Programs and services

• The Neurocognitive Wellness and Therapy Program

  The Neurocognitive Wellness and Therapy Program encompasses our broader clinical services of neuropsychological evaluation, cognitive rehabilitation and psychotherapy. The goal of this program is to help patients and their family members promote everyday functioning and quality of life.

• Neuropsychological Evaluation

  A neuropsychological evaluation objectively measures changes in thinking abilities, assists with diagnostic clarification, and clarifies patient-specific treatment recommendations. Appointments take 2-5 hours, depending on the referral question, and consists mostly of paper-and-pencil testing of thinking abilities such as attention, language, memory and problem solving. Results are interpreted in the context of each patient’s unique history and current functioning. A comprehensive report is shared with the referring provider, and a feedback appointment is offered to all patients. Recommendations relate to minimizing risk factors (e.g., poor sleep, depression) and maximizing functioning.

  Neuropsychological evaluation can be particularly helpful for individuals with chronic medical conditions that cause cognitive changes that hinder work or academic performance, as evidence of objective impairment can qualify individuals for accommodations and other resources. Neuropsychological evaluation can also assist with determining decision making capacity or the need for family assistance, such as in the context of emerging dementia.

• Cognitive Rehabilitation

  Following completion of a neuropsychological evaluation, many individuals are referred for other services, such as speech or occupational therapy. Other patients may be referred for cognitive rehabilitation services. Our program features a trans-diagnostic, evidence-based approach to cognitive rehabilitation that emphasizes education about mitigating risk factors and implementation of strategies to better compensate for cognitive limitations. This 4-6 session program is geared toward individuals who have some cognitive limitations but are largely independent – it serves to help boost everyday functioning.

• Psychotherapy

  We all know that the brain is complex, but we sometimes forget that it does more than manage thinking. As many as 1 in 2 people with a chronic neurological disorder experiences clinically significant depression or anxiety – that rate is much higher than is seen in the general population. Sometimes those symptoms reflect difficulty adjusting to the disease, sometimes they are a symptom of the disease, and sometimes they are totally unrelated. Medications can help treat those symptoms. Psychotherapy is another important treatment option.

  Psychotherapy helps patients cope with their situation through active problem solving and education on specific strategies. Sessions typically span 45 minutes to an hour and occur on a weekly basis. Evidence-based therapy approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, are used to help patients feel better equipped to handle stressors.