Psychology & Neuropsychology Services

Adult Neuropsychology Services

Adult Neuropsychology Services provide assessments and treatment recommendations for the following conditions: suspected memory problems; cognitive and emotional effects of various neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease, stroke, epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), brain tumors, and Parkinson's Disease; effects of brain injury; differential diagnosis of suspected dementia in elderly patients; alterations in mental status associated with various medical conditions, attention-deficit disorders, learning and developmental disorders; and various psychiatric conditions.

Pediatric & Adolescent Neuropsychology Services

Pediatric and Adolescent Neuropsychology Services provide consultation and comprehensive evaluations for children between the ages of six and 17 for concerns regarding cognitive, academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and psychological functioning. Specific concerns might involve developmental delay, attention-deficit, hyperactivity, or symptoms of complex neurodevelopmental syndromes.

Rehabilitation/Health Psychology Services

Rehabilitation and Health Psychology Services are available to serve persons with neurologic (including spinal cord injury, stroke, neuromuscular disease, and brain injury), pulmonary, orthopedic, chronic illness, chronic pain conditions, as well as insomnia. Behavioral and psychological interventions are provided to aid the patients and their families in coping with chronic illness and disability.

Rehabilitation/Health Psychology

Addresses issues related to:

• Post-concussion Syndrome (PCS)
• Psychological functioning
• Cognitive functioning
• Adjustment to traumatic injury or impairment
• Development of coping skills
• Family adjustment and coping
• Community reintegration following impairment
• Sexuality
• Insomnia
• Pain

Support Groups

Support groups for individuals with brain injury and spinal cord injury are available. Cognitive-behavioral consultative services are provided for clients, family members, and staff working with individuals with the State of Connecticut Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Medicaid Waiver Program.

Diagnostic Clarification:
Neuropsychological evaluation aids in the differential diagnosis of childhood and adult neurological conditions as well as pseudo-neurological conditions. It also helps determine the course of cerebral dysfunction and to estimate the degree to which psychological factors are involved in the patient's symptoms.

Educational and Rehabilitation Planning:
Neuropsychological test data are used in the planning and development of remedial education or rehabilitation programs for people with neurological and/or behavioral disorders.

Evaluation of Recovery or Treatment:
Through repeated evaluations, neuropsychological data are useful in assessing the recovery of an individual from neurological damage or in determining the effects of pharmacological, surgical, educational or rehabilitation efforts.

Estimating Prognosis:
Neuropsychological testing is frequently helpful in predicting the eventual degree of recovery from neurological injury or disease. The types of tests used depend on the patient's age and the nature of the problem, but frequently include measures of general intelligence, abstract reasoning, language, attention, memory, sensory and perceptual functions, motor skills, academic achievement, and systematic behavioral observations. Measures of personality are often used to determine whether emotional states, such as anxiety or depression, are significant factors in understanding the patient's condition and need to be considered in developing a comprehensive treatment plan. Forensic neuropsychological evaluations are also available (i.e., IME, disability determination, personal injury, competency, criminal matters). The amount of time required for an evaluation depends on the nature of the problem and the patient's condition, but usually varies between four and eight hours.

How Appointments May Be Made

Please call the Department of Psychology directly at 860.827.4751

Our offices are located at:
Hospital for Special Care
Outpatient Services
2150 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT