Neuropsychological
The science of neuropsychology examines the brain-behavior relationship. Clinical neuropsychological assessment clarifies this relationship and provides a comprehensive picture of an individual; it assists with diagnoses and gives insight into the best treatment recommendations. The actual neuropsychological assessment involves a clinical interview, review of records, and testing (question-and-answer and hands-on activities). The entire neuropsychological assessment can take between a few hours to a whole day, depending upon the referral question, circumstance surrounding the assessment, and individual needs.
Dr. Layman conducts neuropsychological evaluations for adults and seniors. He uses state-of-the-art neuropsychological methods and norms-based testing tools to assess individual functioning. Common referral questions include:
Psychological Assessment
Psychological evaluations are often used in medical and psychiatric situations. They are often much shorter than a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and are often specific to a medical or psychiatric question. Dr. Layman utilizes state-of-the-art measurement tools and interview techniques in his assessment. Types of assessments include:
Individual and Couples Psychotherapy
Dr. Layman approaches psychotherapy from a practical whole-person perspective. He utilizes an integrative approach of Mindfulness-based Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies and Humanistic principles. He helps individuals identify the true problems that interfere with their personal satisfaction and wellbeing. He is active in the therapeutic process; he trains individuals in the use of internal and external resources to effectively handle the issues at hand, establish attainable goals, and to transcend the obstacles. He specializes in trauma, loss, and relationship issues. Dr. Layman helps individuals come-to-terms with the past, build a solid ground in the present, and create a meaningful future worth living. He works with adolescents, adults, and seniors.
Medically-Complicated Psychological Interventions
Dr. Layman works with individuals coping with a wide range of difficulties. His training, skills, and experience adds to his effectiveness treating psychological and emotional issues identified by treating doctors (such as primary care physicians, neurologists, and psychiatrists). His collaborative approach with physicians has enabled him to effectively and successfully address a wide range of hard-to-treat medically-related psychological conditions including:
Pain Management
Some individuals deal with pain that does not go away after the medical condition is stabilized. Pain can be debilitating and significantly detract from quality of life of affected individuals and their loved ones. Dr. Layman provides education and interventions that help relieve and manage the pain experience, including lifestyle and relaxation training. He also works closely with pain management specialists (such as anesthesiologists, psychiatrists) to complement medical interventions.
Adjustment-Based Psychotherapy
Individuals with brain injuries, movement disorders, chronic medical illness, trauma history, or loss of a loved one may find themselves struggling with adjustment difficulties with daily life. Dr. Layman has expertise working with complicated adjustment issues and is skilled at facilitating resolve and wellbeing.
Cognitive Skill Building
It is not uncommon for individuals with a brain injury to think, "I can do this, I always have," only to find out later that they cannot. This can be extremely upsetting. After all, we need our brain to think, so when the brain is injured it becomes hard to anticipate how functional difficulties might show up in the routine of life, which is very frustrating when mistakes are made. For individuals dealing with brain injury, early dementia, or just having difficulties being effective in life, Dr. Layman provides strategies and work-arounds designed to optimize thinking organization and memory. He helps individuals "raise their game" in their daily life.
Trauma Therapy
Psychological trauma can be caused by a number of sources: physical, mental, or emotional insults; real or perceived threats to self; and real or perceived threats to others. Most traumatic experiences reduce in intensity over time, naturally. However, some traumatic experiences pick up energy over time with repeated exposures or upsetting thoughts and dreams experienced by the individual. Indeed, psychological trauma can be more devastating and debilitating than any physical trauma. Psychotherapy, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is considered the best known intervention for post-traumatic stress and acute stress reactions. Dr. Layman provides CBT interventions in a practical and compassionate manner designed to relieve the symptoms and neutralize the stress reaction.
Medicolegal Neuropsychological IME
Brain injured individuals may be involved with legal matters. Dr. Layman provides objective Neuropsychological IMEs for civil litigation and mental capacity determinations. Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologists are often asked to provide a Neuropsychological Independent Medical Examination (IME) to help clarify the nature and extent of the injury on thinking, feeling, and functioning. Referrals are usually made by attorneys representing involved parties.
Clinical
Rehabilitation Care
People who suffer severe injury or illness often require treatment by rehabilitation care providers (such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, rehabilitation doctors, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, case managers, and home health care). Dr. Layman has experience participating on rehabilitation teams and he consults regularly with other care providers and physicians contributing to the overall well being of individuals with disabilities. For example, for brain injured individuals, he provides information about the most effective ways to engage and communicate with the individual, to overcome motivational issues, to identify work-arounds to memory problems, to optimize organization and planning skills, and to manage concerns involving impulse and initiation.
Behavioral Management Strategies
It is not uncommon for people with brain injury or dementia to have some behavioral difficulties, such as being automatic or impulsive in actions, speaking before thinking things through, and avoiding or not initiating appropriate routines. Dr. Layman provides individual and family with strategies and activities to help shape more effective behaviors and routines.