In 2020, in common vocabulary, the words “neuropsychology” and “neuropsychologist” are becoming increasingly common.
However, few people are able to explain the meaning of these two words.
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Even fewer people know what the work of a neuropsychologist involves, how it differs from that of a psychologist, and when to consult one.
In this guide, I will answer all your questions.
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What is neuropsychology?
Neuropsychology is a discipline that finds its unique place between clinical psychology and neurology. It is both a scientific and clinical discipline. As a science, it studies the relationship between the brain and human behavior, while in its clinical functioning, neuropsychology helps individuals with various neurological disorders. It uses scientific knowledge from psychology and neuroscience.
Neuropsychology also studies brain injuries or lesions that generally cause changes in cognitive, emotional, and psychological processes. These lesions can be caused not only by head injuries but also by several other causes, including neurodegenerative and developmental diseases, among others.
What is the difference between psychology and neuropsychology?
In fact, neuropsychology can be defined as a branch of psychology. But while the latter studies a person’s behaviors and the processes that operate in their mind, neuropsychology studies the link between human actions and their brain.
Neuropsychology is currently developing rapidly, benefiting from new scientific studies of the brain and nervous system. Neuropsychologists study, for example, the role of different brain structures in acquiring new knowledge.
What is a neuropsychologist?
A neuropsychologist is a clinical specialist who examines the relationship between the brain and the patient’s behaviors. The neuropsychologist must possess a solid knowledge of psychology, neuroanatomy, psychopathology, and psychometrics. With the help of special tests (psychometric), they assess the changes that occur when a medical problem affects brain function. Psychometric tests help to better understand the abilities of a person through which they acquire knowledge about their environment (cognitive abilities), their personality, and their behaviors.
What is a psychologist?
A psychologist is a specialist in behavior, emotions, and mental health. Their training allows them to find the best ways to help the patient resolve their psychological difficulties.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a neuropsychologist?
The psychologist specializes in the study of mental processes, human development, and behavior, as well as their anomalies, to help the person consulting to resolve their personal difficulties.
The neuropsychologist studies behavior and psychological, cognitive, and emotional phenomena in relation to the underlying brain anatomophysiology. The neuropsychologist analyzes disturbances in behavior from normal and damaged brain activity.
The work of the neuropsychologist
A neuropsychologist analyzes the patient’s medical record. They assess potential problems through clinical interviews, observations, and questionnaires. Administering psychometric tests is an important part of their work. They interpret the results in reference to the specific situation of each person. A neuropsychologist can offer rehabilitation or stimulation of disrupted cognitive functions to improve the person’s daily life.
The areas of competence of the neuropsychologist
A neuropsychologist is primarily a psychologist specialized in neuropsychology. They must therefore acquire knowledge in various areas of expertise established by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec. The same areas of competence apply to future psychologists and neuropsychologists.
These areas of expertise are as follows:
- Building interpersonal skills
- Assessment
- Intervention
- Research
- Ethics and ethics
- Consultation
- Supervision
The neuropsychologist must also learn specific concepts in the field of cognition and brain function by developing neuropsychology. Specifically, this includes courses in neuroanatomy, neuropathology, physiology, pharmacology, cognitive processes, and psychometrics.
The academic career of a neuropsychologist in Quebec and France
In Quebec:
The university course begins with a general bachelor’s degree in psychology lasting 3 years. The student then moves on to the doctoral program. It is now necessary to hold a doctorate to practice as a psychologist and neuropsychologist in Quebec.
In addition to in-depth theoretical training, the student must complete several long-term internships (2,300 hours), as well as a doctoral thesis.
The diploma indicates whether the training has been oriented towards neuropsychology (e.g., neuropsychology profile).
In France:
To be a neuropsychologist in France (as well as in Switzerland and Belgium), you must follow a university psychology course that grants a degree in neuropsychology (3 years of bachelor’s degree plus 2 years of specialization).
The title of neuropsychologist in Quebec and France
In Quebec:
The title of neuropsychologist is reserved, as is that of psychologist. Only the Ordre des psychologues du Québec can authorize the use of this title.
