The brain is the seat of all thinking, learning, memory, processing, and language. It is also the epicenter of all emotional experience and consciousness. It should come as no surprise that conditions that affect cognitive aspects of the brain may also impact an individual's emotional functioning. When an individual's cognitive and/or emotional functions are negatively impacted, the result can be devastating.  A child's life trajectory is established during the early years - any negative force that disrupts the educational process or emotional development can have lasting effects. For adults, declines negatively impact careers, relationships, and general life plans.

Modern technology has revolutionized medicine over the past 30 years. From brain imaging techniques to genetic testing - impressive strides have been made that will continue to provide increasingly sophisticated ways of treating clients. However, despite these advances, the most effective method for assessing cognitive and emotional functioning is a neuropsychological examination. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can take pictures of the brain, but these pictures lack information about the actual functioning of the brain. Can you tell from a picture how well a car runs? You can definitely see if there are dents and dings, and may be able to take a look at the motor. But, just looking at a picture will not provide information about how the car runs. Neuropsychologists are far more interested in understanding how the brain functions than what it looks like.     

Neuropsychology is a subspecialty of clinical psychology that focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of cognitive and emotional disorders. Physicians, educators, mental health professionals, and attorneys refer their clients for neuropsychological exams when there is a question about the functioning of the brain.  

For younger clients, the concerns often emerge as barriers to learning or problems in educational settings. There is a compelling body of research that suggests individuals who are undiagnosed and untreated are at a higher risk for substance abuse, trouble with the law, relationship instability, mood disorders, and generally struggling to meet their potential. Children and adolescents may also develop cognitive difficulties secondary to brain tumors, genetic or medical conditions, seizures, head injuries, and infections. 

Among adult and geriatric clients, concerns that precipitate a neuropsychological evaluation are often related to what is called acquired conditions, such as brain injuries, strokes, heart attacks, seizures, tumors, neurodegenerative medical conditions, mood disorders, and dementia.

Using paper and pencil, game-like, tests, a neuropsychologist is able to quantify the various strengths and weaknesses of your brain. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses!  If there is a problem, the neuropsychologist will identify the problem, provide you with information about the likely cause of the problem, and offer possible treatments/solutions for dealing with the problem.

After you've been referred for a neuropsychological examination, the next step is to call our office to set up an appointment. We will always do our best to respond to your inquiries in a timely fashion. We do have high volume times/days of the week, and so it may be a several days before we return your call. Once you have been scheduled, you will receive a Background History Questionnaire in the mail. Please complete this form prior to your appointment. Also, bring to your appointment your insurance cards, glasses, hearing aids, and other assistive devices.

The needs of each patient are unique, and so our providers will use the information provided by your physician together with the details you share during the clinical interview to craft a testing protocol designed to effectively assess and describe the way your brain functions.

Providers at Clarus Health Alliance are committed to providing you or your family member with the highest level of care in a thoughtful and compassionate way. An important part of patient care is taking the time to explain the test results to you and answer any questions that you may have.

Clarus Health Alliance is an insurance friendly practice that makes every effort to work with you and your insurance company to get the maximum coverage for services. Our doctors are participating providers for a number of insurance companies.

Insurance companies are not obligated to provide in-network coverage or out-of-network benefits for all conditions. Specifically, your health insurance will not cover services related to learning-based issues, educational accommodations, or legal questions. Some insurance carriers provide benefits for ADHD/ADD testing. Our office will discuss expected insurance coverage and estimated cost before services are rendered.

When services are not covered by insurance, we will make private payment arrangements. Please direct any questions regarding our payment policy to our office manager.