When you’ve experienced brain dysfunction as a consequence of an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), your trauma may not be obvious.
If your disability is invisible, other people may be unaware of the level of cognitive impairment you’re coping with. This can be frustrating for you and for them.
It can put a strain on personal relationships and make any return to study or the workplace difficult to manage.
A cognitive assessment by a Clinical Neuropsychologist can help by:
Confirming or clarifying your diagnosis
Building a profile of your strengths and weaknesses to guide your rehabilitation
Establishing a baseline to document changes in functioning between assessments
Generating a referral to another type of required health specialist
Our Clinical Neuropsychologists, Dr Kate Elliott, Holly Nelson and Juhi Sanghavi are trained to assess, diagnose and treat conditions caused by an ABI.
Clinical Neuropsychologist Clinical Psychologist
Neuropsychologist | Clinical Psychologist
Cognitive assessments to assist with: Bariatric assessment and support Returning to the workplace after an accident Traumatic Brain Injury (workplace accidents, car accidents, victims of crime) Acquired Brain Injury (strokes, cancer recovery, drug use) Intellectual disability testing
Clinical Psychology for: Adult survivors of abuse Family violence survivors Emotional abuse Eating disorders Generalised anxietyObsessive Compulsive Disorder Panic Disorder Perfectionism Post-natal depression Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Social Anxiety
When I established the clinic, my goal was to build a team of psychologists who genuinely care about improving emotional wellbeing for children and adults in Perth. As Gateway Psychological Services has grown, we’ve introduced more services for more people.Today, the most rewarding part of my work with cognitive assessments and clinical psychology is seeing the difference we make in people’s lives. Through a combination of empathy and perseverance, we help our clients achieve life-changing breakthroughs.
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology Master’s degree in Community Development Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (minor in Children and Family Studies)
I am iron, and I forge myself.
Clinical Neuropsychologist Registrar
Clinical Neuropsychologist | Registrar
Cognitive and diagnostic assessments for: Specific learning disorders (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia) Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Intellectual disability Giftedness and twice-exceptional Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Williams Syndrome Epilepsy Traumatic brain injury Stroke Cerebral palsy
Holly is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions and has special interests in the areas of learning disorders, ADHD, giftedness, intellectual disability and Williams Syndrome. Holly is experienced in providing comprehensive assessments and accurate diagnoses, with clinical experience gained across a number of settings in both Sydney and Perth. Through comprehensive assessments of intellectual, academic, memory and executive functioning skills, parents gain a better understanding their child's strengths and weaknesses, and support strategies are provided to help children reach their full potential.
Holly understands that neurodevelopmental conditions and learning disorders can have significant academic, social, behavioural and psychological impacts. She is passionate about providing targeted evidence-based strategies designed to help individuals improve, or compensate for, deficits in a range of thinking skills (such as concentration, working memory and executive functioning) and learning difficulties. Holly enjoys providing assessment and intervention strategies for children, adolescents and adults to support progress at school, university/vocational studies and work. She is experienced in developing individualised support strategies to help overcome areas of weaknesses with the aim of improving independence, confidence and overall quality of life.
Qualifications and memberships Master of Clinical Neuropsychology Bachelor of Science (Honours) with First Class Honours Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS) Member of The Australian Paediatric Neuropsychology Research Network Professional Member of ADHD WA Professional
We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already.
Clinical Neuropsychologist
Clinical Neuropsychologist
Cognitive assessments to assist with: Acquired Brain Injury (ABI; traumatic brain injury, strokes) Neurological disorders (dementia, Multiple Sclerosis) Intellectual disability/ability testing Dyslexia – i.e. Specific Learning DisorderAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Psychological therapy including: Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) Anxiety (young adults) Depression (young adults) Adjustment post Neurological disorders (Multiple Sclerosis, dementia, stroke, ABI)
With diverse experience gained in private practices in Perth and Canberra, as well as major Sydney hospitals, I enjoy treating clients with a wide range of disorders ranging from children to adults. My hospital work included diagnostic assessments for Autism, ADHD and other learning disorders in children. I also treated adults with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), dementia and other neurological disorders.I have a particular interest in using Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) to help my clients with ABI learn to maximise their cognitive potential.
Master of Clinical Neuropsychology Bachelor of Science (honours) with First Class Honours – Quantitative research Bachelor of Science (Psychology) Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS) Member of College of Clinical Neuropsychologists WA committee
Recovery is not about perfection, it’s about progression.
Contact our helpful reception team for more information.
An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is widely considered to be damage to the brain acquired after birth that results in cognitive impairment. Recognised causes include:
Accidents and trauma
Stroke
Brain tumours
Bacterial or viral infections like meningitis or encephalitis
Lack of oxygen – hypoxia or anoxia
Degenerative neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s, Lewy Bodies disease, Multiple Sclerosis
Our Clinical Neuropsychologist uses scientifically validated tools to understand your brain dysfunction and how it impacts your daily life. At Gateway Psychological Services, our neuropsychological evaluations include the following:
this allows us to gather your relevant historical medical information. We may also review medical records or other reports.
with your permission, family members may be interviewed and asked to share their perceptions on relevant aspects of your history or any observed symptoms.
this is a non-invasive process that typically includes some standardised tests.
You can expect oral questions, paper and pencil tasks and the manipulation of materials such as blocks and puzzles. You may also be given questionnaires relating to your mood, behaviour and personality. Our Clinical Neuropsychologist is trained to integrate these medical, personal and psychological elements to gain a comprehensive understanding of your cognition and quality of life. Your cognitive assessment can also clarify whether the cause of your cognitive impairment is an ABI or the normal aging process.