Generally, a neuropsychologist will have obtained a doctoral degree in psychology, and will then specialize in neuropsychology. They will do what they call a post-doctoral fellowship, which usually runs 2 years, working under another neuropsychologist or in a rehabilitation program, depending on what your focus is. Doing that for another 2 years, specifically focusing on learning neuropsychological assessment, learning how the brain functions, neuroanatomy, learning neuropsychological interventions, So it's a doctoral degree plus 2 years of training to be able to function as a neuropsychologist. There is a certification that you can get and get board certified in neuropsychology. It's not required, at this point, to practice as a neuropsychologist. You can get licensed and practice with the doctoral degree and 2 years post-doc. The board certification is just a higher level of competency assessment.
So the brain interests you? Learn more about what it takes to become a neuropsychologist.
Posted on BrainLine February 7, 2011.
About the author: Celeste Campbell, PsyD
Dr. Celeste Campbell is a neuropsychologist in the Polytrauma Program at the Washington, DC Veterans Administration Medical Center. She has a long history of providing cognitive psychotherapy and developing residential behavioral management programs for children and adults.
Produced by Victoria Tilney McDonough and Brian King, BrainLine.
