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JOSEPH D. EUBANKS, Ph.D.
Diplomate in Clinical Neuropsychology
American Board of Professional Psychology
Office (210) 614-6574
Fax (210) 615-3731
Ann Marcotte, Ph.D.
Secretary,Division 40
Department of Pediatrics Memorial
Hospital of Rhode Island
111 Brewster Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Dear Ann,
In light of the changes in the"Definition of a Neuropsychologist", Carl and I agree that the members of the Executive Committee review the brochure once again.Enclosed is a copy of the revised text. A copy should be sent to each member.
I look forward to seeing you in Seattle.
Truly yours
Dan
Texas Neurosciences Institute
4410 Medical Drive, Suite 630
San Antonio, Texas 78229
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CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY SUMMARY INFORMATION
Prepared by Division 40
Clinical Neuropsychology
American Psychological Association
1. WHAT IS CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY?
Clinical neuropsychology is a practice and research specialty of psychology that deals with the relationship between the brain and behavior. There is no single definitionsufficiently broad to define clinical neuropsychology completely. There are numerous textbooks that attempt to delineate the field and usually start with a phrase similar to,"Clinical neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships."
Another way to define clinical neuropsychology is to consider the general consensus of what constitutes the practice and research domains of clinical neuropsychology. In clinical settings, neuropsychologists assess, diagnose, and provide treatment to individuals who have been born with neurological abnormalities or who have sustained central nervous system injury or illness. Such maladies include genetic abnormalities, congenital problems, traumatic brain injury, stroke, tumors,exposure to toxic substanc-es, metabolic diseases, and degenerative diseases of the brain. Clinical neuropsychologists also assess, diagnose, and treat children and adults with psychiatric illnesses. Treatment may include direct intervention and program development, as well as consultation with other professionals and family members.
Domains of knowledge considered fundamental to clinical neuropsy- chology include the basic neurosciences,neuropathology, psycholog-ical theory, psychopathology, and psychometrics, among others. Please refer to the following article for more information:
Benton, A.(1987) Evolution of a clinical speciality. The Clinical Neuronsychologist, 1, 5-8.
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Clinical Neuropsychology Summary Information
neuropsychology.Please refer to the following article for a formal definition of a clinical neuropsychologist.
Definition of a clinical neuropsychologist, (1989). The Clinical Neuroloaist, 5, 22.
The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) certifies that an individual is competent to practice clinical neuropsychology. The certification processinvolves extensive peer review of an applicant's education,knowledge of the subject matter and ethics, and written neuropsychological reports.Although the ABPP certification is not necessary or required to practice clinical neuropsychology, it is a clear statement of competency. For information about this certification, please write to:
American Board of Professional Psychology, Inc.
Nicholas Palo,Executive Officer
2100 E. Broadway, Suite 313
Columbia, MO 65201-6082
1-314 875-1267
4. ARE THERE NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY?
There are many organizations whose members practice clinical neuropsychology.The two major clinical organizations are:
Division 40 (Clinical Neuropsychology) of the American Psychological Association. This organization is especially concerned with the professional issues encountered in the practice of clinical neuropsychology, although research and education are stresses as well. Membership information may be obtained from:
William B. Meneese, Ph.D.
Lakeshore Hospital
3800 Ridgeway Drive
Birmingham, AL 35209
205-868-2149
National Academy of Neuropsychology. This organization is very involved with the clinical aspects of neuropsychology. Membership information may be obtained from:
Richard I. Naugle, Ph.D.
Membership Chair,
National Academy of Neuropsychology
Cleveland Clinic Foundation (P57)
One Clinic Center
9500 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44195 216-444-7748
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Clinical Neuropsychology Summary Information
chology is a recognized standard of practice: however, there are many clinical neuropsychologists who do not use them, and this is also acceptable.In either case, the clinical neuropsychologists is responsible for the assessment.The following article presents the current guidelines for the education and training of technicians and other nondoctoral personnel:
Report of the Division 40 Task Force on Education, Accreditation and Credentialing: Recommendations for the Education and Training of Nondoctoral Personnel in Clinical Neuropsychology (1991).The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 5, 20-23
8. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE IN CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY?
This is a relatively new areafor clinical neuropsychology and there are many significant issues yet to be resolved regarding the clinical use of such technology.Computers and programs are used for assessment and rehabilitation by some clinical neuropsychologists. For information regarding Division 40's position on the use of assessment programs, please refer to:
Division 40: Task Force Report on Computer Assisted Neuropsychological Evaluation (1987). The Clinical Neuroosvchologist, 2, 161-184.
For information regarding Division 40's position on the use of computer-assisted rehabilitation programs, please refer to:
Matthews, C.G., Harley, J.P. & Malec, J.F. (1991). Guidelines for computer-assisted neuropsychological rehabilitation and cognitive remediation.The Clinical Neuroosvchologist, 5, 3- 19.
9. WHERE ARE CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST EMPLOYED?
Clinical neuropsychologists are employed in a variety of settings, both public and private,including independent practice, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. The following paper presents an overview of the professional practice of clinical neuropsychology.
Putnam, S.H. & DeLuca, J.W. (1990). The TCN professional practice survey: Part I: General practices of neuropsychologist in primary employment and private practice settings. The Clinical Neuroosvchologist, 4, 199-244.
