Psychological / Neuropsychological Services

Psychologists

Man discussing problems with a psychologist

  • Psychologists typically provide care in inpatient rehabilitation settings, in outpatient rehabilitation treatment programs, and as an important part of comprehensive long-term follow up care.
  • Psychologists have a Doctorate degree (either Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and complete pre-doctoral and post-doctoral clinical training.
  • Psychologists working with persons having a TBI typically specialize in Rehabilitation Psychology and/or Clinical Neuropsychology.
 

Assessment Services

Assessment services provided by psychologists include:

  • Assessment of psychological factors that can be affected by TBI and that can influence functioning following TBI. They include:
    • Personality
    • Coping
    • Emotional distress
    • Substance use/abuse
    • Social-interpersonal resources
  • Neuropsychological assessment
    • This involves comprehensive testing of cognitive abilities (e.g., memory, attention, language, problem solving).
    • Goals of testing can include:
      • Identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
      • Monitor for changes in functioning (e.g., recovery, treatment benefit) over time.
      • Assist in treatment planning.
      • Aid in determining need for services to promote independent functioning.
      • Help with planning for return to work/school.
      • Assist in capacity determinations.

Intervention Services

Intervention services provided by psychologists include:

  • Psychotherapy/counseling
    • Therapy services offered to persons with TBI and other affected individuals (e.g., family members).
    • Goals of therapy can include:
      • Help with psychological adjustment to changes in functioning caused by the TBI.
      • Identification of specific strategies to manage neurobehavioral changes from TBI (e.g., anger management, impulse control).
      • Assist person with TBI and their family members to adjust to changes in roles that can occur after a TBI (e.g., if parent with TBI now requires help from the child in doing daily activities).
  • Cognitive rehabilitation