Neuropsychological assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of how your brain functions. It involves standardized tests and procedures to measure a wide range of cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, language, problem-solving, processing speed, and executive functions. These abilities are closely related to different areas of the brain and can be affected by neurological, medical, or psychiatric conditions.
The goal of the assessment is to understand your unique cognitive strengths and weaknesses, provide diagnostic clarification, and offer practical recommendations to support your daily functioning, or treatment planning. It is especially useful for identifying the effects of brain injury, stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions that may impact thinking or behavior.
[TOP]
MRI and CT scans provide images of the brain’s physical structure. They can show if there are tumors, strokes, brain injuries, or other visible changes in the brain. These scans are helpful for identifying where a problem might be in the brain.
In contrast, a neuropsychological assessment measures how the brain is working. It evaluates thinking skills like memory, attention, language, and problem-solving using standardized tests. Even if an MRI or CT scan looks normal, a person might still have cognitive difficulties—and that’s where neuropsychological testing can help. It provides a more detailed picture of brain function and how it affects daily life, which is especially important for diagnosis, treatment planning, or tracking changes over time.
[TOP]
At Vision Neuropsychology & Psychology Services, we specialize in working with adults who have experienced acquired brain conditions, particularly those related to neurological or neurodegenerative disorders. Common conditions we evaluate include:
We also assess cognitive and emotional changes associated with complex medical conditions, long COVID, or psychiatric concerns when there’s a question of brain-behavior involvement. Our goal is to help clarify diagnoses, guide treatment planning, and support patients and families in understanding and adapting to cognitive and functional changes.
[TOP]
A referral is highly recommended, but not always required, to schedule an appointment at Vision Neuropsychology & Psychology Services. Referrals from a physician, neurologist, or other healthcare provider help ensure that the evaluation is appropriate for your needs and that we have the necessary medical context to provide the most accurate and helpful assessment.
That said, if you are planning to pay out of pocket, you may contact us directly without a referral. Please note that some insurance plans—especially HMOs, PPOs, or Medicare Advantage plans—may require a referral or prior authorization in order to cover services.
If you’re unsure whether a referral is needed, feel free to contact our office and we’ll be happy to assist you.
[TOP]
To request an appointment at Vision Neuropsychology & Psychology Services, you can visit our Contact page and enter your email address. You will then receive a secure message with instructions for the next steps, including how to provide basic information and verify whether a referral is needed.
You may also call us directly at 949-526-9504. If we are unavailable, please leave a confidential voicemail, and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Please note that we do not schedule appointments by unsecure email or text to protect your privacy.
[TOP]
A neuropsychological evaluation is a structured process that helps us understand how your brain is functioning. It typically includes the following steps:
Most neuropsychological assessments at Vision Neuropsychology & Psychology Services take about three hours to complete. The length may vary slightly depending on the referral question and your individual needs.
We understand that this process can be mentally tiring, so we build in time for breaks as needed to ensure your comfort throughout the session. In some cases, additional time may be scheduled if the evaluation requires more extensive testing or accommodations.
After the assessment, a separate feedback session is typically scheduled 1 to 2 weeks later, usually via telehealth, and lasts about 45 to 60 minutes. During this appointment, we will review your results, discuss diagnostic impressions, and go over personalized recommendations.
[TOP]
To help you get the most accurate and useful results from your neuropsychological assessment, we recommend the following:
If you’re feeling unwell or overly tired on the day of the appointment, please contact us to reschedule. Testing is most useful when you're functioning as close to your typical baseline as possible.
[TOP]
You will not receive full results immediately after the testing appointment. Neuropsychological assessment involves detailed scoring, interpretation, and integration of test results with your history and medical information. This process takes time to ensure accuracy and provide meaningful recommendations.
Once the evaluation is complete, we will schedule a feedback session—usually 1 to 2 weeks later—where we will review your results together. During this session (typically conducted via telehealth), you will receive a clear explanation of the findings, diagnostic impressions (if applicable), and personalized recommendations.
{TOP]
Yes — we are happy to share your results with your physician or other members of your healthcare team. A comprehensive weitten report will be sent to your referring physician.
Neuropsychological assessments are often used to help guide medical treatment and care planning. We can send a copy of the report directly to your referring provider and any other healthcare professionals you designate. We can also discuss key findings with your provider if needed.
Your privacy is important to us. We will only release information to others with your explicit authorization, except as required by law.
[TOP]
In addition to comprehensive neuropsychological assessments, Vision Neuropsychology & Psychology Services also offers psychotherapy services for adults.
Our therapy services are especially well-suited for individuals adjusting to neurological or neurodegenerative conditions, coping with changes in thinking or functioning, or managing the emotional impact of medical illness. We also provide therapy for general concerns such as anxiety, depression, and life stress.
If you are unsure whether therapy or evaluation would be most helpful for your situation, we are happy to discuss options with you.
Please note: In most cases, we do not provide ongoing therapy to individuals we have evaluated for neuropsychological assessment. This is to maintain clinical objectivity in case future re-evaluation is needed. Similarly, we do not typically perform neuropsychological evaluations for individuals already in therapy with our practice. We are happy to discuss this further and help coordinate care to best support your needs.
[TOP]
At Vision Neuropsychology & Psychology Services, we offer individual psychotherapy that is collaborative and tailored to each person’s needs.
Our approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and integrates techniques from other evidence-based modalities. We place strong emphasis on developing a supportive therapeutic alliance, as we believe a trusting relationship is key to effective therapy.
We provide therapy for a range of concerns, including adjustment to neurological or medical conditions, anxiety, depression, grief, stress, and life transitions. Therapy may focus on enhancing coping strategies, improving emotional well-being, supporting cognitive and functional abilities, and fostering resilience.
[TOP]
The first therapy session is focused on helping us get to know you and understand your concerns. We will review your history, discuss what brought you to therapy, and talk about your goals and what you hope to gain from the process.
This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and determine whether our approach feels like a good fit for you. Building a strong therapeutic relationship is a key part of our work, and we want you to feel comfortable and supported.
By the end of the first session, we will typically begin to outline a plan for therapy and discuss next steps. Some initial coping strategies or practical suggestions may also be offered based on your needs.
[TOP]
The frequency of therapy sessions is individualized to best meet each person’s needs and goals. At Vision Neuropsychology & Psychology Services, therapy is typically scheduled weekly or every other week.
Some individuals find that starting with weekly sessions provides helpful momentum, and then shift to every other week as progress is made. Others may begin with a less frequent schedule depending on their availability, needs, and circumstances.
[TOP]
Yes — Vision Neuropsychology & Psychology Services offers therapy services via secure telehealth.
We typically conduct therapy sessions through video conferencing, using Microsoft Teams to maintain your privacy and meet HIPAA standards. Many of our clients find telehealth to be convenient and comfortable, and it allows us to serve a broader geographic area.
In-person therapy may be available in select cases, but telehealth is generally preferred for flexibility and accessibility. We are happy to discuss what will work best for you.
[TOP]