Neuropsychology Division

Introduction

The USF Health Neuropsychology Division provides comprehensive neuropsychological services to the community through several practice locations in the Tampa Bay area.

Neuropsychological services are provided to individuals with known or suspected brain dysfunction. A vast array of conditions may impact brain function including, but not limited to, neurological disease or syndromes, neuropsychiatric diseases as well as systematic diseases (systemic lupus erythemitosis). Disorders may be acquired (concussions and traumatic brain injuries, electrocution, oxygen deprivation) or developmental/genetic.

Programmatic services are available for individuals with:

• Acquired brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Concussion
• Epilepsy and seizures
• Cerebrovascular disease and stroke
• Dementias and mild cognitive impairment and aging
• Movement disorders (For example, Parkinson's disease, Essential Tremor, Tourette's disorder, dystonias, and torticollis as well as other conditions)
• Neuro-oncology and brain tumors
• Systematic diseases affecting the brain or central nervous system
• Genetic diseases affecting the central nervous system

Specialty clinics with research programmatic activities are currently available in:

• Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury
  The Neuropsychology Concussion Management Program is associated with the Sports Medicine and Athletic Related Trauma (SMART) Institute, which is part of the Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at USF Health.
  
  SMART is an Institute "funded by the Florida legislature to improve sports safety and reduce needless deaths on the playing and practice fields." For a list of all SMART outreach programs, please click the link above.
• Epilepsy and Seizures
  Comprehensive neuropsychological services are available for epilepsy and seizures, and neuropsychology faculty are members of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at USF Health, Department of Neurology and Tampa General Hospital (TGH). Neuropsychological evaluations assist to predict cognitive and behavioral outcome from neurological surgery to treat medically refractory (intractable) epilepsy, identify cognitive and behavioral (neuropsychological) deficits that can be associated with epilepsy and/or seizures, and also monitor the neuropsychological effects of medical and surgical therapies over time.
• Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS) surgery for Movement Disorders
  Comprehensive neuropsychological services are available for movement disorders and specifically guided protocols for surgical therapies (DBS) of movement disorders. Neuropsychology faculty members consult with Neurology and Neurosurgery faculty of the Movement Disorder Program of USF Health, Department of Neurology. Neuropsychological evaluations assist to predict cognitive and behavioral outcome from neurological surgery (DBS, surgical ablation) for movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Essential Tremor, etc.). Neuropsychological evaluations also identify cognitive and behavioral (neuropsychological) deficits that can be associated with movement disorders (e.g., dementia). Finally, the neuropsychological effects of medical and surgical therapies can be monitored over time.
• Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
  Comprehensive neuropsychological services are available for individuals with dementias and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Neuropsychology Faculty are directly involved with the USF Memory Disorders Clinic (MDC) of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Johnnie B. Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute.

Clinical services are available for children and adults throughout the life span.

Referral and Appointment Information

For Health Providers

If you are a doctor or allied health colleague, please download our Referral Form (PDF).

For Patients

If you are a patient and want to schedule an appointment, please visit our Appointment Information page. (Available Soon)

USF HEALTH does the Health Insurance Pre-Authorization

USF HEALTH will complete all pre-authorization needed for neuropsychology services. Simply make a referral, send pertinent medical records, and USF Health will take care of the rest. By making a referral to the USF Health Neuropsychology Division, you or your staff will not need to spend time attempting to get the neuropsychological evaluation pre-authorized.

Insurance Coverage for Neuropsychology Services

Clinical Neuropsychology services are covered under medical insurance. Typically, coverage is as a neurological procedure under a patient's medical insurance coverage. Some insurance companies prefer to consider Neuropsychological procedures as a mental health service, but this is only accurate if the patient has a mental health issue and not a neurological (medical) problem being evaluated.

Faculty

• Mike R. Schoenberg, PhD, ABPP-CN
  Licensed Psychologist, FL# PY 7815
  Division Chief, Neuropsychology Program
  Diplomate, American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology
  Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  Associate Professor of Neurology
  Clinical Division: Adult and Pediatric Clinical Neuropsychology
  Specialty interests in Epilepsy, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery, Dementias, Brain Tumors, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, and Neuropsychological Aspects of Medications and Neurosurgical Treatment.
  Child and adolescent services in Epilepsy, Brain Tumor, Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
  
  
• Michelle Mattingly, PhD, ABPP-CN
  Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  Diplomate, American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology
  Clinical Neuropsychologist
  Coordinator, Memory Disorders Clinic
  Clinical Division: Adult and Pediatric Clinical Neuropsychology
  Specialty interests in Dementia, Sports Concussion, Forensic Neuropsychology, Traumatic Brain Injury, Carbon Monoxide Exposure, Pediatric and Adult Brain Tumors and Cancers Affecting the Central Nervous System, Seizure Disorders, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Parkinson's Disease and Stroke.
  
