Neuropsychology
Postdoctoral Residency

2 year program

About Our Program

The Northern California Neuropsychology Resident Training Program offers two-year benefited Postdoctoral Residencies that meet the Houston Guidelines for Clinical Practice in Neuropsychology. Successful residents will be eligible for Board Certification in Clinical Neuropsychology or Rehabilitation Psychology. In addition, Residents obtain an excess of supervised professional experience that is required by state licensing boards (obtain 4000 hours when most states require 1500 to 2000). Residents are expected to obtain licensure prior to completing their postdoctoral fellowship and pre-requisite courses and exams are encouraged as part of the fellowship training.

General Principles

The basic training philosophy is a scientist-practitioner model of clinical neuropsychology and neurorehabilitation. The approach to training is an apprentice model with a commitment to training resident to function as independent practitioners by the end of the residency. Training consists of provision of neuropsychological, psychological, and behavioral consultation services to a broad range of inpatients and outpatients within a larger medical system. Diagnoses include traumatic brain injury, cerebral vascular disorder, brain tumor, spinal cord injury, sports concussion, and other neurological conditions.

The resident is provided with opportunities to evaluate and treat culturally diverse patients with a variety of complex neurological and medical conditions. The resident may also have an opportunity to supervise one or two advanced neuropsychology practicum students. In addition, the resident will participate in a variety of scholarly activities that may include research, community outreach, professional presentations, training non-psychologist professionals, and participation in regional neuropsychology case conferences.

Training Goals and Objectives

Residents will obtain the training necessary for both licensure and board certification in neuropsychology and/or rehabilitation psychology. Primary goals focus on industry competency outlined by the Houston guidelines. Goals include acquisition of advanced skills in neuropsychological evaluations, treatment and consultation, advanced understand of brain-behavior relationships, and other scholarly activities including literature reviews, case presentations, or outcome assessments.

Resident Competencies Evaluations and Program Surveys

Each quarter, the Training Directors and Primary Supervisors are responsible for completing Residents’ Competency Evaluations in collaboration with the rest of the training staff. All efforts are made to provide ongoing feedback to residents throughout the year. Competencies evaluated include integration of science and practice, research and program evaluation, individual and cultural diversity, ethical and legal standards, interprofessional and interdisciplinary skills, neuropsychological assessments, teaching and supervision, and behavior management.

Residents also have an opportunity to evaluate this program twice a year, utilizing the online Resident Program Survey.