What is a neuropsychologist? A neuropsychologist is a registered specialist in psychology. Neuropsychologists assess and treat the effects of brain dysfunction on thinking, emotion, behaviour, and daily functioning. The brain problem could arise from structural neuropathology, as happens in stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), epilepsy, dementia, and neurodevelopmental conditions. In those conditions, there is a physical alteration in the anatomical structure of the brain. Alternatively, the brain dysfunction may be neurochemical and cause a mood disorder, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar mood disorder.
Quick Facts
- Neuropsychologists measure memory, attention, language, planning, visuospatial skills and emotion using standardised tests.
- In South Africa, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) holds the official registration categories for psychologists, including the specialist category of Neuropsychologist.
- The South African Clinical Neuropsychological Association (SACNA) offers peer credentialling (writing examinations and submitting case-reports) that many neuropsychologists use for specialist recognition.
- Having the phrase “special interest in neuropsychology” on a letterhead does not mean someone is a registered neuropsychologist. In fact, this phrase is a dead giveaway that the person is not actually a neuropsychologist. Legally, in South Africa, the title ‘neuropsychologist’ can only be used by psychologists with the appropriate HPCSA registration.
What neuropsychologists do
- Diagnose cognitive, emotional and behavioural problems and explain what they mean for day-to-day life and work.
- Implement practical rehabilitation plans: cognitive rehabilitation, compensatory strategies, and goal-setting. Often, this is with the context of multidisciplinary team-based rehabilitation (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and neurology).
- Undertake functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) and provider-independent assessments. Insurers and employers use these to make return-to-work decisions. (Ormond Neuroscience undertakes FCEs for insurance companies.)
- Provide expert medicolegal reports and expert witness testimony — from RAF matters to complex medical negligence litigation. (Ormond Neuroscience accepts complex medicolegal mandates.)
- Offer treatments to improve function, including cognitive rehabilitation and adjunctive neuromodulation such as vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) where clinically appropriate.
Local note: In South Africa, always check the HPCSA register for a practitioner’s registration category and ask whether the neuropsychologist holds SACNA full membership or has completed SACNA credentialling. These steps protect patients, referrers and insurers.
VNS — a short, practical note
Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) — including non-invasive transcutaneous approaches — is a neuromodulation technique that can enhance neuroplasticity. At Ormond Neuroscience we use VNS as an adjunct to rehabilitation in selected patients. For example, in post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation, difficult-to-treat mood disorders, and some seizure disorders. VNS is complementary to standard treatments. The stimulation primes the brain, and rehabilitation uses that primed state to relearn skills.
Why it matters for patients, families and referrers
- Correct diagnosis guides the right treatment. For instance, cognitive problems from stroke differ from those caused by depression or medication.
- Furthermore, insurers, employers and courts depend on independent, registered experts. A registered neuropsychologist provides defensible, structured reports for claims, litigation and return-to-work planning.
How Ormond Neuroscience fits this role
At Ormond Neuroscience, we provide comprehensive specialist neuropsychological assessments, evidence-based rehabilitation programmes, insurance FCEs and medicolegal reporting — including complex medical negligence work as well as RAF claims.
We integrate state-of-the-art adjuncts to rehabilitation, such as vagal nerve stimulation, to boost recovery when clinically appropriate.
Call to action
If you or a family member need a specialist neuropsychological assessment, an insurance functional capacity evaluation, or an expert medico-legal report — contact Ormond Neuroscience. We accept medicolegal mandates and insurance referrals and will discuss whether VNS is appropriate for a particular case. We treat complex brain conditions. If you have emotional, cognitive, or behavioural, or functional problems that need treating, please contact us. Indeed, even if everything seems fine but you’re concerned that you could develop dementia, contact us. Patients on our Neuroharmonics programme often thrive even in the face of neurophysical adversity.
Quick Contact
Ormond Neuroscience
Digby Ormond-Brown, neuropsychologist
Tel: +27-81-326-4509
Email: practice@ormond.co.za
Useful links
- Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital – multidisciplinary neurological rehab facility
- HPCSA — Psychology board
- SACNA — professional body
- Insurance claims
- Medicolegal services
What does a neuropsychologist look like?
This is what a male neuropsychologist looks like. As you might have figured, the one on the left is the neuropsychologist. Kinda grungy, hasn’t had enough sleep, and well past his sell-by date. The fellow on the right is Sigmund Freud. Notice how the neuropsychologist tries to emulate Freud with his goatee beard. Indeed, it’s a mandatory part of the “neuropsych” look for any male neuropsychologist over 40 years of age.
On the other hand, female neuropsychologists are glamorous, slim and have no wrinkles, even those over 40.
The picture above could be of a female neuropsychologist addressing a conference on a complex topic. It could. Indeed! 😂😂😂
Quick FAQ
What is the difference between a neuropsychologist and a clinical psychologist?
Both are registered psychologists, but neuropsychologists specialise in brain–behaviour relationships and objective cognitive testing. Neuropsychologists focus on measurement and rehabilitation of brain-related deficits; clinical psychologists typically focus on psychotherapy and mental-health treatment.
Some neuropsychologists are also registered as clinical psychologists. For instance, Digby Ormond-Brown has dual registrations as a neuropsychologist and a clinical psychologist. This means that not only does he have a broad range of skills, but he is also better able to integrate brain physiology with the complexity of mood disorders, like depression.
How long does an assessment take?
Typical specialist assessments require 2–5 hours of consultations, testing, and feedback. On top of that, add report preparation time, which varies with the complexity of the report. It follows that treatment time is in addition to assessment time.
Are neuropsychologists regulated in South Africa?
Yes — the HPCSA registers specialist psychologists, and SACNA exists as the professional peer body that peer credentials neuropsychologists through an exam and case-report process.
