Sutter Medical Foundation Neuropsychology Services

Injuries, inherited conditions and brain diseases can affect how people feel and act, and how they process information. Clinical neuropsychologists are psychologists with special training on understanding how the physical brain affects daily living skills.

In the Sutter Health network, more than two dozen neuropsychologists help patients with brain trauma, stroke, movement disorders, genetic disorders, dementia and other conditions. Experts evaluate cognitive and emotional strengths and weaknesses, counsel families, develop and carry out treatment plans and assess progress. Here are some of the services we provide.

Assessments

Neuropsychologists use a variety of assessment tools to meet the needs of individual patients. They use standardized tests to assess attention, memory, language, academic skills, reasoning, perception, visual-spatial ability and fine motor skills. They may also use tests to understand a patient’s emotional style, personality, moods and other aspects of a person’s approach to life.

Neuropsychologists also reassess patients receiving treatments and compare results against earlier tests to determine progress. For patients with chronic or degenerative conditions, neuropsychologists may repeat tests and perform new ones to help patients, families and medical teams understand any changes taking place.

Consultations

Neuropsychologists analyze assessment information to create evaluation reports on patients’ neuropsychological strengths and weaknesses. Evaluations may be limited to one area, such as memory loss, or involve all aspects of a person’s neuropsychological abilities, as with patients in one of our acute inpatient rehabilitation centers.

Communicating assessment results and discussing next steps is an important aspect of our neuropsychologists’ role. They meet with the patient and/or the patient’s loved ones to discuss the evaluation results, what the findings mean and next steps. They also consult with doctors and other members of a patient’s care team to help determine the best course of care.

Treatments

Neuropsychologists work with doctors, therapists and other healthcare professionals to design effective therapy plans and monitor progress. This team-based approach uses methods such as brain games and cognitive exercises. Treatment can include:

• Exercises to improve memory, reasoning, visual-spatial perception, fine motor skills and other skills
• Computer and video games
• Relaxation training
• Creative therapies, such as music and art