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Single Session Consultation (SSC)

Single Session Consultation (SSC) is an evidenced-based, client-centered session that lasts for only one session with no commitment or expectation to return for additional sessions. If you have no previous counselling experience and/or and you don’t want to commit to regular sessions, SSC may suit you.

SSC is appropriate for someone who motivated to immediately get to work on one specific issue. It is a solution focused method that encourages you to build on your strengths. The therapy will help you visualize a desirable outcome and map out short-term goals.

SSC is not an appropriate treatment choice if you are in crisis (i.e., having thought of self-harm) or in need of on-going therapy and long-term support.

Please contact us if you are interested in Single Session Consultation. You will participate in in a phone intake prior to the SSC where your main concern will discussed and a determination is made if SSC is right for you.

Autism, Dyslexia Diagnostic Assessments

The ADOS is a semi-structured assessment of communication, social interaction, and play (or imaginative use of materials) for individuals suspected of having Autism or other pervasive developmental disorders. The ADOS consists of four modules, each appropriate for children and adults of differing language levels, ranging from non-verbal to verbally fluent. 

Neuropsychology and Counseling Associates are pleased to announce social and life skills groups for young adults with Autism and other developmental disorders. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with their learning specifically in the areas of word fluency, reading fluency, writing, spelling, and comprehension, please inquire about Dyslexia testing today.

Memory Loss

It is our philosophy to capitalize on strengths and to deal with, even mitigate, weaknesses.

 

  • Have you noticed a sudden personality change in a loved one?  Has lovable and affable behavior transformed into irritability and anger—energy and motivation into apathy?
  • Are daily routine tasks becoming increasingly difficult to carry out?  Tired of forgetting where you put the car keys, what needs to be bought at the grocery store, and what you meant to do just a few minutes ago?
  • Are you no longer achieving to your fullest potential when it comes to your job or family duties?
  • Are you or a loved one frustrated by the daily obstacles and battles presented by increasing memory loss?
  • Want to learn how to keep your brain sharp and delay the changes so often associated with aging?
  • Fearful you or a loved one has dementia?  Not sure what to do about it?

We can help!

 

Significant improvements can be made in one's life with the proper evaluation and treatment.


Most importantly, our aim is to improve yours or a loved one's mental efficiency and feeling of well-being for a happier, healthier, and more productive life!

Forensic Neuropsychology

Forensic neuropsychology is the application of neuropsychological principles in diagnosing and treating individuals involved in civil and/or criminal matters within the justice system.  It involves understanding the law in order to be able to interact appropriately with judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals.  A forensic neuropsychologist performs a wide range of tasks within the criminal justice system.  The largest is preparing for and providing testimony in the courtroom.  Evaluating the client, preparing testimony, and the testimony itself require the forensic neuropsychologist to have a firm grasp of the law and legal situation at issue in the courtroom.  Forensic neuropsychologists are generally asked to appear as expert witnesses in court to discuss cases that involve issues with the brain or brain damage.  Neuropsychologists also deal with the issue of whether a person is legally competent to stand trial.  The main roles of a neuropsychologist in the court system are the following:

 

  • Evaluation of possible malingering
  • Assessment of mental state for insanity plea
  • Competency to stand trial
  • Prediction of violence and assessment of risk
  • Assessment of personal injury
  • Specialized forensic personality assessment

 

Forensic Neuropsychologists have the ability to express an opinion because they are "expert" in their field.  They possess specialized knowledge about the topic.  Expert witnesses are called upon to testify on matters of mental health (clinical expertise) or other areas of expertise such as social, cognitive, and developmental.

Dementia, Alzheimer Screenings and Memory Disorders Program

Have you noticed a sudden personality change in a loved one?  Has lovable and affable behavior transformed into irritability and anger--energy and motivation into apathy?


Are daily routine tasks becoming increasingly difficult to carry out?  Tired of forgetting where you put the car keys, what needs to be bought at the grocery store, and what you meant to do just a few minutes ago?

 Are you no longer achieving your fullest potential when it comes to your job or family duties?  Fearful you or a loved one has dementia?  Not sure what to do about it?  Significant memory problems, confusion, and depression are not always part of the normal aging process, especially if they begin to interfere with an individual's activities of daily living.  Early diagnosis may aid in formulating the most effective treatment plan and slow worsening of symptoms.  Significant improvements can be made in one's life with the proper evaluation and treatment.  Intervention for families caring for those afflicted is also available.  Most importantly, our aim is to improve yours or a loved one's mental efficiency and feeling of well-being for a happier, healthier, and more productive life.

