What is a neuropsychologist?

A neuropsychologist is a healthcare provider who has specialized knowledge of how brain conditions affect your behavior and cognitive skills (how you use your brain). This includes things like your General intellect, Attention and concentration, Executive Functioning, Neurodiversity, Processing speed, Language skills, Learning and memory abilities, Reasoning and problem-solving, Visuospatial abilities, Mood and personality.

There are two main types of neuropsychologists:

• Cognitive neuropsychologists: These professionals conduct research that helps further the field of neuropsychology.
• Clinical neuropsychologists: These experts work directly with people seeking care and other healthcare providers. They perform tests to assess cognitive function and design treatment plans alongside a healthcare team. Clinical neuropsychologists may further specialize in certain age groups, such as pediatrics.

The field of neuropsychology explores the connections between the thoughts and perceptions of the human mind and the brain structures and biological processes that form them. Neuropsychology is a subspecialty of psychology, not of neurology.

A Clinical Psychologist is NOT a Clinical Neuropsychologist.

Why would you see a neuropsychologist?

You would see a neuropsychologist if your healthcare provider (such as your primary care physician or neurologist), therapist, physician’s assistant, insurance company, attorney or psychiatrist referred you for neuropsychological testing. This most often happens when you experience changes to your cognitive functioning, such as new issues with memory, focus, language or personality. The change(s) may be due to certain medical, neurological, psychological or genetic causes. Or you may report symptoms that you have had since childhood or adolescence that are negatively affecting your work or interpersonal relationships.

Neuropsychologists perform task-oriented testing for people of all ages, including infants, children, adolescents and adults. Dr. Fletcher evaluates children ages ten and up, adolescents and adults. He is certified in assessing autism and autism spectrum disorders ages fourteen and up.

Some of the more common conditions neuropsychologists assess include Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Other Neurodivergence, Learning Disorders, Concussion and traumatic brain injury, Epilepsy, Brain cancer, Stroke. Neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease and Movement disorders, like Parkinson’s disease. Also assessed are cognitive problems that can arise from psychiatric and emotional disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder.

What does a neuropsychologist do?

Clinical neuropsychologists perform neuropsychological, psychological and academic testing to help you and your healthcare team understand how the different areas and systems of your brain are working. Correct diagnoses leads to appropriate treatment and accommodations if needed.

For an exam, a clinical neuropsychologist:

1. Gathers relevant information, such as your medical and psychological history and a history of your symptoms.
2. Talks with you, your family members and others close to you to learn about their observations of your cognitive changes.
3. Provides you with tests or tasks to evaluate your various cognitive functions. This could include oral (spoken) questions, written tests, computer tests, handling materials such as blocks, doing puzzles and other tasks.
4. Puts together a detailed report explaining how different aspects of your cognition are functioning, which they’ll share with you and your healthcare team.
5. Provides you with feedback about the tests and helps you understand how your strengths and weaknesses may affect your everyday life.

What is the difference between a neuropsychologist and a psychologist?

The main difference between a neuropsychologist and a psychologist is how they approach aspects of human behavior, and additional training. Psychologists have specialized knowledge of how your life experiences affect your mental and behavioral health. Neuropsychologists typically have the same training as a psychologist with specialized knowledge and training of how biological factors and brain issues affect your behavior and other cognitive functions.

Both typically have a doctorate in Counseling or Clinical Psychology and are licensed by the State in which they practice. In addition to working with psychiatric and emotional problems like psychologist, neuropsychologist also assess and work with individuals with known or suspected neurological conditions. Neuropsychologist also have special education in neurology and complete a two-year fellowship at an accredited hospital and/or medical center. While psychologist are trained to assess psychiatric and personality issues, neuropsychologist also assess cognitive functioning and are able to diagnose neurological, neurodivergent and other conditions.

What is the difference between a neuropsychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrist are medically trained and complete a psychiatric residency following obtaining their degree which is typically a M.D. Neuropsychologist complete a doctorate in psychology, an internship, plus a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at a hospital or medical center. While psychiatry typically work with psychiatrically impaired populations, neuropsychologist work with both psychiatrically and neurologically affected populations.

Clinical assessments with a psychiatrist include a clinical interview, history, and a mental status examination which are qualitative, non-standardized and subjective. Neuropsychologist perform the same clinical assessment with the addition of extensive cognitive testing that is qualitative, standardized and objective neuropsychological and personality tests. Treatment with a psychiatrist consists of psychotherapy, medication and other somatic approaches, while neuropsychologist treat using psychotherapy, cognitive rehabilitation, biofeedback, and environmental and behavioral modifications.

What is the difference between a neuropsychologist and a neurologist?

Neurologist are medically trained and complete a neurology residency following obtaining their degree which is typically an M.D. Neuropsychologist complete a doctorate in psychology, an internship, plus a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at a hospital or medical center. While psychiatry typically work with psychiatrically impaired populations, neuropsychologist work with both psychiatrically and neurologically affected populations.

A neurologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses, treats and manages disorders that affect your nervous system, your brain, spinal cord and nerves. They are experts on the anatomy, function and conditions that affect your nervous system. A neuropsychologist focuses on how brain issues affect behavior and cognitive functions. In addition to diagnosing and treating neurological disorders, neuropsychologists also works with psychiatric populations.

Clinical assessments with a neurologist include a clinical interview, history, and a mental status examination which are qualitative, non-standardized and subjective. Emphasis is typically on basic motor and sensory abilities. Mental status examination is usually brief with little emphasis on psychosocial and psychiatric factors.

Neuropsychologist perform the same clinical assessment with the addition of extensive cognitive testing that is qualitative, standardized and objective neuropsychological and personality tests. Treatment with a neurologist consists of medication and medical diagnostic procedures, while neuropsychologist treat with psychotherapy, cognitive rehabilitation, biofeedback, and environmental and behavioral modifications.