Neuropsychology

What is neuropsychology?

Clinical neuropsychology evaluates and treats the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes that may occur due to brain injury. Neuropsychologists consider how multiple factors contribute to a person’s current presentation. These factors include education, personality, and health history amongst other things.

The results of a neuropsychological evaluation can be used to:

  • Plan treatment
  • Assist in making diagnoses
  • Establish a baseline from which future performance can be measured

What does a typical session look like?

The length of a neuropsychological exam depends on why you were referred for the evaluation. During the assessment, you will complete a variety of tasks with the neuropsychologist.

The areas examined may include:

  • General intellect
  • Learning and Memory
  • Language
  • Visuospatial skills (how you perceive the world visually)
  • Attention and Concentration
  • Executive Functioning skills (problem solving, organization, etc.)
  • Motor and Sensory skills
  • Mood and Personality

Your performance on standardized tests will be compared to other people who are similar to you. This allows us to determine your individual strengths and weaknesses.

If you are meeting with the neuropsychologist for psychotherapy, you will meet for an hour about once a week. Treatment issues may include depression, anxiety, pain issues, adjustment to injury and/or disability, etc.

What kind of training does a neuropsychologist have?

A neuropsychologist must have a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited university training program. As part of their training they complete a one-year clinical internship in psychology. A neuropsychologist must then complete a full-time, two-year, postdoctoral fellowship under the supervision of a clinical neuropsychologist. Neuropsychologists are required to pass a licensing exam so that they can practice psychology independently.

References:

  1. NAN Definition of a Clinical Neuropsychologist 2001. https://www.nanonline.org/docs/PAIC/PDFs/NANPositionDefNeuro.pdf. Accessed July 15, 2014.
  2. Clinical Neuropsychology – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.theaacn.org/userdocuments/adult_neuropsychology_handout.pdf. Accessed July 15, 2014.