What is Clinical Neuropsychology?

Official statement of the Australian Psychological Society

Clinical neuropsychologists specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders associated with conditions affecting the brain. These include neurological, medical and psychiatric conditions, developmental disorders and learning disabilities. Neuropsychological assessment can help with diagnosis and treatment planning, and can be used to establish a baseline for future comparison. Neuropsychologists use assessment results to help patients, families, teachers, employers and others by providing them with feedback, understanding and support, and by enabling them to develop realistic expectations through education, recommendations and advice.

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Official statement of the National Academy of Neuropsychology

A clinical neuropsychologist is a professional within the field of psychology with special expertise in the applied science of brain-behavior relationships. Clinical neuropsychologist use this knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or rehabilitation of patients across the lifespan with neurological, medical, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions, as well as other cognitive and learning disorders. The clinical neuropsychologist uses psychological, neurological, cognitive, behavioral, and physiological principles, techniques and tests to evaluate patients' neurocognitive, behavioral, and emotional strengths and weaknesses and their relationship to normal and abnormal central nervous system functioning. The clinical neuropsychologist uses this information and information provided by other medical/healthcare providers to identify and diagnose neurobehavioral disorders, and plan and implement intervention strategies.

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