  
• Eric Rinehardt, PhD
  Research Scientist
  Instructor, Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  University of South Florida College of Medicine
  3515 E. Fletcher Ave.
  Tampa, FL 33613
  813-974-8900 - Office
  813-974-3223 - FAX
  

Practice Locations

	North Tampa Neuropsychology Clinic/Memory Disorder Clinic Johnnie B. Byrd Jr. Center for Alzheimer's Disease Building 4001 E. Fletcher Ave. Tampa, FL 33613	View Map
	South Tampa Neuropsychology Clinic USF Health South Tampa Center for Advanced Healthcare 2 Tampa General Circle Tampa, FL 336006	View Map

What is a Clinical Neuropsychologist?

A Clinical Neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist specializing in the area of brain-behavior relationships.

The Neuropsychologist has specialty training in:

• Neuropsychology
• Brain anatomy
• Brain function
• Brain injury and
• Brain recovery.

The clinical neuropsychologist uses neurological, cognitive, behavioral, psychological, and physiological principles, techniques, and tests to evaluate neurocognitive functioning (how well you process information), behavioral functioning (how well you can complete day to day activities), and emotional functioning (how you are feeling).

Clinical Neuropsychologists use this knowledge to assist in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with:

• Neurological diseases and acquired brain injuries (involving the brain and nerves),
• Neurodevelopmental problems (how the brain/nervous system develops and changes as people age),
• Psychiatric illnesses, and
• Other medical conditions (i.e., organ transplant candidates, heart disease, autoimmune diseases).

What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

A neuropsychological evaluation involves administering various tests of cognitive, motor, and perceptual skills that are sensitive to problems in brain functioning.



The types of tests you will take depend upon the questions you and your physician have.

A neuropsychological evaluation often measures:

• Attention and Concentration
• Learning and memory
• Reasoning and problem-solving
• Visual-spatial functions
• Language and speaking ability
• Sensory-perceptual and Motor functions
• Academic skills
• Emotional functioning

What are the tests like?

Neuropsychological tests are not invasive; that is, they do not involve attaching you to machines or using X-rays. Commonly, the tests involve a question-and-answer format and/or working with materials on a table. Some tests are administered using a computer.

Who will do the tests

The testing can be performed by the Clinical Neuropsychologist or by a specially trained Psychometrist. The Clinical Neuropsychologist will also spend some time taking with you about your medical, personal, and vocational/school history. The Clinical Neuropsychologist will also frequently ask you for permission to speak to a relative or friend of yours in order to provide the doctor with additional information about your day-to-day level of functioning from someone else's perspective.

How long does Neuropsychological Testing take?

The total time of the neuropsychological evaluation will vary and depends on the questions that you and your physician have.

As an example, the total time for patients undergoing a pre-surgical evaluation for medically intractable epilepsy (seizure disorder) is typically four (4) to five (5) hours. Evaluations completed for the Memory Disorder Clinics are often shorter, lasting anywhere from two (2) to four (4) hours. Not all of the time in the neuropsychology clinic is spent doing tests. You will always speak with the doctor during your visit. Longer evaluations six (6) to eight (8) hours are sometimes needed in special cases. Longer evaluations are sometimes divided into several appointments. You are free to take as many breaks during the evaluation as you would like. We strive to make you comfortable, and the doctor will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

What happens AFTER I take all these tests?

At the end of testing, the neuropsychologist frequently can provide you with the initial test results. Each individual test must be scored, then all the tests must be interpreted based on your unique medical, personal, and vocational/school history. The interpretation is provided in the form of a consultation report that is submitted to the referring party (often a physician) who referred you for the neuropsychology consultation. If you request, you will also receive a copy of the consultation report. Often times, your referring physician will go over the results of the evaluation with you, very much like your doctor will review lab results you may have to check for high cholesterol in your blood. In addition to discussing results with your referring physician, you may also schedule an appointment with the clinical neuropsychologist to obtain additional feedback about your neuropsychological functioning if you are interested.

Contact Information

For general questions about clinical neuropsychology services at USF Health, you may contact Mike R. Schoenberg, PhD, ABPP-CN (Licensed Psychologist, FL# PY 7815) at (813) 974-8900.

Related Neuropsychology Links

• American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology
• American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology
• American Epilepsy Society
• American Psychological Association
• American Psychological Association, Division 40 - Neuropsychology
• International Neuropsychological Association
• National Academy of Neuropsychology
• University of South Florida Health
• University of South Florida College of Medicine
• University of South Florida Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• University of South Florida Department of Neurology
• University of South Florida Department of Neurosurgery
• University of South Florida Comprehensive Epilepsy Program