Therapeutic Neuropsychological Assessment: A Humanistic Model and Case Example

Abstract

One of the challenges the field of clinical neuropsychology faces is to develop an assessment process that is relevant to the needs of patients and referral sources and responsive to those needs. One method for meeting this need is for psychologists and neuropsychologists to extend their services to develop clinical interventions that serve to enhance patients' cognitive and emotional well-being. Feedback to patients from the results of neuropsychological tests is an intervention that is considered an important part of the assessment process, and there is evidence that direct feedback has positive therapeutic effects for patients. Although many authors have provided suggestions and principles for conducting neuropsychological test feedback, there is no agreed-on conceptual framework for doing so. The following article presents a humanistic model for providing feedback from the results of neuropsychological tests and a case example of its application with a young woman suffering from a brain tumor.

Avaliação Neuropsicológica com Adultos Idosos: Especificidades

“…Pode-se considerar legítimo que no relatório conste a discrepância entre os resultados e interpretações do psicólogo e a opinião da pessoa acerca de si mesmo. É assim compreendido que o processo de devolução de resultados é susceptível de ser percebido como uma experiência terapêutica que utiliza as "ferramentas" de testes neuropsicológicos para facilitar a mudança, crescimento pessoal e/ou adesão terapêutica (Gorske, 2008).…”

Neuropsychological Assessment in Substance Abuse Treatment—Focusing on the Effects of Substances and on Neuropsychological Assessment as a Collaborative Process

“…Functions like memory, attention, and inhibition are the result of complex processes, influenced by motivation and emotional states (Good, 2000;Gorske, 2008;Vakil, 2012). Moreover, the occurrence of polysubstance abuse makes it difficult to study the effects of specific substances (Hanson & Luciana, 2010;Hanson et al, 2011a;Thoma et al, 2011).…”

“…Sometimes, we hear that the client should not be reduced to a diagnosis (Gorske, 2008). This approach might paradoxically collide with a desire to be identified with a diagnosis (Bailey, 2005;Cooper, 2004).…”

“…Diagnosing neuropsychiatric disorders concerns the process of excluding, or confirming, certain diagnoses (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Neuropsychological assessment concerns the functioning of the individual client, including strengths and limitations, which are assessed and evaluated in a holistic manner, with respect to the social circumstances and emotional states (Good, 2000;Gorske, 2008). Moreover, neuropsychological assessment provides possibilities to identify impairments that are diffuse and/or sublime but nevertheless might have negative consequences for the life situation of the client (Gorske & Smith;Morris & Lawson, 1999;Schrimser et al, 2007).…”

“…If cognitive impairments are identified and understood, the treatment might be adapted to the needs and possibilities of the individual client (Gorske, 2008;Schrimser et al, 2007). If a client, for example, experiences difficulties in concentrating, a neuropsychological assessment might clarify the nature of the difficulties.…”