Services

Neuropsychological Assessment

What is a neuropsychological assessment?

Gain knowledge about your cognitive functioning and receive diagnostic information and treatment recommendations.  A neuropsychological evaluation is a thorough assessment of how a brain functions.  An assessment involves a clinical interview and the administration of the tests.  Tests are administered by a neuropsychologist or a trained psychometrist and are typically in a paper and pencil and computerized format.  The tests evaluate functioning in areas such as: intelligence, attention, memory, language, perception, sensorimotor functions, executive functions (such as planning, reasoning, abstraction, problem solving), motivation, mood state, emotion, personality style, and quality of life. The assessment length can range from 4-6 hours depending on the referral questions and testing sessions can be broken down into shorter sessions and scheduled on different days.  The areas addressed in the evaluation are determined by the referral questions (by the referring doctor), client complaint of symptoms, and observations made during the interview and test administration. A feedback session is provided when the testing has been completed to review the results and provide recommendations.

How can I prepare for my assessment?

• Bring a current list of ALL medications and doses.
• Bring any records of previous neurodiagnostic testing (brain scans) and results from any previous neuropsychological evaluation completed at another hospital or clinic.
• It is helpful for a family member or friend to accompany you to provide collateral information.
• Get a good night’s rest before the evaluation.
• Do not consume any alcohol 24 hours prior to the evaluation.
• If taking sleep medication, check with your doctor to see whether it may affect test performance the next day.
• Let the examiner know prior to the testing session if you are experiencing: excessive tiredness, pain, lack of motivation, emotional distress, influence of medication or illicit substances that can impact cognitive functioning, frequent changes in the ability to move.

Cognitive Rehabilitation

Improve your cognitive functioning through rigorous brain training and strategy implementation.  Cognitive rehabilitation therapy is tailored towards your goals of academic achievement, work performance or improving daily functioning.   The first phase of treatment identifies long term goals, current level of functioning, surveys strengths and weaknesses and creates a roadmap of manageable short term goals that can lead to successfully accomplishing your long-term goals.  The second phase of treatment focuses on skill learning, training and application to relevant areas of life.  The last phase of treatment generalizes the learned skills to other areas of life and focuses on maintenance of performance over time.  Everyday cognitive performance can often be impeded by our emotional experience, and skills to increase emotional awareness and regulations skills are also incorporated into therapy.  

Psychotherapy

It is common to undergo significant emotional and behavioral changes that can co-occur or be a result of a neurologic injury.  Dr. Yi specializes in working with clients who may have difficulty participating in traditional psychotherapy due to changes in cognition.  These changes include the ability to verbally communicate, process information, focus, organize thoughts and recall session details.  Therapy is collaborative, focusing on client centered goals.  Dr. Yi tailors and implements cognitive compensatory strategies in order to optimize each client’s ability to not only process emotions and thoughts but help them identify and follow through on ways to improve mood, behavior and coping skills.  Family education and support are also provided as medical issues can place considerable stress on a clients’ support system.