FAQs

A neuropsychological evaluation is a thorough assessment of brain functioning used to diagnose injury and illness. It helps to determine patterns of brain strengths and weaknesses. It is a valuable tool that healthcare providers can use alongside brain scans, such as CT or MRI.

It provides objective data (not opinion).

Neuropsych testing is another name for neuropsychological evaluations. Some people prefer it because it has fewer syllables. Technically, the evaluation includes both neuropsychological testing and a clinical interview.

A neuropsych test helps assess the impact of a disease or other medical condition on daily functioning.

This is different from brain scans, such as CTs and MRIs. These scans can detect various injuries or illnesses. But they cannot show the impact on a person’s functioning.

What’s more, a neuropsychological evaluation can be more sensitive than a scan, detecting injury or disease before it appears on a scan.

A neuropsych test can help diagnose medical conditions that impact the brain and thinking.

The test also tells you how someone is doing compared to others their age. Furthermore, it can assess if factors such as sleep, stress, medication, or depression are impacting daily functioning.

It can also answer questions, such as:

• “Is it safe to continue to take medication independently?”
• “What type of care is needed?”
• “Are there treatments that would be helpful for my symptoms?

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Many people experience memory difficulties during their lives, particularly as they age. A thorough and timely evaluation can be essential to:

• Rule out conditions other than dementia that may have similar symptoms and may be treatable, including depression, chest and urinary tract infections, severe constipation, and vitamin and thyroid deficiencies.
• Give a patient and their family an explanation of the symptoms, reduce uncertainty, and provide guidance on next steps.
• Allow patients to access treatment, information, advice, and support.
• Give patients the information they need to plan for and make arrangements for their future.
• Diagnose the type of dementia, if that is what is causing symptoms. This is important to know because treatment options are different for different forms of dementia.
• Give peace of mind in knowing what to expect.

If you or your loved one is found to have early-stage memory loss, your doctor can guide you through the next steps.

Depending on the cause of memory loss, the next steps may include a combination of medications, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, and preventive measures. Your doctor can explain your options and help you understand what to expect.

Even for those types of dementia for which there is no cure, medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors might help with symptoms like memory loss and confusion, better understanding your condition, and the ability for you and your family to plan for the future.

One advantage of early diagnosis is the opportunity to start planning for the future rather than leaving it to others.

In a psychological assessment, clinical psychologists may assess a patient’s history, intellectual abilities, basic academic skills, and personality type.

Unlike a neuropsychological evaluation, a psychological assessment does not include tests that reliably capture cognitive difficulties in attention, memory, learning, or executive functioning.

At the same time, a neuropsychological evaluation may include some of the same tests as a psychological assessment to help determine between true organic brain issues and mental health issues.

A neuropsychologist is a professional with a doctoral degree in clinical neuropsychology.

Clinical neuropsychology is a specialty in psychology that applies assessment and intervention principles grounded in the scientific study of human behavior as it relates to normal and abnormal functioning of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). This specialty is dedicated to enhancing understanding of brain-behavior relationships and to applying this knowledge to human problems.

Therefore, clinical neuropsychologists specialize in the relationship between the brain and behavior. They partner with patients to address a variety of brain-related issues, including, but not limited to:

• Memory difficulties
• Brain injuries
• Developmental disabilities
• Attention difficulties

Clinical neuropsychologists conduct evaluations specifically designed to assess cognitive and behavioral impairments associated with brain dysfunction.

Doctors often refer patients to a neuropsychologist when they need more information about the cause of a condition and the extent of its impairment.

These conditions might include:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Brain or nervous system infections
• Dementia
• Developmental disorders
• Learning disabilities
• Neurological disorders and diseases
• Parkinson’s disease,
• Seizure disorders
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Vascular disorders

Neuropsychologists also work closely with primary doctors and neurologists.

A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) is a part of the mental health counseling branch of social work and receives a significant degree of training. Social workers attend graduate school in social work, and training typically includes two years of coursework and two to three years of supervised clinical work.

