Neuropsychology Service

The Neuropsychology service supports people to live well with neurological conditions. For some people with neurological conditions or illnesses, getting a diagnosis can be a challenging time. For others, different stages of their condition over time can be difficult. For others, changes in their cognition (thinking, memory, attention, language, perception, processing of information, executive functions), or in their emotions or behaviour can be confusing, distressing and impact on their everyday living, their overall quality of life and that of their family.

The Neuropsychology service in SVUH offers specialist assessments to better understand and manage these changes and challenges. The Neuropsychology service also offers a range of psychological interventions and therapy to support people in adjusting to and dealing with the psychological aspects of their neurological conditions.

The Clinical Neuropsychologist is actively involved in clinical research and service audits within both the SVUH Neurology and Psychology Departments, regularly contributes to teaching on academic courses across Irish Universities and supports trainee clinical psychologist placements and research.

What will happen when I attend the Neuropsychology service?

If you are referred to the SVUH Neuropsychology Service, you will receive an appointment letter to meet with a Clinical Neuropsychologist in St Vincent’s University Hospital Neurology Department. At your first appointment, together we will work out how the Neuropsychology Service can be most helpful. We will do a detailed clinical assessment, including a clinical interview, and if appropriate, questionnaires about your mood and emotions, and pen and paper cognitive screening measures. By the end of the first appointment, we will discuss and agree a plan. This may involve arranging to meet again for a more detailed assessment of your cognition (thinking, memory, attention, language, perception, processing of information, executive functions), mood and behaviour, or agreeing to work together using psychological therapeutic principles to support you in managing your emotions or if appropriate, referring you to a different service that may better meet your needs.

A more detailed neuropsychological assessment can involve meeting with the neuropsychologist, using standardized pen and paper, table-top or computerized neuropsychological measures that can help us understand your thinking, language, attention and memory, and understanding how you function in your everyday life. This sometimes involves the neuropsychologist speaking to someone who knows you well in the home environment also, with your consent. A feedback appointment will be arranged to help explain what the assessment found and discuss individualized strategies and tips to help manage any difficulties that you might be having.

Neuropsychology intervention can involve working individually with the person, using evidence-based talking therapies. At times, it might also include family members, if appropriate. Group work is also being developed as an option for neuropsychological intervention.

How to access the service:

Referral to the Neuropsychology Service is via your Consultant Neurologist or Clinical Nurse Specialist. Neurology Administration contact details: 01 2213830/ 01 2214209.

Meet our psychologists:

Dr Sarah Casey, Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist in Neurology

Dr Sarah Casey, Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist in Neurology

Sarah is a Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. Sarah champions a compassionate, person-centred, rights-based approach in her clinical neuropsychology work with patients of the Neurology Department and their families and carers. She also endeavours to promote and develop the profession of clinical neuropsychology in Ireland. Prior to joining SVUH, Sarah amassed extensive experience delivering neuropsychological rehabilitation and psychological support services to individuals with acquired brain injury and their families and carers. Sarah is a Chartered Clinical Neuropsychologist of the Psychological Society of Ireland’s Division of Neuropsychology, and served a 2-year term as Chair of this Division. In 2022, Sarah was elected to PSI Council, the governing board of the Society. Sarah has partnered with Division of Neuropsychology colleagues as co-lead in the development of the Adult Specialist Competencies Framework for Clinical Neuropsychology in Ireland, launched in May 2024.

Sarah has peer-reviewed publications in neuroscience and neuropsychology and was instrumental in establishing the PSI DoN Early Career Award for neuropsychology research. Sarah delivers academic workshops on clinical neuropsychology to psychology practitioner trainees on clinical (UCD, TCD) and counselling (TCD) doctoral programmes, as well as students from a number of Master’s programmes (UCD). At a national level, Sarah represents the Division of Neuropsychology on the HSE’s NCP for Rehabilitation Medicine HSCP Working Group. Sarah is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a member of the British Neuropsychological Society, and a founding member of the Functional Neurological Disorder Society.

Dr Laura Davenport, Clinical Psychologist in Neurology

Laura is a Clinical Psychologist working in the Neuropsychology Service at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. She works with patients of the SVUH Neurology Department to provide a range of psychological services. Laura carries out comprehensive neuropsychological assessments to support people in understanding and managing cognitive, fatigue, and mood difficulties they may be experiencing related to their neurological condition. Laura also provides psychological interventions tailored to each individual’s needs. Laura advocates for a patient-centred approach and is focused on supporting people to live well with their neurological condition.

Laura is committed to providing evidence-based psychological care for patients. She has a keen interest in research and has published peer-reviewed academic papers in neuropsychology. Laura was previously awarded the PSI Division of Neuropsychology Early Career Award for neuropsychology research.

Dr Clodagh Cremen, Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist in Stroke

Clodagh is a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist and is responsible for the establishment of a newly funded psychology service for stroke patients at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. Clodagh advocates for a person-centred and rights-based approach to healthcare. She has a special interest in social inclusion broadly and aims to champion innovative EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) based initiatives in her service delivery. Clodagh has worked extensively in acute and community-based neurorehabilitation and psychiatric services, providing psychological support to people living with various neurological conditions and their families. She brings a compassionate and trauma informed lens to her work and aims to support her patients in their recovery journey.

Clodagh is a Chartered Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). She was previously a committee member of the Division of Clinical Psychology and is currently a committee member of the Division of Neuropsychology. She has also provided teaching and training to several university programs (DCU/UL) and state bodies. Clodagh is committed to the provision of evidence-based healthcare and supporting research-based initiatives.