Dr. Molly Schafer is a Clinical Neuropsychologist

who has over sixteen years of experience in neuropsychological assessment and treatment.  

Practice locations include St Vincent’s Private Clinic and the Sydney Adventist Hospital Clinic.

What is Neuropsychology?

Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between the brain and behavior.  More specifically, it examines how damage to the brain from an internal event, such as a stroke or an external event, such as a car accident has an impact on a person’s behavior.  Brain damage can affect a person’s thinking skills, such as their attention, memory, problem solving and reasoning skills.  It may cause changes to a person’s personality, such as increased irritability, or to their mood state, such as anxiety or depression.  In some cases, damage to the brain has an impact on all three of these areas.

What are Neuropsychological Disorders?

A neuropsychological disorder is impairment in the functioning of a person’s brain due to damage.  This brain damage can be caused by an external event, such as a car accident or a fall.  Or, it can be caused by internal events in the brain, such as a stroke or dementia. 

What is the Purpose of a Neuropsychological Assessment?

The general purpose of a neuropsychological assessment is to determine whether damage to the brain has had an effect on a person’s thinking skills, personality or mood state.  The assessment is conducted to diagnose whether a person is suffering from a particular disorder and if so, to evaluate their prognosis for recovery.  This information can then be used to plan a course of treatment and/or recommend support for them in their home and work environments.