The Impact of Culture on Psych Evaluations in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with people from over 140 countries speaking over 200 languages. This diversity makes it especially important that psychologists conducting psych evals are culturally competent.  

CULTURE INFLUENCES THE WAY YOU PRESENT YOURSELF IN A PSYCH EVALUATION

Culture can have a significant impact on a psych evaluation in a number of ways. First, it can influence the way that people present their symptoms to the psychologist conducting their eval. For example:

• Some cultures place a high value on self-reliance and shame, which can lead people to minimize or deny their symptoms. 

• Other cultures may have different ways of expressing and experiencing mental distress, which can make it difficult for clinicians to make accurate diagnoses.  

• It is normal in many cultures not to share too much personal information, which may lead to underreporting in a psych eval.

• Many cultures are skeptical of Western medicine, or of mental health providers for reasons like religious beliefs or mental health stigma, which can change the way a person speaks to their psychologist in an evaluation.

It’s so important for a psychologist to consider the way culture may impact a patient’s comfort and willingness during a psychological evaluation.  A psychologist should work to build trust and rapport during an interview for a psych eval, to ensure the most accurate testing results.

CULTURE IMPACTS THE WAY TESTS USED IN PSYCH EVALUATIONS ARE DEVELOPED

Cultural variables can also influence the way that psych evaluation tools are developed and used. Here are a few examples: 

• Many psychological tests were originally normed on white, middle-class populations, which means that they may not be accurate for people from other cultural backgrounds or who did not have similar learning opportunities. 

• Some cultures may have different views on what constitutes mental illness, so the measures used may not line up with the patient’s views.

Thankfully, today there is more awareness in general of the cultural biases that can be built into psychological tests, and test creators are using more diverse normative groups to determine what an “average” score looks like on testing.

BOTH PATIENT AND PSYCHOLOGIST CULTURE COME INTO PLAY IN PSYCH EVALS

Identity variables can also influence the way that psychologists and other mental health professionals treat their patients.  Just as each patient has a cultural background that impacts their responses during testing, the psychologist has a cultural background that influences the work as well. Psychologists are trained in science and research methods as well as cultural competence, so they are often aware of common biases to watch out for, but we are all human.  A psych evaluation is designed to minimize cultural bias as much as possible, so that the results are accurate and answer the question that needs answering. Ideally, your psychologist is also aware of the biases they bring into the psych eval, and does their best to minimize the impact of those on the testing and interpretation of results.

COMMON CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A PSYCH EVAL IN LOS ANGELES, CA

Because Los Angeles is large and diverse, there are a few unique cultural challenges that you may have to navigate if you’re seeking a psych evaluation in LA.  Here are some examples:

Language barriers:

Many people in Los Angeles speak a first language other than English, which can create a barrier to communication during psych evaluation, and may impact performance on certain neuropsychological tests. It’s very important to find a culturally competent psychologist who can consider the impact of culture on tests, and ensure that language factors don’t get in the way of accurate testing.

Cultural differences in symptom presentation:

People from different cultures may experience and express mental distress in different ways. For example, some cultures have higher rates of “somatic” symptoms; meaning that emotional distress shows up in physical ways like headaches or stomach problems. A culturally competent neuropsychologist will take these types of variables into consideration.

Cultural differences in attitudes towards mental illness:

Some cultures may have more negative attitudes towards mental illness, which can lead to people delaying or avoiding seeking help. Additionally, some cultures may have different beliefs about the causes of mental illness, which can impact the way that they seek treatment.

In Los Angeles and elsewhere, culture can come from many factors. 

Obviously, country of origin and ethnic identity are cultural variables for many people, but other aspects of identity can affect testing as well.  Other important identity variables include age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, immigrant status, veteran status, and more.  

Ideally, you should seek a psychologist who is culturally competent, which means that they have the knowledge, skills, and awareness to provide effective mental health services to people from different cultural backgrounds. Inclusive and respectful practices will put you at ease in a psych evaluation. This will give you the best odds of getting an accurate and meaningful psych evaluation.

