What is neuropsychology?

Neuropsychology is a branch of psychology that studies the relationship between the human brain and behavior, cognitive, and emotional processes. Its goal is to study the impairments of cognitive, volitional, and emotional functions in children and adults under conditions of differential brain dysfunction, as well as the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms.

Clinical neuropsychology studies the differential manifestations of mental functioning in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders or neurological conditions caused by brain damage or dysfunction, neuropsychological syndromes and symptoms, and the patterns of mental function impairment.

Who is a clinical neuropsychologist?

A clinical neuropsychologist is a psychologist with a master's or doctoral degree who holds a master's diploma in clinical neuropsychology and has at least 2 years of work experience under intensive supervision. The education of a clinical neuropsychologist is interdisciplinary, encompassing knowledge of psychology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry, contemporary advances in neuropsychology, fundamental theoretical issues, as well as research and practical skills in neuropsychological diagnostics, rehabilitation, and counseling.

Additionally, a clinical neuropsychologist may also be a master's-level clinical psychologist or psychodiagnostician with at least 3 years of work experience under intensive supervision.

What does a neuropsychologist do?

Neuropsychological assessment Uses various psychological and neuropsychological tests to assess brain functioning by examining various aspects of the individual's perception, memory, attention, intelligence, problem-solving, motor skills, language, and speech.
Diagnostics

Evaluates neuropsychological manifestations caused by various neurological conditions: agnosias, aphasias, amnesias, apraxias, and differentiates their syndromes.

Assesses the consequences of traumatic brain injury, dementia, cerebrovascular disorders, or intoxication and performs differential diagnosis.

Evaluates various conditions during neurodevelopmental disorders and performs their differential diagnosis: autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, language and speech development disorders and their residual consequences, and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders caused by various genetic conditions.

Rehabilitation and counseling Helps individuals with mental functioning difficulties caused by various neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions by developing a tailored, systematic, and comprehensive neuropsychological rehabilitation program, and provides psychological support and counseling to their families.

A neuropsychologist provides neuropsychological rehabilitation and counsels family members for children and adults with the following conditions:

  • Traumatic brain injuries;
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders;
  • Neurodegenerative disorders;
  • Stroke and cerebrovascular damage;
  • Epileptic syndromes;
  • Post-neurosurgical conditions;
  • Genetic conditions.