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Definition of Practice Areas

Adapted from the Definitions of Practice Areas written by the College of Psychologists of Ontario

Neuropsychology

All members of the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists require the following minimum working knowledge base:

• knowledge in the core areas of psychology (MRA standards);
• knowledge of learning;
• knowledge of all relevant ethical, legal and professional issues;
• knowledge of research design and methodology;
• knowledge of statistics; and
• knowledge of psychological measurement.

Neuropsychology is the application of knowledge about brain-behaviour relationships to the assessment, diagnosis and/or treatment of individuals with known or suspected central nervous system dysfunction.

In addition to the above minimum knowledge base, members practising Neuropsychology require the following:

• knowledge of lifespan development;
• knowledge of personality/individual differences;
• knowledge of psychopathology;
• knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology;
• knowledge of human neuropsychology and neuropathology;
• knowledge of psychological assessment;
• knowledge of neuropsychological assessment;
• knowledge of psychodiagnostics;
• knowledge of neuropsychological intervention techniques; and

In addition, practitioners who provide services in Neuropsychology to children and adolescents must have a background in developmental psychology and knowledge of appropriate assessment and therapeutic techniques.

For members practising Neuropsychology the following minimum skills are required:

• the ability to perform an appropriate neuropsychological assessment;
• the ability to formulate and communicate a differential diagnosis; and
• the ability to plan, execute and evaluate an appropriate neuropsychological intervention.