My Services
I am registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the Board of Healthcare Funders. I provide diagnostic assessments, as well as psychological support for patients and their families. I welcome referrals from, and collaboration with, other clinicians. I am contracted with most major medical aids and charge medical aid rates for consultations. Please see below for a description of the services I offer, and scroll down for more information on what to expect.
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.
What to Expect: For Patients
Neuropsychological Assessments
A neuropsychological assessment typically consists of taking a thorough history of the problems you have been experiencing, as well as completing various neuropsychological tasks. These tasks, for example, assess different aspects of your memory, language, and problem-solving. This assists me in uncovering your personal ‘cognitive profile’, helping me to identify areas where you may be experiencing difficulties, and other areas where you are doing well. It is also useful for tracking any changes in your cognitive profile over time.
The assessment typically lasts between 2 and 2.5 hours.
With your consent, I might ask you to bring along a family member to provide additional information. This is especially useful if there are details about a certain event you cannot remember (e.g., having a stroke, seizure), or any changes that have happened slowly over time that you are not necessarily aware of, for example changes in your memory, mood, or how you move around.
Sleep & Insomnia Assessments
As is the case with all types of assessments I do, I take a detailed approach to sleep and insomnia assessments. Sleep cannot be viewed separately from how you feel, and what you do, during the day. Therefore, I spend enough time understanding the type of problems you have been experiencing, how long they have been going on, as well as any current and future concerns you have.
I provide sleep and insomnia assessments to patients with and without neurological problems
The initial assessment typically lasts up to 1 hour
I will ask you questions about many aspects of your life, not just your sleeping problems. This is because our daily lives have a strong influence in how we behave and how well we sleep at night.
If applicable, follow-up consultations (30 - 55 minutes) can be scheduled for us to work on a practical plan together to try and improve your sleeping difficulties (also called behaviour modification). It is up to you if, and how many, consultations you want to schedule. Everyone is different, but most people benefit from at least 1-3 follow-up consultations.
I offer online sleep and insomnia assessments and follow-up consultations on a case-by-case basis, and where appropriate.
Support for Families
When a family member or loved one gets diagnosed with a serious medical condition (e.g., dementia, stroke) it tends to affect the whole family system. Being in a long-term physical, emotional, and financial supportive role can put families and loved ones under chronic strain. In these types of scenarios I provide support to families and loved ones who are seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the particular condition their loved one has been diagnosed with, as well as what to expect going forward, and, if applicable, practical tools that can help families navigate the difficulties they are encountering in living with, and adapting to, the new family dynamic.
The initial session lasts up to 1 hour.
If applicable, follow-up consultations (30 - 55 minutes) can be scheduled.
I offer online initial and follow-up consultations on a case-by-case basis, and where appropriate.