The Benefits of Neuro/Psychological Evaluation

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The Americans With Disability Act of 1990 dictates to educational institutions that they must provide people who have weaknesses in certain areas of functioning the accommodations that will "level the playing field" for them. This might include extra time on testing, special lighting or testing conditions,  individualized test settings, or other such considerations that help to reduce the obstructions to success caused by these weakness. The evaluation is your starting point (required by every academic institution before they will accommodate). 

Whether you are preparing for the MCATs, LSATs, SATs, GREs, or any other formal testing process...

Or you seek IEP or Plan 504 accommodations for your child...

The psychologist performing the evaluation must plan carefully to meet the requirements of the institution. This can mean using specific psychological tests, or diagnostic criteria, so that the desired outcome is achieved. We work hard to meet the criteria, so that our clients can attain the highest level of accommodation available to them, in accord with their individual needs. 

These academic entry tests, or admission processes, have very tight deadlines. Don't be held back by not meeting the deadlines because of an unresponsive office or evaluation process! We work to help you attain your goals, and understand the need for responsiveness to your concerns. 

From the date of your first call to us, we can usually schedule an intake appointment within one to two weeks. At that appointment, we will schedule your evaluation date, which might involve one full day of testing, or testing spread over 2 or 3 days: it all depends on your personal needs. We will review results of the testing within 2 weeks after that (if your matter is urgent, we shall make it happen sooner), and provide you with the written report. The report contains specified accommodations that will help the applicant.

Quite often, students need to change to a different school, and the new institution has different criteria.

Or, the school gets back to you saying "We want you to add to this evaluation..." We have learned to be flexible and work to meet the changing requirements, otherwise the report is of no use to you. Our job is to listen carefully, and help the student get ahead in the best possible way. 

So many people struggle to understand how and why disability status is necessary.  Attaining this classification does not mean you can never work again. It does, however, provide a safety net for those times when the disability will absolutely prevent your being able to perform to the standards of an employer, or when you can only perform certain parts of the job. It is not in the interests of anyone to have a person who can work sit at home, least of all the applicant! But, at the same time, we would not be a humane society if we did not offer a safety net for those struggling against physical or mental health challenges that make it harder for them than for anyone else. It all starts with an application, which does not take away any options from you, quite the contrary, it will help to greatly clarify your options.

An amazing discovery in the world of mental health, EMDR provides a powerful shortcut to the reduction of reactions to trauma, general anxiety, and fear. But every therapeutic modality is only as good as the therapist using it.  One often hears people say: “I had EMDR and it didn’t work!” What they may not realize is that EMDR is a tool in the hands of its practitioner: it is either done well, or not. Our experience of many years working with trauma allows for more effective use of the modality, in manner that synchronizes with the patient's personality and preferences.

Another amazingly effective tool is clinical hypnotherapy. This may just be the quickest and most dramatic form of relief offered in any mental health clinic, for it works instantly to reduce stress, anxiety and panic, and restore calm to the destabilized emotional and cognitive system. Contrary to popular misperceptions, we do not take away control, or conscious awareness of what is happening from the patient. Also contrary to popular misconceptions, we do not go digging for hidden memories, or reconstruct early memories in life. In fact, ‘travelling back in time’ is a rare use of the treatment modality, and usually not needed, to bring relief and improvement to patients. But we can very effectively facilitate relaxation of the autonomic nervous system, starting a parasympathetic process that can offset the overly activated sympathetic one of past. And we can plant auto-suggestions that continue to soothe and support the person’s better function, for the future. This can also include weaning from drugs or other addictions or dependencies, such as needed for weight loss and to quit smoking. 

Family dynamics can be complex and challenging. Our family counseling services are here to help you navigate through the challenges and build stronger relationships. Clients are often surprised to learn how few sessions are needed to dramatically change the negative dynamics that have built up in a family. We work with families of all sizes and backgrounds to help them communicate better, resolve conflicts, and build stronger bonds.

The longest lasting, and deeper changes can come to us through a strong connection with a caring, competent therapist, and life-changing insights about ourselves and how we tend to get in our own way! For this, there is always the oldest, and most reliable of counseling methods: CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy). This may be what is ultimately needed for you, to change your life experiences and self-image. 

We understand that life can be busy and it's not always easy to make it to in-person therapy sessions. Some clients need this option, because their physical disabilities do not allow for travelling to appointments. Others want to fit a session in, during their busy working day, when they cannot afford time off from work. That's why we offer teletherapy services that allow you to connect with our licensed therapist from the comfort of your own home. Our teletherapy sessions are secure (fully HIPAA compliant), private, and convenient.

It takes a particular combination of therapeutic skills and business experience to guide business executives to the right choices for their businesses or careers. Relationships can get thorny in workplaces, too, much as they do at home! We have the experience needed to implement better communication strategies for a business, to help the busy executives make difficult choices about the management of their business, and to boost productivity and satisfaction in the wokplace.