Private Neuropsychology Assessment in Devon, Somerset and Cornwall (South West)

Private Neuropsychology Assessment

Private neuropsychological assessment shares many similarities to the work done within the NHS. Private work is often conducted by an experienced psychologist to provide an expert assessment and report that outlines the nature and extent of any genuine cognitive impairment following a neurological event/insult. Often this is in cases of personal injury, but sometimes clinical negligence. Neurological events most relevant to legal work include various types of brain injury (severe/moderate/mild/open/closed/anoxic/diffuse/focal). In recent years post concussion syndrome has caused much debate within neuropsychology and related arenas, as to its validity and suitability for assessment and diagnosis. As the quality of assessments increases through time and experience, the professional concensus is one of better understanding and clearer identification of this syndrome.

More time is spent in private work assessing possible malingering, exaggeration or falsification of symptoms. Treatments are usually recommended following an assessment and report, but are usually carried out by another practioner. Individual psychologists or psychologist consortiums offer private services. Most of these psychologists will work within the NHS and conduct private work part-time or in their spare time. The South West, including Devon, Cornwall and Somerset is a huge geographical area with a restricted number of suitable psychologists available to conduct private neuropsychological assessments.

Demystifying Psychology in Neuro-Rehabilitation: Emotional Support

The following is a presentation to neuro-rehabilitation multi-disciplinary staff explaining the role of the clinical psychologist when supporting patients with emotional distress.

The Core Roles of a Clinical Psychologist
To work as part of the MDT
To conduct cognitive assessments and to make recommendations
To provide emotional support and psychological treatments to patients who require them…. This is the focus of this presentation.

Common Emotional Symptoms in Neuro-Rehabilitation
Anxiety
Panic
Depression and low mood
Low mood
Trauma
Stress

The Need for Addressing Emotional Symptoms
Primary reason is to address the ongoing personal distress of the patient.
However, emotional symptoms are also addressed because they are:
To the detriment of the rehab potential
Have a negative impact upon family and friends
Increase the risk of suicide/harm

What does emotional support really mean?
Different from full-on therapy
Patient needs to be onboard
Timing has to be right
Sometimes the goals is an improvement in mood, sometimes it preserves mood and ‘gets people through’ a difficult spell.

Other Key Factors of the Patient
Personal history
Personality before the event
Style that they were parented in/early experiences
Psychiatric history (previous mental illness)
Relevance of any neurological deficits
Triggers
Level of support from others
Level of personal resilience and coping style
Interests

A Psychologist Basic Tools: Listening Skills
To provide a safe/private place to talk
To clarify what they mean and to summarise
To listen and resist offering too much opinion or direction
To consider that some behaviours may be ‘attempted solutions’ to a problem
To guide the patient in discovering their own solutions

More Advanced Psychological Techniques
Formulation
Behavioural Experiments
Challenging negative thoughts
Relaxation
Identity work
Stress management
Assertiveness work
Empty chair work
Therapeutic letters