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Division 40, Clinical Neuropsychology, and the American Psychological Foundation_ announce the first annual Robert A. and Phyllis Levitt Early Career Award in Neuropsychology for an APA member psychologist who is not more than 10 years post doctoral degree and who has made a distinguished contribution to neuropsychology in research, scholarship, and/or clinical work.
A letter of nomination and three supporting letters (at least two from nationally-known neuropsychologists familiar with the candidate's work and its impact on the field) should be included along with 5 copies of 1) a CV, 2) three supporting documents (e.g., major publications: research grants; assessment, clinical, or teaching techniques; treatment protocols) providing evidence of national/international recognition, and 3) the candidate's 500 word statement describing professional accomplishments, personal long-term goals, and future challenges and directions in the field of neuropsychology that they wish to address.
The awardee receives a certificate and $1000 and will be invited to present a paper at APA's 1995 convention in August. The deadline is Apri I 1. Send nominations to Ida Sue Baron, Ph.D., ABPP, Chair, Division 40 Awards Committee, 10116 Weatherwood Court, Potomac, Maryland, 20854.
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TO: Drs. Dodrill, Hammeke, Rourke, Chelune & Goldstein
RE: The CNS
18 November 1944
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To recapitulate the presenting problem, the professions of clinical neuropsychology is presently arranged in a cellular fashion. There are a number of major organizations that are directly or partly concerned with professional issues. Heretofore, each societal cell has acted on its own in a relatively isolated fashion without the benefit of cross-fertilization from formal inter-organizational communication.
My goal in nurturing the CNS is to promote the transmission of information across the gaps in this collection of society cells by joining together at a central point of contact the primary component organizations within clinical neuropsychology for an integrated and more ruly governance of the whole.
Obviously the organizations that will join together to become the clinical Neuropsychology synarchy will have to decide amongst themselves what organizational positions should be represented in the CNS. Nevertheless, allow me to enumerate some key positions that I thought would be propitious to bring to the table in such an overarching organization. These are: the President of Division 40 and its representatives to the APA Council of Representatives; the President of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology and its representative to the American Board of Professional Psychology; the Chairman of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology and its representative to the IOC. Of course, this is only a preliminary suggestion; there may be other positions I have overlooked.
Benefits from such coordination could include the sharing of resources and avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts. For some professional goals, there may be a need for a coordinated multiplicity of efforts directed toward different spheres in order to achieve the results desired by all. There may be some situations where one organizaiton could benefit if another organization acted, or refrained from acting, in a particular situation. Potentially, some misunderstandings might be avoided and some apparent conflicts might prove resolvable. A standard agenda item might be to coordinate the meeting times of the individual organizations represented to avoid overlapping or conflict @ meeting schedules involving some of the same personnel. The CNS itself may find it more beneficial and productive to meet at times when other major meetings are not in session, such as in December or January and June or July, i.e., a month or two before the INS and APA conventions.
There are some issues which come to mind that the CNS may wish to take up rather swiftly. These might include the recognition by APA of Clinical Neuropsychology as a "new"specialty, a "definition of a clinical neuropsychologist," the revisitation of guidelines for education and training in clinical neurospychology and other common concerns or cuase celebre. On the first point, I am enclosing a relevant document and I would direct your attention to page 5 (line 7).
Enclosures: "Request for Review and Comment on Documents from..." the JIC
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have no official funds until membership does begin arriving. Many of us, have already incurred in moderate to significant expense out of pocket.
I am, therefore, kindly requesting that Division 40 consider providing us with start-up funds in the sum of $1,500 for the operating costs. The funds will be used for the following purposes:
*Mailings/postage
*Phone costs involved in copies for faxing and long distance calls;
*Clerical costs
*Photocopying;
*Printing costs (newsletter);
The ultime goal of HNS is to be self-supporting, and self-sufficient to fulfill its mission statement and to contribute to the practice of neuropsychology. We would gladly welcome any and all support Division 40 can provide to HNS.
Sincerely yours,
Mare cel O. Ponton Ph.D.
President HNS
Enclosures
MISSION STATEMENT
The Hispanic Neuropsychological Society (HNS) is a group of clinical and research neuropsychologists interested in promoting the competent practice of neuropsychology with Spanish-speaking populations. The major emphasis of HNS will be to provide a culturally informed voide to improve the qulaity of neuropsychological services for Hispanics.
Central aspects of the HNS mission are:
1)encourage and facilitate the dissemination of clinical and research
information for the practice of neuropsychology with Hispanic populations;
2)actively promote networking and collaboration among its members regarding
the use of current and emerging testing instruments for the appropriate
assessment of Hispanics;
3)work towards developing guidelines for competent neuropsychological
practice with Hispanics;
4)assist in the development of training programs aimed at helping neuropsychologists
to prvide culturally appropriate treatment, assessment and research;
5) remain a non-affiliated society in order to work collaboratively
with existing neuropsychological organizations, both in the U.S. and abroad;
6)encourage and facilitate the development of emerging neuropsychologists
who are interested in working with Hispanic populations via networking
and mentoring, as well as providing research opportunities to improve the
extant knowledge base;
7)establish a database of current and developing research on tests,
norms, and funding opportunities for the practice of neuropsychology with
Hipanics;
HNS will remain a cross-cultural society and welcomes members from all
ethnic backgrounds.
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