From crisis intervention inside a maximum-security prison to building a national wellness framework for first responders — CFBH's CEO brings a career defined by showing up where the need is greatest.
There is a distinctive type of practitioner who does not wait to be guided; instead, they identify a gap, recognize its impact, and take the initiative to build a solution. Dr. Davena Longshore embodies this approach. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health (CFBH), she leads an organization driven by research that addresses four of the most pressing behavioral health challenges today: first responder wellness, the impact of social media on mental health, intimate partner violence, and gun violence prevention.This month, Dr. Longshore was honored with inclusion in Marquis Who's Who, one of the oldest biographical references in the United States, in recognition of her contributions to civic and social organizations and her leadership in behavioral health. This honor reflects her commitment to tackling some of the most difficult issues in the field throughout her career.Dr. Longshore's journey to leading CFBH was not straightforward; rather, it was comprehensive and multifaceted. Her academic background is impressively broad, including a Ph.D. in clinical forensic psychology, a master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology, another master's in psychology, and a master's in management information systems.Her professional experience includes serving as a crisis responder at a level-four, double-maximum-security prison in California, where the U.S. Department of Justice recognized her crisis intervention work, resulting in no lives lost during her care. Additionally, she has conducted competency-to-stand-trial evaluations for public defenders, provided pro bono neuropsychological services that contributed to the release of a wrongly accused individual, and received acknowledgment from the California State Senate for her dedicated service to the community.
"Her presence is essential and she is here to help others overcome adversity." — Marquis Who's Who, on what drives Dr. Longshore's career
Before joining the Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health (CFBH) as the Director of Psychological Wellness and Research in 2023, Dr. Longshore consistently applied the principle of addressing needs and creating what did not exist in each of her previous roles. This approach is the common thread throughout her career.A Framework Born from NecessityWhen the Department of Justice mandated that law enforcement agencies establish wellness programs—without providing any guidance on implementation—most agencies found themselves without a clear roadmap. Dr. Longshore quickly identified this gap and responded by developing a pioneering mental health and wellness model tailored for law enforcement and first responders. This model has since been adopted by agencies across the United States.The model goes beyond just clinical support; it encompasses the entire framework of first-responder well-being. As a result, it has contributed to measurable reductions in the use of force within the communities served by these agencies. This outcome is not incidental; it reflects the intended results of research-driven behavioral health interventions.What Comes NextDr. Longshore’s vision for CFBH extends beyond its current initiatives. She aims to broaden the foundation's efforts in gun violence prevention, policy development, and support for families affected by intimate partner violence. Additionally, she plans to create social media platforms specifically designed to promote mental health in communities. This last initiative is a direct extension of her published dissertation research on the impact of social media on individuals with borderline personality disorder, effectively bringing her academic work full circle into applied practice.At CFBH, there has always been a belief that research without humanity is merely data. Dr. Longshore has dedicated her career to demonstrating the importance of the second part of that statement—that humanity is not just an additional aspect but the core purpose of the work.
Before joining the Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health (CFBH) as the Director of Psychological Wellness and Research in 2023, Dr. Longshore consistently applied the principle of addressing needs and creating what did not exist in each of her previous roles. This approach is the common thread throughout her career.A Framework Born from NecessityWhen the Department of Justice mandated that law enforcement agencies establish wellness programs—without providing any guidance on implementation—most agencies found themselves without a clear roadmap. Dr. Longshore quickly identified this gap and responded by developing a pioneering mental health and wellness model tailored for law enforcement and first responders. This model has since been adopted by agencies across the United States.The model goes beyond just clinical support; it encompasses the entire framework of first-responder well-being. As a result, it has contributed to measurable reductions in the use of force within the communities served by these agencies. This outcome is not incidental; it reflects the intended results of research-driven behavioral health interventions.What Comes NextDr. Longshore’s vision for CFBH extends beyond its current initiatives. She aims to broaden the foundation's efforts in gun violence prevention, policy development, and support for families affected by intimate partner violence. Additionally, she plans to create social media platforms specifically designed to promote mental health in communities. This last initiative is a direct extension of her published dissertation research on the impact of social media on individuals with borderline personality disorder, effectively bringing her academic work full circle into applied practice.At CFBH, there has always been a belief that research without humanity is merely data. Dr. Longshore has dedicated her career to demonstrating the importance of the second part of that statement—that humanity is not just an additional aspect but the core purpose of the work.
