POSITIVE CHANGE: “Our dedicated staff specializes in comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological testing and treatment for school age children and adults of all ages. We believe in a personalized approach, which is direct, problem-oriented, and solution-focused, and which can be individualized and/or family oriented.” Shown, from left, are Bridget Mayer, Psy.D.; Kaitlin Riegler, Ph.D.: and Rosemarie Scolaro Moser, Ph.D. of the Princeton Neuropsychology at RSM-Sports Concussion Center of New Jersey.

By Jean Stratton

Winter blues, ADHD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, chronic headaches, autism, learning and memory difficulties, dementia, concussions, difficult behaviors, and personality changes — all of these conditions may be related to neuropsychological problems. And they are all the types of disorders that can be assessed and treated by the Princeton Neuropsychology at RSM-Sports Concussion Center of New Jersey.

Located at 100 Canal Pointe Boulevard, Suite 210 at the MarketFair Mall, the center focuses on evaluation and treatment of a very wide range of cognitive, emotional, and physical disorders that are often inter-connected.

Established in 1999 by Director Rosemarie Scolaro Moser, Ph.D., it offers the hope of positive change for people of all ages who are coping with many mental and physical challenges.

Neuropsychology combines the knowledge of brain neurology (the study of the nervous system) with psychology (the study of the mind) and how this affects behavior, explains Moser, board-certified neuropsychologist, who received her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Behavioral Changes

Neuropsychologists look at how a brain injury or illness can affect daily life and many aspects of behavior. They conduct evaluations to identify behavioral and cognitive changes, resulting from central nervous system disease, developmental problems, or injury.

Moser and the staff of two other neuropsychologist doctors, including Bridget Mayer, Psy.D. and Kaitlin Riegler, Ph.D., treat workplace and military injuries, school-related problems, and sports injuries, as well as the numerous other cognitive/physical issues that affect many people. Their youngest patients are 6 years old and their oldest are over 90.

“Helping people and making a difference in their lives is our motivation,” points out Moser. “People come to us when they really want help, and we do our best to help them.”

“I was always interested in psychology, and in graduate school I also became interested in the specialty of neuropsychology,” adds Riegler. “I saw this as an important way to help people bridge the mind and body connection.”

And as Mayer points out, “Psychology is learning about the mind, and neurology is about the nervous system. When they are combined, we can learn even more. And every day, every case, every person is different. And underlying everything is our desire to help people achieve their best functioning.”

Patients may be referred to the center by physicians, therapists, schools and universities, sports teams, counselors, or friends and associates. Some patients learn about the center online, as they seek help.

All About Them

There is an initial consultation to assess each individual’s situation, says Moser. “This can take an hour or so as we inquire about the person’s life: childhood, school, work, social life, relationship with family and friends. We want to get a full picture. We really need to know all about them if we are going to be able to assist them. They are willing to answer our questions because they truly are motivated to learn about their difficulties and make a positive change.”

After the consultation, a lengthy testing and evaluation process, including neuropsychological and psychological testing, will help to identify possible learning, reading, attention, and developmental disorders, autism, memory problems, traumatic and acquired brain injury, and brain diseases.

The selection of tests depends on the individual’s presenting concerns, explain the doctors. Psychological and personality testing helps to measure intellectual abilities, behaviors, and emotional mood. Academic testing measures achievement skills, and is helpful when a student is experiencing significant learning difficulties in school that do not improve with regular school interventions. A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation that combines all these tests with neuropsychological tests that measure memory, attention, sensory-motor skills, right-left brain differences, and reasoning abilities can provide the best solution. 

Treatment can include many different procedures depending on the condition. It can range from counseling and psychotherapy with training in breathing and relaxation exercises and meditation, to pain management to academic coaching to help improve organizational, attention, and executive functioning skills, and to reduce procrastination.

Supportive Environment

For an individual who has sustained brain disease, brain injury, or concussion, cognitive remediation or rehabilitation can be indicated to improve brain functions.

For a person who may be experiencing emotional difficulties related to brain function, psychotherapy is recommended. This treatment is grounded in dialogue and provides a supportive environment that allows the patient to talk openly with someone who is objective and nonjudgmental. Problem-solving and learning rational strategies and ways of thinking help reduce anxiety.

In addition, consultations with other healthcare providers may be recommended.

Individual sessions are primarily virtual, and typically last 45 minutes of less. The center also provides group treatment sessions that can be 60 minutes, and are also usually provided virtually. The number of sessions for a weekly group depends on the topic or objective of the group therapy. Many individuals do well in such a setting, according to the doctors. Executive Organizational Skills will be the focus for an upcoming group.

Another important aspect of the work at Princeton Neuropsychology is its focus on sports concussion education, identification, treatment, and research.

Awareness of brain health and emotional well-being in athletes from students in school and college, to weekend warriors to professional athletes is increasingly recognized, explains Moser.

“Sports neuropsychologists helped launch the first programs for concussion testing, identification, treatment, and research in professional athletes back in the 1990s. Soon after, we brought those programs to youth and amateur sports.” Moser now serves as the president of the Sports Neuropsychology Society, an international organization focused on brain health in athletes.

Master Controller

“Keeping athletes’ brains healthy is not an easy task. Yet it is critical to emotional well-being,” adds Mayer. “The brain is an extraordinary, complex organ composed of billions of nerve cells called neurons. These nerve cells connect to send electrochemical messages throughout the nervous system.

“Basically, the brain is the master controller of everything your body does and feels. Your sensations, movements, thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. When your brain neurochemistry gets rattled, all kinds of quirky symptoms can occur: physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional.”

Princeton Neuropsychology is involved in ongoing education and has a long history of conducting research on the brain, report the doctors.

It is encouraging to patients that the spacious office offers a warm atmosphere and light-filled setting. As Moser points out, “An important part of patient care and comfort is the office environment and the first person you see, especially in these days of high stress. We are fortunate to have Cate Mann as our office manager. She is welcoming, sensitive, patient, and helpful.”

For those facing difficult physical, cognitive, academic, or emotional challenges, which interfere with what they hope to accomplish in life, Princeton Neuropsychology is available to help them identify the challenges, set goals, and move forward toward a sense of confidence and wellbeing.

The center is open Monday through Friday by appointment. For further information, call (609) 895-1070, and visit the website at princetonneuropsychology.com.