OPTIMIND INTRODUCES NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT SERVICES.
Dr Fiona Fisher is an experienced Clinical Neuropsychologist with over 10 years’ experience in the assessment and management of a wide range of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Fiona has specialist knowledge in the areas of geriatric and neuropsychiatric assessment and management, as well as acquired and progressive brain injury rehabilitation. She also provides decision-making capacity assessments and medico-legal assessments for clients requiring expert opinions related to Powers of Attorney, VCAT or other legal proceedings.
Fiona has a special interest in cognitive and behavioural interventions for the management of cognitive, behavioural and emotion symptoms that occur as a result of brain injury or brain disease. Her approach is holistic, utilising a bio-psycho-social approach to cognitive and behavioural interventions. Interventions are tailored to the individual, with a key focus on maximising strengths and facilitation of positive engagement within social contexts. She also incorporates ACT and mindfulness-based therapy to maximise positive psychological outcomes for clients.
In addition to her private practice work at OPTIMIND, she is a well-established senior clinician in the public health system and supervisor of postgraduate clinical and research students. She has authored a number of peer reviewed journal articles in the areas of neuropsychology assessment and intervention.
Neuropsychological services can be useful in the diagnosis (including determining the current impact of brain change) and management of:
- Behavioural and psychological problems stemming from altered brain function
- Neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, young-onset dementias, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease).
- Traumatic or acquired brain injury • Cerebrovascular accident (stroke) • Neurological disorders (e.g. epilepsy, brain tumour)
- Neuropsychiatric disorders, other mental health conditions and substance abuse (e.g., alcohol or drug use)
- Previously unidentified developmental and learning disorders in adults (e.g. Intellectual disability, dyslexia)
- Other medical illnesses that can affect cognitive function (e.g. autoimmune disorders or endocrine dysfunction)
