This paper covers foundational topics in the assessment and remediation of patients with neuropsychological impairments necessary to meet the competencies prescribed by the New Zealand Psychologists Board for clinical psychologists. The paper is designed to develop knowledge and practical clinical skills in the individualised assessment, formulation and communication about clients with neuropsychological disorders. You will learn to identify what is in the scope of practice for clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists, and under what circumstances specialist neuropsychological assessment and intervention is indicated.
About this paper
| Paper title | Clinical Neuropsychology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Psychology |
| EFTS | 0.0833 |
| Points | 10 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $767.36 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Notes
- Students must also have been provisionally admitted to the PGDipClPs programme.
- Eligibility
Students who have been provisionally admitted to the Clinical Psychology Training Programme are required to take PSYC 401-406, each of which is a 10-point single-semester paper. PSYC 402-406 are for clinical students only.
- Contact
Dr Christine Canty christine.canty@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Psychology's website
- Teaching staff
Lecturers: Dr Christine Canty
- Paper Structure
The objectives of this paper are:
- To promote the capacity and desire for lifelong learning and the self-directed continuing education about neuropsychology throughout a career in clinical psychology.
- To understand the forms and functions of clinical neuropsychology practice.
- To develop knowledge and awareness of theories and evidence on the neuropsychological bases of cognition, emotion, motivation, personality, and executive function in the context of clinical neuropsychology practice.
- To develop a critical appreciation of the conceptual, theoretical, and clinical relevance and limitations of neuropsychological tests and psychometric practice.
- To understand the cognitive, behavioural, and emotional changes associated with normal and pathological processes.
- To develop rudimentary competencies in individualised assessment, intervention, and communication in clinical neuropsychology practice and an awareness of when specialist neuropsychological assessment is required.
- To promote the self-confidence, ethical awareness, and initiative of students in the conduct of assessments of and interventions with clients with neuropsychological deficits in clinical settings.
Learning will take the form of a combined approach of traditional lectures and case-based problem-focused learning (CPL). PSYC405 involves approximately 120 hours of work. This work includes preparing for and attending class, reading, reviewing notes and preparing your assignments.
- Textbooks
Recommended:
- Sellbom, M. & Suhr, J. A (2020). The Cambridge Handbook of Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Other useful textbooks for wider reading:
- Anderson, V., Northam, E. & Wrennall, J. (2018). Developmental Neuropsychology: A Clinical Approach (2nd Edition). Milton: Routledge
- Green, J. (2000). Neuropsychological evaluation of the older adult: A clinician’s guidebook. Burlington: Elsevier Science.
- Gurd, J. M., Kischka, U., & Marshall, J. C. (Eds.). (2010). Handbook of clinical neuropsychology (2nd ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford.
- Lezak, M., Howieson, D. B., Bigler, E. D., and Tranel, D. (2012). Neuropsychological assessment (5th ed.). New York: Oxford. [Available for 3-day loan; also may be in Clinic Seminar Room]
- Parsons, M. W., & Hammeke, T. A. (Eds.). (2014). Clinical neuropsychology: A pocket handbook for assessment (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
- Prigatano, G.P (1999). Principles of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. Oxford University Press.
- Silver, J. M., McAllister, T. W., and Arciniegas, D. B. (2019). Textbook of traumatic brain injury (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- Sherman, E.M.S., Tan, J.E. & Hrabok, M. (2023). A compendium of neuropsychological tests: Fundamentals of neuropsychological assessment and test reviews for clinical practice. Oxford University Press.
- Wilson, B. A., & Betteridge, S. (2019) Essentials of neuropsychological rehabilitation. Guildford Press: New York. (not yet available at the library unfortunately).
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will develop:
- The capacity and desire for lifelong learning and self-directed continuing education about neuropsychology throughout a career in clinical psychology
- An understanding of the cognitive, behavioural and emotional changes consequent on acquired brain impairments and neurological disorder
- A critical appreciation of the range of assessment and intervention procedures used in clinical neuropsychology
- Knowledge and practical clinical skills in the individualised assessment, formulation and communication about clients with neuropsychological deficits
- Assessment details
Your final grade for PSYC405 is based on internal assessment (60%) and the final assignment (40%). The student presentation in weeks 37-42 will form part of the internal assessment for this Paper (40%). A further part of the internal assessment (20%) will be an assessment of your contribution to class discussions. Your final assignment (40%) will involve a mock cognitive assessment involving and interview, clinical test administration, a written cognitive assessment report and a written reflection.