Welcome.
I offer expert neuropsychological, sleep, and insomnia assessments to help get diagnostic clarity and plan a path forward.
My Services
Neuropsychological Assessments
Neuropsychological assessments are essential for understanding the cognitive (thinking), emotional (feeling), and behavioural effects of various medical conditions. They provide valuable insights into how these conditions impact daily functioning and can assist in guiding personalised management plans. Through a combination of clinical interviews, specialised tests, and behavioural observations, I can offer a detailed picture of cognitive strengths and weaknesses. To this end, I provide diagnostic neuropsychological assessments for a broad variety of conditions personalised for each individual. My expertise include, but are not limited to, cognitive difficulties due to sleep disturbances, substance abuse and addiction, psychiatric disorders, head injuries, strokes, as well as dementia syndromes (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease). I also provide assessments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for adults.
Sleep & Insomnia Assessments
I offer clinical assessments and practical, behavioural interventions for insomnia and other sleep disorders coupled with psychological support. Although cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) informs my approach to a large extent, I also incorporate other approaches based on the unique needs of the individual. Therefore, as a starting point, I take a comprehensive and detailed history – I spend sufficient time with each individual to understand their unique circumstances, symptoms, needs, and concerns. I consider both night-time and daytime factors affecting sleep difficulties. Following the initial consultation, I work with patients on a practical programme with the aim to improve sleep along with daytime functioning. Importantly, I work collaboratively with patients, not prescriptively. I am experienced in scoring and interpreting polysomnograms (sleep studies) and consider this along with any other medical information available in diagnosis and management of each person.
Support for Families
I provide support for individuals/families with a loved one who has been diagnosed with neurological/neuropsychological conditions (for example, dementia, head injury). I understand that living with neurological problems does not just affect the person experiencing them, but also the entire family system. Living alongside someone with these conditions can have a profound effect on family relationships, how households function, and the emotional well-being of everyone involved. By providing support to loved ones, I aim to bridge the gap between clinical diagnosis and practical understanding, offering insights into the disease process, treatment, and strategies for coping. This can equip families with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the challenges together, and hopefully foster better resilience for the family as a whole.
Statistics & Research
I offer specialised research and statistics services to support students, researchers, academics, and corporate professionals across a variety of different disciplines. My services include all aspects of conducting research, from the inception of the project, to the final interpretation of results. This includes research design, data collection, and statistical analyses. I can assist with a single, multiple, or all components of a research project or statistical analyses, to ensure the process is efficient and scientifically-sound. I also have extensive experience in developing and validating assessments and questionnaires. In addition, I can also complement these services with my subject matter expertise as a clinician-scientist. In this context, I have expertise in the realms of psychology, neuropsychology, behavioural neuroscience, and psychiatry.
About me
I am a multidisciplinary clinical neuropsychologist and sleep scientist dedicated to the care of individuals from all walks of life. With a wealth of experience in both the private and public health sectors, my mission is to provide expert assistance to patients, their families, and referring clinicians through specialised, assessments, diagnoses, and psychoeducation. I have gained local and international experience in various domains throughout my clinical journey, including neuropsychology, psychology, sleep medicine, and psychiatry. I also have experience in clinical research focusing on areas such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. The combination of clinical training and research experience has given me unique insights into the intersection between health, mental health, and behaviour, enriching my clinical approach and care.
Qualifications
BA Psychology (SU)
Honours, Psychology (UCT)
MA Clinical Neuropsychology (UCT)
PhD Neuropsychology (UCT)
Affiliations
Health Professions Council of South Africa
Board of Healthcare Funders
SA HIV Clinicians Society
American Psychological Association
Positions
Clinical Neuropsychologist, Private Practice
Researcher, Department of Psychology, UCT
Sleep Scientist, UCT Sleep Sciences
Get in Touch
Prospective Patients
Please feel free to contact me if you want to learn more about how I can be of assistance in your clinical care. I invite you to also read through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section to get immediate answers to common questions.
Referring Clinicians
If you are a clinician considering or wanting to make a referral, please click below to learn more and get in touch.
Alternatively, and for any other queries, please complete the form below
Contact me.
Please fill out the form or contact me directly via email or Whatsapp. Unfortunately I cannot take calls while I am in session.
I invite you to also read through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section to get immediate answers to common questions.
In the event of an emergency, please proceed to the nearest emergency centre.
mariza@synapseneuropsychology.com
+27635143022