We offer comprehensive memory support services at the Jersey Shore 

  • Dementia memory screening  and neuropsychological evaluations
  • Serial Testing (repeat evaluations to assess for changes over time)
  • Phone assessments for homebound patients
  • Psychiatric medication
  • Non-medication treatment for depression (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
  • Cognitive remediation providing compensatory strategies with family involvement for effective carryover
  • Family education, support and resources
  • Support group for enhancing  coping skills for older adults
  • Single session psychotherapy
  • Teletherapy and videoconferencing 

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Comprehensive Evaluation

Success starts with an accurate understanding of the problem.   

Many factors can contribute to memory loss and cognitive difficulties.  A comprehensive evaluation can provide a thorough and detailed picture of how and why someone is experiencing the difficulties and concerns that present themselves day in and day out.

 

Our goal is to accurately identify your present neuropsychological functioning so that a successful treatment plan can be developed.  It is absolutely essential, though, to go through a standardized process in which we can objectively find a solution.

 

Not only is clinical intervention possible, countless research across the globe is demonstrating startling success of intervention.  The results all point to happier and improved lives.

 

…and it all starts with an evaluation.

 

A Comprehensive Assessment is not only based on subjective observations, but it also provides an evaluation of deficits based on objective data.  This way, potential sources of error are identified so that goals and strategies can be sought out as part of a solution.  Due to the complex nature of cognitive function, personalized evaluation is essential in addressing each individual case.  An evaluation is dependent on the particular issues, presenting problems, and assessment goals.  However, there are some key components to a thorough evaluation.

 

Clinical Interview Time will be spent talking with the patient, family members, and colleagues.  The interview is crucial in learning about your cognitive abilities, your family, and the environments in which you interact.  Current concerns, history of those concerns, psychosocial functioning, developmental history, family history, academic history, medical history, and psychiatric history will all be explored and discussed.
 
Rating Scales are checklists that help to objectify observations of behavior, cognitive ability, and emotional/psychological functioning across a variety of settings.  Rating scales are an important assessment of the patient’s adaptive functioning with input from family and/or colleagues.
 
As part of the information-gathering steps of the evaluation, it is important to provide your treating professional relevant records including (but not limited to) medical records and results of any previous psychological evaluation or testing.  Medical conditions and medications, only by themselves, can cause cognitive impairment.  Therefore, medical information is essential for sound neuropsychological analysis.  This will help us pinpoint the underlying source of the problem by incorporating a medical incongruency or disregarding ‘background noise’ from secondary sources.
 
Neuropsychological and Psychological Testing can provide important objective information regarding how you process information.  Testing provides information regarding intelligence, learning style, cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and behavioral and emotional functioning.  Neuropsychological testing is crucially important in ruling out potential coexisting psychiatric or medical conditions, and gaining a thorough understanding of current cognitive abilities.
 
Autism Diagnostic Observation Testing (ADOS) The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) generates accurate assessments of autism and development disorders across all ages, language skills, cultural backgrounds and developmental levels. The ADOS is a standardized diagnostic assessment of social, imagination and communication skills of individuals who may have autism spectrum disorders.

Services For Senior Adults

At Neuropsychology and Counseling Associates, we offer a wide range of services for older adults and their families.  Individual, group, and family counseling are offered to assist with age-related issues.  Cognitive and dementia screening, neurocognitive and behavioral rehabilitation help to determine if changes are needed or whether a new level of care be considered by the older adult and their families. Neuropsychology and Counseling Associates offers psychological education and consultation for stress management, retirement, and grief and loss counseling.  Click here for additional information regarding dementia screening and its value.  Please give our office a call at 732-840-5266 for further information or to schedule a consultation.

Post-Concussion Syndrome

After a concussion, individuals may experience a number of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms.  These commonly include headache, dizziness, fatigue, vision problems, memory difficulty, and poor concentration.  Sleep difficulty, depression, anxiety, and irritability are also common.

Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is often performed to diagnose and treat individuals with these symptoms of post-concussion.  Early intervention may prevent these symptoms from worsening.