Once the studies are completed by university students, the neuropsychology student submits their file to the Ordre des psychologues du Québec to obtain the reserved title of psychologist. They then request a certificate of neuropsychologist from the Ordre.
Throughout their career, the neuropsychologist must participate in various training courses to renew their membership in the Ordre des psychologues du Québec each year.
In France:
There is no Ordre des Psychologues in France, and the titles of psychologist and neuropsychologist are not reserved. This means that anyone who believes they can work in this field can do so.
The workplace of the neuropsychologist
In Quebec, there are about 730 neuropsychologists. They work in clinics or privately. Some neuropsychologists work in rehabilitation, teach at universities, or conduct scientific research. They study, for example, normal and pathological aging or develop new assessment tools in neuropsychology.
Public neuropsychologist VS private neuropsychologist
The public neuropsychologist works in hospitals, CLSCs, and rehabilitation centers. They often are part of a team of several health professionals (doctor, nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, social worker).
Most neuropsychologists in the public network work within specific programs or with particular clientele. In Quebec, it is not possible to consult a neuropsychologist directly in a hospital. It is necessary to consult a doctor who can provide a referral to see a neuropsychologist if deemed necessary.
You can contact a private neuropsychologist. Privately, neuropsychologists specialize in certain types of assessments (ADHD, learning disorders, etc.) or conduct psychological expertise for insurance companies or for the court.
To find a specialist privately, consult the referral services of the Association québécoise de neuropsychologues or the Ordre des psychologues du Québec.
What are the rates of a neuropsychologist in 2020?
The fees of private neuropsychologists generally range from $100 to $150 per hour, but they can be higher if it is an expert. Insurance companies often cover these services in the same way as psychology sessions.
When to consult in neuropsychology?
If you have a developmental or neurological disorder, a doctor may advise you to undergo a neuropsychological evaluation. It is recommended in cases of ADHD, dyslexia, dysorthographia, traumatic brain injury, stroke.
Consultation in neuropsychology is necessary if the possibility of a psychiatric illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression is suspected.
In the case of a neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease), a neuropsychological evaluation can also shed light on certain matters.
Neuropsychological evaluation for children
Most neuropsychological evaluations take place in the form of various activities. The tests are adapted to the child’s age and ability level. They often see them as an interesting game.
If the child has difficulty performing certain activities (such as reading for dyslexic children), the neuropsychologist can assess their efforts.
Neuropsychological evaluation in adults
The neuropsychological evaluation takes several hours of work. During the evaluation, the neuropsychologist presents different tests to measure various brain functions:
- Information
- Attention/concentration
- Memory
- Reasoning
- Problem-solving
- Reading
- Writing.
These tests have been administered to hundreds of adults, allowing for comparison of results and calculation of the average for adults of a certain age.
How does a neuropsychological evaluation proceed?
An evaluation begins with an interview with the patient and analysis of the patient’s medical record. For children, the neuropsychologist also studies the school record along with report cards and notes from professionals.
Next, the neuropsychologist moves on to the evaluation itself. It consists of several tests and can take from 2 to 6 hours. The complexity level of the tests varies as does their format.
The neuropsychologist also uses questionnaires that the patient or their surroundings must fill out. For children, parents and teachers often fill out questionnaires.
The next step is the neuropsychologist’s study of the tests. They examine different parameters:
- Execution time
- Number and type of errors
- How the patient proceeded with the tasks.
Then, the neuropsychologist moves on to one of the most important steps of the work: interpreting the tests. They compare the results of their patient to statistics, also taking into account:
- Their own observations
- Factors that may have influenced the results
- Observations from family members and
- Professionals
The results are presented in a detailed written report that is subsequently presented and explained to the patient.
The benefits of a neuropsychological evaluation
In their daily work, a neuropsychologist conducts evaluations and interventions in neuropsychology. The benefits of a neuropsychological evaluation are numerous. It is used for diagnostic accuracy or to determine the causes of various disorders.
It also helps to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the patient and to find ways to correct them.
A neuropsychological evaluation helps to formulate specific recommendations and provide strategies to address the observed difficulties.
A neuropsychological evaluation is also used to establish an intervention or rehabilitation plan.
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