Psychological Issues

Our neuropsychologists and rehabilitation psychologists at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) provide inpatient and outpatient treatment for the effects of disabilities.

Behavioral - Especially noticed in young children, behavioral disorders are continued disruptive actions that can negatively impact a person’s ability to function in social situations.
Cognitive - Conditions that impact a person’s ability to process information fall under the category of cognitive disorders. These disorders range from dyslexia to dementia.
Emotional - Certain characteristics are evident in emotional disorders including the lack of ability to maintain relationships with others, persistent moods of depression, and expressive behavior inappropriate to the setting.
Physical - A term that encompasses a wide range and variety of conditions, physical disabilities are a condition that limit a person’s physical ability to move or function.

Many disabilities, both mental and physical, can impact a patient beyond their diagnosed condition often requiring psychological treatment.

Neuropsychologists and Rehabilitation Psychologists

In many cases a neuropsychologist or rehabilitation psychologist is part of a patient’s comprehensive care team, another aspect of providing holistic treatment for a recovering patient. Whether due to illness or injury, the neuro or rehab psychologist will assess individuals to provide the best course of treatment for cognitive, emotional, or behavioral changes. They provide treatment on a personal basis in addition to during physical rehabilitation sessions to ensure a patient can continue to participate in therapy.

About Neuropsychology

Neuropsychologists study the relationship between how a person’s brain functions and the structures of the brain.

Patients who suffer from a stroke or other related conditions and injuries often benefit from neurorehabilitation to better understand and evaluate current cognitive abilities.

As licensed professionals who evaluate cognitive abilities, neuropsychologists examine brain-behavior relationships in areas such as:

Memory
Attention
Visual-spatial skills
Problem-solving

Neuropsychologists at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation identify your strengths and weaknesses through testing and interviews, and help develop treatment strategies with the rest of the rehab team.

About Rehabilitation Psychology

Rehabilitation psychologists evaluate and treat psychological issues of people with disabilities, whether they were born with a disability or acquired it later in life. Often rehabilitation psychologists and neuropsychologists collaborate in order to provide the most effective treatment for a patient, performing both disability-related cognitive and emotional assessments.

These specialists help individuals deal with the emotional and psycho-social problems that can accompany chronic health conditions or injuries resulting in cognitive or physical disabilities. Patients dealing with injuries such as amputation or illnesses such as cancer can benefit from rehabilitation psychology treatment.

Our specialists also provide education and support to family members to help them learn how to care for and adjust to changes in their loved one’s physical or mental health.

Looking for?

Make an Appointment

For more information about neuro and rehabilitation psychology, see our locations and contact information for outpatient neurorehabilitation services.

Call 1-800-533-UPMC (533-8762) to make an appointment with a doctor from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.