LCSWs must adhere to high ethical and confidentiality standards. They are trained to provide direct therapy in a clinical setting. They can use research-based approaches to treatment and can assess and make clinical evaluations of a client’s mental health, as well as diagnose mental illness.

Clinical psychologists specialize in the assessment and treatment of patients with psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, marital difficulties, occupational issues, poor self-esteem, and stress-related disorders.

They hold a PsyD or PhD in psychology. Psychologists typically receive one of the highest levels of education and training after earning their undergraduate degrees.

Clinical psychologists focus on behaviors and emotions and on conducting therapy.

Psychologists apply scientifically validated procedures to help people develop healthier, more effective habits. A psychologist diagnoses and treats mental disorders, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Psychologists help by using a variety of techniques grounded in the best available research and by considering their clients’ unique values, characteristics, goals, and circumstances.

Although both clinical psychologists and clinical neuropsychologists hold doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) in psychology, neuropsychologists also have advanced training in neuropsychology.

Furthermore, a clinical neuropsychologist is interested in brain functions such as attention, language, and memory. Although they receive much of the same training as clinical psychologists, they primarily focus on evaluation rather than therapy.

In line with the training guidelines from the Houston Conference, a neuropsychologist completes extensive coursework in:

• Neuroanatomy
• Neurological disorders
• Neuroimaging
• Psychopharmacology
• Neuropsychological functioning
• Neuropsychological assessment

They also complete a two-year residency or fellowship in clinical neuropsychology.

Psychiatrists hold a medical degree. They have completed medical school and a psychiatry residency.

They are concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of emotional disorders, such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, severe neuroses, paranoia, and organic brain syndromes.

Psychiatrists typically receive some training in neurology through a rotation and/or coursework. Treatment is in the form of psychotherapy and medication management.

Neuropsychologists and psychiatrists often work together to determine appropriate diagnoses and medication needs for their shared patients.

Psychiatrists traditionally conduct clinical interviews, histories, record reviews, and mental status examinations, which are qualitative, non-standardized, and subjective.

Compared to a psychiatrist, a clinical neuropsychologist typically spends more time evaluating patients, usually four to six hours. Neuropsychologists also have more experience with patients with neurological impairments and are more sensitive to the underlying neurological aspects of the patient’s complaints and symptoms.

Psychiatrists typically do not administer psychological testing because they are not qualified to score and/or interpret such tests. Psychiatrists frequently rely on the results of psychological or neuropsychological testing to arrive at their opinion.

Neurologists are medical school graduates who have completed a three-year residency in the field of neurology. Their focus is on diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system. They work with patients with neurological dysfunctions.

Neurologists use neuroimaging studies (e.g., MRI, CT, SPECT, PET, and EEG) to identify physical changes in the brain, which can help determine a diagnosis.

Neurologists and neuropsychologists often work together to get the most complete and accurate diagnosis for their mutual patients.

Psychotherapy consists of sessions with a highly trained professional to help clients with life’s challenges.

Psychotherapy is more than just talking to someone about your problems. Therapy uses the therapeutic relationship to help people understand why they act and feel the way they do. It also teaches people how to act and react in ways that better align with their personal values and goals.

Working with a therapist can also help patients cope with a variety of short- or long-term mental health issues, such as dealing with a serious illness, relationship issues, substance abuse, job loss, grief, anxiety, and depression.

Many different professionals conduct therapy. Such individuals include:

• Clinical psychologists
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs)
• Psychiatrists,
• Marriage and family therapists
• Psychiatric nurses

These professionals typically work closely with psychologists, psychiatrists, and other doctors to help patients get the treatments and prescriptions they need.

Meet the therapists at NeuroClinic and Assessments.

There are several approaches to psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and other kinds of talk therapy. Many therapists combine elements from several psychotherapy styles to customize a treatment plan for each client.

One key factor in choosing a therapist is whether the provider has expertise in the area where a client needs help. Potential clients should also assess the therapist’s qualifications, including the type of degree held and years of experience.

Probably the most essential factor in choosing a therapist is the level of confidence and comfort you have with that person.