Difference between a psychologist, neuropsychologist, and neurologist: know who to seek out.

When questions arise related to mental health or brain function, the question often arises: which professional should I seek? Psychologist, neuropsychologist, or neurologist? Understanding the difference between these areas is fundamental to seeking the most appropriate care. Furthermore, knowing the role of each helps avoid unnecessary referrals and optimizes treatment. What does a psychologist do? A psychologist is a professional specializing in human behavior, emotions, and mental processes. Their work involves different approaches and contexts. For example:

• Undergoing psychotherapy to address emotional, behavioral, and relational issues.
• To administer psychological tests to assess aspects such as personality, intelligence, and career orientation.
• To work in schools, clinics, hospitals and companies, developing projects to promote mental health. Clinical example: A person with generalized anxiety may seek a psychologist to begin a therapeutic process aimed at reducing emotional symptoms. What does a neuropsychologist do? A neuropsychologist is a psychologist specializing in neuropsychology. They investigate the relationship between the brain and behavior, using specific assessments to identify cognitive and emotional changes. In addition, they work on intervention planning. Its main activities include:
• Conduct neuropsychological assessments using tests that analyze memory, attention, language, and executive functions.
• To assist in the diagnosis of disorders such as ADHD, ASD, dementia, and sequelae of traumatic brain injuries.
• Suggest cognitive rehabilitation strategies when necessary. Clinical example: A child with concentration and learning difficulties may be referred for a neuropsychological evaluation to clarify the situation. What does a neurologist do? A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. Their work is clinical and includes the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions. For example:
• To diagnose and treat diseases such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Request imaging tests such as CT scans and MRI scans.
• Prescribe medications to control neurological symptoms. Clinical example: A patient experiencing seizures should seek a neurologist for medical investigation and medication treatment. What is the difference between a neuropsychologist and a neurologist? The main difference between a neuropsychologist and a neurologist lies in their training and area of expertise.
• A neuropsychologist is a specialized psychologist who studies the relationship between the brain and behavior. They work in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and cognitive rehabilitation.
• A neurologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats neurological diseases, being responsible for clinical and imaging examinations and prescribing medications. Comparative example: In cases of dementia, the neurologist makes the medical diagnosis and guides pharmacological treatment, while the neuropsychologist assesses the cognitive impacts and suggests behavioral interventions to improve quality of life. When should you seek out each professional? To choose the right specialist, consider the following:
• Psychologist: recommended for emotional or behavioral issues, or to begin psychotherapy.
• Neuropsychologist: recommended when a detailed assessment of cognitive and behavioral functions is needed.
• Neurologist: essential in cases of neurological physical symptoms, such as seizures, tingling, chronic headaches, or motor impairments.