Services

 

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION

A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive diagnositic assessment of a person's cognitive, physical, emotional and behavioral functioning. A neurologist, neurosurgeon, trauma surgeon, primary care physician or other medical doctor or their assistant may request a neuropsychological evaluation as a diagnostic aid to obtain information about a person's brain functioning. A neuropsychological evaluation is often recommended when symptoms or conditions include:

  • Changes in attention, focus, or concentration.
  • A gradual loss of memory or recall that are not consistent with normal aging.
  • Suspected or confirmed changes in thinking or emotions after a traumatic injury to the head or brain.
  • Abrupt or progressive changes in emotions or personality wiithout a clear reason.
  • Non-traumatic medical disorders, such as: strokes, tumors, seizures, multiple sclerosis, encephilitis, meningitis, etc. that affedt thinking, feelings or behavior.
  • Possible signs of abnormal aging or dementia.
  • Complex brain conditions such as concussions from an athletic injury, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, failure in school, etc. 

A neuropsychological assessment consists of three stages: initial consultation, neuropsychological testing, and review of test findings.

  1. The initial consultation is a one hour appointment with the doctor during which information is gathered about a person's concerns or difficulties and medical background and history. A clinical examination is then conducted and the findings are used to determine what specific tests will be used to answer the referring questions from the patient's doctor. A family member is encouraged to attend this appointment to help provide information about the patient. 
  2. Neuropsycholgical testing is based on the patient's concerns as well as those of their referring physician and the information gathered during the initial consultation. It is typically completed in 3-6 hours and may be completed in one-full day or two-half day sessions based on the patient's schedule demands and energy level. All tests are individually administered and designed to provide detailed information about how a person's brain works. Many tests are "hands on" and require assembling, sorting, organizing, etc. A typical evaluation involves assessment of:
    • Intellectual abilities
    • Attention and concentration
    • Learning
    • Memory
    • Higher level reasoning
    • Problem solving
    • Language abilities 
    • Visual-spatial skills
    • Motor functioning
    • Sensory skills 
    • Emotionality and personality functioning 
  3. The review consists of a forty-five minute appointment in which the doctor reviews the diagnostic test results with the patient and/or a family member. This appointment allows an opportunity for further questions and to discuss the implications of the assessment, that includes any onging concerns as well as future directions and recommendations. 

 

INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY

Individual therapy is a form of psychological treatment that helps people improve their ability to cope with difficulties and problems in their lives. In individual therapy a patient meets with the psychologist on an individual basis and the course of therapy is determined based on the individuals' specific needs including coping skills, resolution of interpersonal difficulties, alcohol or substance abuse, emotional discod, etc. Neuropsychology associates is able to provide individual psychotherapy to child, adolescent and adult patients with a variety of concerns and difficulties. 

 

PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS

At times, the use of psychiatric medication can expedite the stabilization or resolution of a psychological difficulty. Psychiatric consultation and the ongoing management of medications for psychological difficulties is available for patients who are in actively involved in treatment at Neuropsychology Associates.

Because psychiatric services are available only on a consulting basis, individuals who are not engaged in ongoing psychological treatment with one of our doctors are not eligible to receive medication through our clinic. Arrangements for psychiatric medicine are made by the your treating psychologist.


BIOFEEDBACK

Biofeedback is a form of therapy and an integrative medical treatment that involves measuring a person's body functions such as blood pressure, heart rate variability, skin temperature, muscle tension, and sweat gland activity, and conveying these physical changes to a patient as they occur. Because physical changes are measured in real-time, information is immediately transferred to the patient who becomes aware of his/her body's responding. In this way, a patient gains control of physical processes about which they were previously unaware. Biofeedback is used at Neuropscholgical Associates to assist patients with pain from cancer, headache, back pain, stress, and anxiety.


TUTORING

Individualized tutoring is available for our patients who have been identified with an academic limitation, a learning disability or an attention deficit disorder. When these difficulties are not addressed, students begin to bring home failing grades, make excuses for not completing homework, and lose interest in school. Poor school performance leads to misbehavior and low self esteem.

Tutoring can help improve educational success by teaching specific learning skills, organization and developing study habits. Tutoring is available in math, reading, writing, study skills, and homework help. While a parent may not have the necessary skills to tutor their own child, intervening early will help ensue a child's educational success.

At Neuropsychology Associates, our tutor is Wendy Gay, a graduate of Radford University, Radford, VA. Individualized learning plans are based on the neuropsychological test findings. Wendy's caring approach helps children build the skills they need to succeed and overcome their learning difficulties.


GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY

Group therapy is a form of psychological treatment that helps people improve their ability to cope with difficulties and problems in their lives. While in individual therapy a patient meets with only the doctor, in group therapy a small select group of patients meet with the doctor who focuses on coping, improving, or resolving interpersonal problems that arise from medical illness or injury.

Extensive research has shown group therapy to be highly effective in helping individuals by recognizing shared experiences, learning new information, and understanding how past experiences impact personality. At Neuropsychology Associates group therapy is available for the treatment of depression, coping with cancer, and neurological illnesses such as memory difficulties, trauma, multiple sclerosis, stroke, etc.