What is the difference between Psychological and Neuropsychological Evaluation?
Whether an evaluation will be “only psychological” or will be “neuropsychological” is dependent on whether there are cognitive and/or brain injury issues or claims (this being associated only with a neuropsychological assessment).
- Nature of a Psychological Evaluation
- Evaluation of psychiatric diagnoses and personality psychopathology through review of records, clinical interview, administration and interpretation of psychological questionnaires
- Where applicable to legal context: Determination of causation of such, to necessary degree of certainty for legal context/standards of proof
- Typically no cognitive/memory testing
- Includes psychometric evaluation of symptom validity
- Typically lasts one half day, in office/clinic
- Nature of a Neuropsychological Evaluation
- Evaluation of neuropsychiatric diagnoses to include any neurocognitive impairments through review of records, clinical interview, administration and interpretation of neurocognitive tests (and psychological questionnaires)
- Where applicable to legal context: Determination of causation of such, to necessary degree of certainty for legal context/standards of proof
- Does include cognitive/memory testing
- Includes psychometric evaluation of symptom validity and performance validity
- Typically lasts one full day, in office/clinic
Does Dr. Cory travel outside of Bozeman?; outside of Montana?
- Yes. An evaluation may be conducted in cities in Montana other than Bozeman. Portal-to-portal travel time charges apply.
- Yes. Dr. Cory will travel by air to Colorado or Utah (or other states, pending temporary licensure rules governing forensic practice) to conduct a medicolegal evaluation. Portal-to-portal travel time charges apply.
What is an Independent Medical Examination (IME)? What is the nature of a neuropsychological IME?
- “An independent forensic neuropsychological examination, also referred to as an independent medical examination (IME), independent psychological examination, or compulsory examination in some jurisdictions, is performed by a neuropsychologist who is hired as an independent contractor by a third party, such as an insurance company, an attorney, or the court to make a determination regarding neuropsychological functioning… The role of the neuropsychologist when performing an independent neuropsychological examination is narrowly defined. The neuropsychologist has been hired by a third party seeking answers to specific questions related to brain-behavior relationships. In contrast to clinical contexts, the neuropsychologist does not work for the person being examined.” (National Academy of Neuropsychology, 2003)
- In a prospectively medicolegal neuropsychological or psychological evaluation, a doctor-patient (i.e., “treating”) healthcare relationship is not established between Dr. Cory and the examinee. Dr. Cory’s opinions in such a case are based in objective advocacy for the (medicolegal) facts rather than advocacy for improvement of the examinee’s health condition.
What are Dr. Cory’s fees for medicolegal services?
- Forensic Fee Schedule available upon request, in context of possibly or actually retaining Dr. Cory for such services.
- Retainer prepayment is required to begin forensic services, in most circumstances. This is specified in the Engagement Letter provided from Dr. Cory to the retaining third party, which is emailed (pdf) along with the Fee Schedule and Terms of Engagement documents applicable to such services.
Is there an option for an expedited written work product (e.g., evaluation report)?
- Yes. See the Forensic Fee Schedule, available upon request.
What is the importance of a board-certification in a clinical neuropsychologist expert?
- Please see this link.