FAQs

How do you become A NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST?

To become a neuropsychologist, you must complete:

  • An undergraduate degree

  • A doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D. or Psy.D.) from a university accredited by the American Psychological Association or Canadian Psychological Association (APA/CPA)

  • An accredited (APA/CPA) 1-year internship

  • A 2-year postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology

  • A psychology license issued by the state where you work and continuing education every year to stay up to date with advances in the field

What is Board Certification?

Certification by the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN) is a voluntary process and the last step in professional credentialing. ABCN is intended to mirror board certification in medicine. It assures the public and the profession that the specialist has successfully completed the education, training, and experience requirements of the specialty including an examination designed to assess the competencies required to provide quality services in clinical neuropsychology. It reflects validation by one’s professional peers of competency in the specialty of clinical neuropsychology, and consumers of neuropsychological services can be assured that the individual with ABCN certification has stood for and passed an examination of their skills and knowledge.

 A list of board-certified clinical neuropsychologists can be found via the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology website.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FOR MY EVALUATION?

All aspects of your evaluation will be conducted by the neuropsychologist and will consist of:

  • A clinical interview with you and, if possible, another person who knows you well such as a family member or close friend to learn about any cognitive, emotional, and/or behavioral changes you may be experiencing and your day-to-day functioning.

  • Neuropsychological testing with the neuropsychologist, one-on-one. This will be comprised of various tasks or activities which measure different areas of cognitive functioning (e.g., learning and memory, attention, working memory, language, processing speed, visuospatial ability, and executive functioning). These activities will be mostly verbal and written; however, some may be on a computer. We will work at your pace and you can take breaks as needed during testing.

  • Family members or friends will be asked to wait in the waiting area while you complete testing. If they are not needed by you during your appointment, they are welcome to leave the office and can be contacted prior to the end of your appointment. They may be asked to complete additional questionnaires.

  • Your evaluation will be individualized to meet your specific goal(s), the referral question, and to accommodate any restrictions you may have (e.g., vision or hearing impairment, limited fine motor skills, fatigue). The clinical interview and testing are usually completed in one visit and the total time for the evaluation usually ranges from 3 to 5 hours.

  • After your evaluation, we will meet for a separate feedback appointment to discuss your results, impressions, and recommendations together. We can meet in person or via a telephone or video call. You are welcome to have your family member or close friend join us for your feedback appointment.

HOW CAN I PREPARE For my Appointment?

  • You will be emailed or mailed forms prior to your appointment. Please bring your completed forms with you on the day of your appointment.

  • Please plan to bring a family member or close friend with you to your appointment to join for the clinical interview (approximately the first hour of your appointment) to provide additional information.

  • Please eat before your appointment, as the evaluation may last between 3 to 5 hours. You are also welcome to bring snacks to your appointment and, if desired, we can break for lunch. There are several dining options available in the nearby area.

  • Please take your prescribed medications, as scheduled. If you are able, please avoid optional medications that may cause drowsiness, such as pain or allergy medications.

what should I bring with me to my appointment

  • Bring a list of your current medications and supplements.

  • If you have completed prior neuropsychological testing, please arrange to have those records sent to our office for review prior to your appointment.

  • Relevant medical records (e.g., recent lab work, neuroimaging results, medical notes from your referring provider). Other records may be requested, with your authorization.

  • Wear or bring any adaptive devices (e.g., reading glasses, hearing aids).