Neuropsychologist

What is a neuropsychologist?

A neuropsychologist is a mental health professional who studies the relationship between the brain and human behavior.

Their training in neuropsychology provides them with expertise that allows them to understand the complex interactions among different parts of the brain and their impact on a patient's cognition, emotion, behavior, and personality. Neuropsychologists assess neurological and brain functions such as memory, attention, language, visual and spatial perception, planning, and reasoning. They use neuropsychological tests and other assessment tools to identify cognitive deficits in patients, determine their cause, and propose appropriate interventions to improve their quality of life.

At Familio, neuropsychologists work with child and adult clients and collaborate with other health professionals such aspsychologists, psychotherapists and occupational therapists to ensure a comprehensive approach to mental health and social services.  

Finally, it is important to note that neuropsychologists are subject to the code of ethics of theOrder of Psychologists of Quebec that ensures that clients are treated with respect, confidentiality, and integrity. They all hold a certificate for the assessment of neuropsychological disorders. In addition, they are aware of best practices, as promulgated by theQuebec Association of Neuropsychologists (AQNP). Neuropsychologists must also maintain high standards of training to ensure they remain up to date on the latest developments in mental health.

Why seek a neuropsychology consultation?

A neuropsychology consultation is often closely linked to the neuropsychological assessment. The latter is often recommended when there are difficulties in one or more areas of daily life that may be caused by impairments in cognitive functions. It is used, among others, with children presenting anxiety, behavioral disorders, impulsivity, academic difficulties, or cognitive impairments.

It may also be recommended to screen for mental health disorders such asattention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or even in the case ofa neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease. Finally, neuropsychological assessments are also used to screen for theautism spectrum disorder in children and adults.

When should you consult a neuropsychologist?

It is recommended to consult a neuropsychologist if you exhibit symptoms that may be related to brain injury or a neurological disorder, such as problems with memory, attention, language, visual or spatial perception, or changes in mood, behavior, or personality.

Neuropsychologists can also be consulted for learning or developmental problems in children, or to evaluate the cognitive effects of medical treatments.

It is also recommended to consult a neuropsychologist if you wish to obtain a comprehensive assessment of your cognitive functioning for personal or professional reasons. A neuropsychological assessment can be useful to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your cognitive functioning, to better understand your adaptation needs, and to help you develop strategies to improve your cognitive functioning on a daily basis.

Finally, neuropsychologists can also be consulted for prevention issues, in particular to assess cognitive risk factors and propose strategies to maintain cognitive health in the long term.

Are you looking for a neuropsychologist?Contact us to schedule a neuropsychological appointmentin Montreal, Boucherville, or Chicoutimi.