland SL, Novy DM. Anxiety Disorders Among Older Primary Care Patients. Journal of Clinical Geropsychology 7:105-116, 2001.
- Novy DM, Stanley MA, Averill PM, Daza P. Psychometric Comparability of English and Spanish Language Measures of Anxiety and Related Affective Symptoms. Psychological Assessment 13:347-355, 2001.
- Hopko DR, Bourland SL, Stanley MA, Beck JG, Novy DM. Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Older Adults: Examining the Relation Between Clinician Severity Ratings and Patient Self-Report Measures. Depression & Anxiety 12:217-225, 2000.
- Snyder AG, Stanley MA, Novy DM, Averill PM, Beck JG. Measures of Depression in Older Adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Psychometric Evaluation. Depression & Anxiety 11(3):114-120, 2000. PMID: 10875052.
- Bouland SL, Stanley MA, Snyder AG, Novy DM, Beck JG, Averill PM. Quality of Life in Older Adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Aging & Mental Health 4:315-323, 2000.
- Stanley MA, Breckenridge JK, Snyder AG, Novy DM. Clinician-Rated Measures of Hair Pulling: A Preliminary Psychometric Evaluation. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment 21:157-170, 1999.
- Novy DM, Simmonds MJ, Olson SL, Lee CE, Jones SC. Physical Performance: Differences in Men and Women With and Without Low Back Pain. Arch. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 80:195-198, 1999.
- Lee CE, Simmonds MJ, Novy DM, Walker AL. Relationship Between Self-Report and Performance-Based Physical Function Measures Among Patients with Low Back Pain - A Comparison of Two Patient Populations. Physical Therapy 79:S29, 1999.
- Novy DM, Nelson DV, Gaa A, Blumentritt T, Hetzel RD. The Relationship of Cognitive Processes and Ego Development with Adjustment to Chronic Pain. Psychology, Health & Medicine 3:285-298, 1998.
- Simmonds MJ, Olson SL, Jones SC, Hussein T, Lee CE, Radwan H, Novy DM. Physical Performance Tests: Are They Psychometrically Sound and Clinically Useful for Patients with Low Back Pain?. Spine 23:2412-2421, 1998.
- Novy DM, Nelson DV, Hetzel RD, Squitieri P, Kennington M. Coping with Chronic Pain: Intrinsic and Contextual Sources of Variability. Journal of Behavioral Medicine 21:19-34, 1998.
- Novy DM, Collins HS, Nelson DV, Thomas AG, Wiggins M, Martinez A, Irving GA. Waddell Signs: Distributional Properties and Correlates. Arch. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 79:820-822, 1998.
- Novy DM, Nelson DV. Toward a Broader View of the Evolution of Pain Concepts. Pain Forum 6:65-67, 1997.
- Nelson DV, Novy DM. Self-Report Differentiation of Anxiety and Depression in Chronic Pain. Journal of Personality Assessment 69:392-407, 1997.
- Novy DM, Blumentritt T, Nelson DV, Gaa A. The Washington University Sentence Completion Test: Are the Two Halves Alternate Forms? Are the Female and Male Forms Comparable?. Journal of Personality Assessment 68:616-627, 1997.
- Martinez A, Simmonds MJ, Novy DM. Physiotherapy for Patients with Chronic Pain: An Operant-Behavioral Approach. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 13:97-108, 1997.
- Cuellar I, Novy DM. Ethnic Diversity and Psychology in Transition. Texas Psychologist:10-12, 1996.
- Nelson DV, Novy DM, Kennington M. Ethnic Comparability of the MMPI P-A-I-N Classification System. Journal of Gender, Culture, and Health 1:173-187, 1996.
- Nelson DV, Novy DM, Averill PM, Berry LA. Ethnic Comparability of the MMPI in Pain Patients. Journal of Clinical Psychology 52:485-497, 1996.
- Averill PM, Novy DM, Nelson DV, Berry LA. Correlates of Depression in Chronic Pain Patients. Pain 65:93-100, 1996.
- Novy DM, Nelson DV, Averill PM, Berry LA. Gender Differences in the Expression of Depressive Symptoms Among Chronic Pain Patients. Clinical Journal of Pain 12:23-29, 1996.
- Nelson DV, Kennington M, Novy DM, Squitieri P. Points of Convergence: Psychological Considerations in Implantable Technology. Pain Forum 5:127, 1996.
- Blumentritt T, Novy DM, Gaa JP, Liberman D. The Effects of Maximizing Performance Instruction on the Sentence Completion Test of Ego Development. Journal of Personality Assessment 67:78-89, 1996.
- Nelson DV, Novy DM. Psychological Characteristics of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Versus Myofascial Pain Syndromes. Regional Anesthesia 21:202-208, 1996.
- Nelson DV, Kennington M, Novy DM, Squitieri P. Psychological Selection Criteria for Implantable Spinal Cord Stimulators. Pain Forum 5:93-103, 1996.
- Nelson DV, Kennington M, Novy DM, Squitieri P. Picking Up Where We Left Off: Psychological Considerations in Implantable Technology. Pain Forum 5:121-126, 1996.
- Novy DM, Kopel KF, Swank PR. Psychometrics of Oral Examinations for Psychology Licensure: The Texas Examination as an Example. Professional Psychology 27:415-417, 1996.
Other Articles
- Aigner C, Novy D Easing the Pain of Cancer. Coping with Cancer(November/December 2011):8, 2011.
Book Chapters
- Aigner C, Novy D. Symptom Burden, Pain and the Problems with "Somatization" Diagnosis. In: Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care. 2nd. Taylor & Francis: London, 2014.
- Novy D, Aigner C. Promoting Cultural Competence in Pain Management. In: Curriculum Development, Innovation and Reform. Nova Science: Hauppauge, New York, 2013.
- Novy D. Understanding Chronic Pain. In: PainTamers, 9-26, 2011.
- Novy D, Ritter L. Psychosocial Approach to Pain. In: The MD Anderson Handbook of Psychosocial Oncology. McGraw-Hill, 2009.