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A neuropsychological assessment can help you learn more about your cognitive strengths and weaknesses and what might be affecting your thinking skills.
A neuropsychological assessment can help diagnose or uncover problems related to:
Dementia, such as Alzheimer's Disease or Frontotemporal Dementia
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Stroke or a vascular insult
Parkinson's Disease or a movement disorder
For most assessments, before your appointment, you will complete a questionnaire about your history and why you are coming in for an assessment. Then you will meet with the doctor and talk about your history and your concerns for about an hour. After that, you and the doctor will work together to measure your thinking skills. A lot of people are worried about how they will do, but most people end up thinking that the testing is fun and interesting. You might test skills such as your memory, language skills, attention, and visual thinking. You will also complete some forms that ask questions about your emotions and mood. You will probably work together with the doctor for about 3-4 hours total. After that, the doctor will write a report, and you will meet again a few weeks later to discuss the findings and recommendations. The doctor will answer any questions that you have.
Assessments can be clinical or forensic.
Clinical evaluations help you or your doctor understand more about how your brain is functioning. They are usually referred by your PCP, NP, or psychologist, or self-referred.
Forensic evaluations determine the cause and severity of a physical or mental injury, and are usually necessary if you are pursuing legal action related to an injury or psychological diagnosis. These reports are written differently than clinical reports and are usually referred by your lawyer. Medical insurance will not pay for forensic evaluations.
Rebecca Wershba, Ph.D Neuropsychologist
Adults and older adults
Neuropsychological evaluations include dementia, traumatic brain injury, movement disorders, language disorders, stroke, COVID, and cancer
Other specializations: Capacity/competency, fitness for duty, veteran assessments
Dr. Wershba is the founder of Boston Metro Neuropsychology. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Arizona State University and completed her internship at the Tucson Veteran Administration Hospital. Her postdoctoral training at UMass Medical Center involved assessment of patients across the lifespan, from children to geriatrics, with neurological concerns including dementing disorders, movement disorders, epilepsy, brain tumors, ADHD, and learning disorders. She trained at the Cambridge Health Alliance where she conducted assessments of adult patients with complex psychiatric or substance use histories, as well as patients with a range of educational experiences and diverse backgrounds. Dr. Wershba additionally completed an advanced postdoctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital within the Home Base Program, focusing on patients with mild traumatic brain injury, and (often) comorbid substance use and/or mood disorders. She has specialized training in evaluations of capacity and competency in older adults.
To contact her or for a copy of her CV, please email rwershba@bostonmetronp.com
Vincenzo Zaccheo, Psy.D. Neuropsychologist
Teenagers through older adults
Neuropsychological evaluations include dementia and other neurological concerns, ADHD, and Learning Disabilities
Other Specializations: Cognitive Rehabilitation
Dr. Zaccheo obtained his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (APA accredited), and subsequently completed an accredited two-year neuropsychology residency at a private practice. His training included individuals across the lifespan presenting with varied referral concerns such as dementia, mild cognitive impairment, traumatic brain injury, central nervous system tumors, stroke, epilepsy, and ADHD.
To contact him or for a copy of his CV, please email vzaccheo@bostonmetronp.com
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