Do you know the key differences between clinical neuropsychology and clinical psychology? If you're an individual dealing with mental health issues, cognitive impairments, or neurodegenerative disease seeking care, understanding these differences is important to help get you the best possible treatment options. Let's explore these differences together so you can make informed choices about your mental health care.

The Similarities 

Both neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists can help individuals with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, grief, and stress. They share many similarities in their training and practice, requiring advanced degrees like a Ph.D. or Psy.D. and undergo extensive training to become experts in their field. Both professions conduct evaluations to understand how the brain works and to help individuals who are dealing with mental health issues. Both psychologists and neuropsychologists are committed to improving mental health and often collaborate with other medical professionals to provide comprehensive care. But, there are also some big differences between them.

The Differences 

Clinical psychologists typically have ongoing clinical relationships with their patients, providing psychotherapy and counseling over time to address various mental health issues. They work closely with patients to develop coping strategies and improve overall mental well-being. Clinical psychologists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and more. They often work in private practices, hospitals, mental health clinics, or in academic settings. Neuropsychologists focus on understanding biological factors and the relationship between the brain and behavior. While they receive the same initial training as clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists undergo additional specialized training specific to neuropsychology. This specific training that Neuropsychologists allow them to see how biological factors and brain issues affect the cognitive functions of your brain and your behavior. It also allows them to conduct different types of assessment and tests that measure different domains such as  Perceptual-motor Function, Language, Executive Function, Learning and Memory, Complex Attention, and Social Cognition. Neuropsychologists will often talk to an individual and their family about their psychological history, medical history, as well as asking your family about any changes they have noticed in your cognitive abilities. Collecting this information through assessments helps establish a baseline of an individual’s cognitive functioning. Neuropsychologists also specialize in addressing and tracking progression of  neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's. Their expertise allows them to conduct detailed assessments using task-based measures to evaluate brain function and develop tailored treatment plans.

Neuropsychologists typically focus on assessing cognitive function and do not usually provide ongoing therapy themselves. Instead, they gather detailed information into a report to help other professionals create a more comprehensive treatment plan. These reports use a variety of strategies to help individuals overcome cognitive impairments based on test results. They include:

• Behavioral strategies: These include modifying daily routines or incorporating evidence-based practices like mindfulness exercises to enhance cognitive functions

• External strategies: Using tools and aids like calendars, planners, or organizational apps to improve memory and task management

• Internal strategies: Mnemonic devices, mental rehearsal techniques or memory games to strengthen memory and cognitive skills

• Compensatory strategies: These are methods to work around memory or thinking problems, like setting reminders or breaking tasks into smaller steps to enhance  memory, attention, and problem-solving skills

Unlike clinical psychologists, who often provide ongoing therapy, neuropsychologists focus more on understanding a patient's thinking and brain health through assessments. Neuropsychological assessments can take  4-6 hours to complete because of how thorough the tests are. Depending on what needs to be evaluated and for special cases it might take upwards of 8 hours. These extensive tests are needed so that a Neuropsychologist can create an accurate and detailed evaluation, which is why it might take a few weeks for a clinical neuropsychologist to finalize the written report. The detail and the accuracy of the reports is vital in helping an individual get the proper treatment they need. 

Let’s Use an Example

Since both psychologists and neuropsychologists can help improve a person’s mental health, it can be tricky to determine who you might want to see. Here is an example that might help you understand better. Alex is a 35-year-old project manager who has been feeling increasingly sad and unmotivated for the past few months. They have been struggling to find joy in activities they used to love, such as rock climbing and spending time with family. Alex has also been having trouble concentrating at work and has noticed a decline in their memory and decision-making abilities.

Psychologist's Approach:

If Alex were to see a psychologist for their depression, the psychologist would focus on Alex's emotional and cognitive well-being. They would engage Alex in talk therapy (psychotherapy) to explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. The psychologist might help Alex identify negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies to manage them. They would also work with Alex to address any underlying issues that may be contributing to their depression, such as past trauma or relationship difficulties.

Neuropsychologist's Approach:

On the other hand, if Alex were to see a neuropsychologist, the focus would be more on the cognitive and neurological aspects of their depression. The neuropsychologist would conduct specialized assessments to evaluate Alex's cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and executive functioning. They would look for any cognitive deficits or changes in brain function that may be related to Alex's depression. Based on these assessments, the neuropsychologist may recommend treatments that target cognitive symptoms.

So, Who Should You See?

It depends on what you are looking for! Some patients are often referred to neuropsychologists by psychologists, rehabilitation specialists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons when there are concerns about cognitive function. For instance, a patient under the care of a psychologist who reports memory issues might be referred to a neuropsychologist to assess whether these problems stem from cognitive dysfunction or issues with attention and executive function.

After a neuropsychological evaluation, neuropsychologists collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including neurosurgeons, neurologists, and rehabilitation specialists, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the patient's cognitive functions. They may also refer patients to other specialists, such as physical therapists, psychiatrists, or neurologists, for further evaluation or treatment, depending on the nature of the patient's condition. This information is then used to develop tailored treatment plans. 

If you think that you might want to get a neuropsychological evaluation, we recommend that you book with us! At Hopewell Neuropsychological Center, we offer neuropsychological evaluations as well as other services! You can call us at (682)-312-9820 and book an appointment or if you have any questions.