Receive a Psychological Evaluation in Los Angeles, CA

Getting a psychological evaluation from a culturally competent psychologist will ensure you get the most from this experience. Dr. Reger would be happy to offer support with psychological evals and other forms of support from her Los Angeles, CA-based practice. Start testing by following these simple steps:

1. Contact (424) 262-1925 to schedule your appointment

2. Meet with a Los Angeles Psychologist for an evaluation

3. Start receiving the support your loved one deserves

OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES OFFERED BY DR. REGER IN LOS ANGELES, CA

I know that you may encounter more than one mental health concern at a time. This is why I’m happy to offer multiple neuropsychological and psychological assessments in addition to the ADHD assessment. Other assessments include cognitive and dementia testing, pre-surgical assessments, and med-legal evaluations. In addition to evaluations, I also provide individual therapy, counseling for older adults, and mental health consultations and presentations.

Psychologist Speakers and Presenters in Los Angeles, CA

Psychologists often have specialties within the very broad field of psychology. 

For example, I am a clinical psychologist with expertise in neuropsychology, aging, and disability.  This has led me to develop knowledge in many areas, including ADHD, dementia, capacity evaluation, elder abuse, adjustment to disability, PTSD, coping with spinal cord injury, and many other related topics.  In addition to my clinical and consulting work, I’ve taught university courses in psychology, and I now offer regular trainings to other professionals who can benefit from knowledge of psychological topics in their own fields.  I’d like to share with you why psychologists make great presenters and some of the topics I have enjoyed presenting about in the past.

PSYCHOLOGISTS HAVE EXPERTISE IN MANY AREAS

As I mentioned above, a doctorate in clinical psychology requires education in many different areas, and as a result, psychologists often have a broad range of potential presentation topics.  For example:

Mindfulness: 

This is one of my favorite topics to present to various groups, including students, employees, leaders, healthcare workers, caregivers, and lawyers.  Almost everyone can benefit from learning the basics of mindfulness, including the science of why it’s helpful for managing stress and anxiety, how to get into a mindfulness practice, and tips for living more mindfully from day to day.

Aging:

As a trained geropsychologist (meaning I have specialty training in the psychological aspects of aging), I am passionate about educating and speaking on aging.  For example, I have presented many times about the negative impact of ageism and how to combat it.  I’ve also enjoyed presenting on conscious aging, that is, aging well and celebrating the benefits of age and experience.  In addition, I have a great deal of experience and expertise in assessing and helping patients and families manage dementia, and enjoy educating others about this often misunderstood diagnosis.

Brain Health: 

Because of my expertise in neuropsychology, which is the study of brain and behavior relationships, I am sometimes asked to present on brain health in different ways.  For example, I have presented on ADHD and menopause in women (you can see where aging fits in as well), how to boost executive function and the best ways to maintain brain health over time. This is a topic that can be fun and helpful for a wide range of folks!

Disability: 

Because of my experience working with disability in various settings, I often speak to groups about the unique aspects of disability as a diversity variable.  Disability, like aging, is still very often a target of discrimination, sometimes overtly, and sometimes not.  Speaking about topics like adjustment to disability, disability, and identity, and the caregiving relationship between a person with a disability and their partner has been very enjoyable for me.

Clinical Diagnoses: 

I often get requests to speak about particular diagnoses within my area of expertise or experience, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, or autism.  This type of education can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and increase awareness.

PSYCHOLOGISTS HAVE SPEAKING AND PRESENTING SKILLS

As a final note, I will mention that as experts in human behavior, psychologists are often highly engaging speakers.  Here are some of the highlights of having a psychologist present to your group:

• Communication Skills: Part of being a psychologist is being able to communicate well.  This includes effectively communicating complex information, in an accessible way, which makes for a great presentation.

• Extensive Diversity Training: Psychologists have a lot of education and reflection around diversity, equity, and inclusion baked into our schooling and clinical training.  This is invaluable in a speaker, as any topic can include and be improved by a discussion about how diversity comes into play.  Psychologists have the expertise to do this, and since we aren’t afraid to have hard conversations, this can come fairly easily as part of a presentation.

• Strong Science Background:  Psychologists are also extensively trained in behavioral science, and in fact, most psychologists have to do scientific research in order to get their doctorate.  This means psychologists, like other scientists, have the ability to read and understand the latest scientific literature, to think critically about information, and to evaluate the research methods and conclusions drawn by researchers.  This is incredibly valuable in a speaker, as it means the science can be applied to your specific needs, rather than just generally stated.

Start Working With A Psychologist Speaker in Los Angeles

Psychologists bring a lot to the table as speakers and presenters.  If you are interested in having Dr. Reger speak to your group in person in Los Angeles County Orange County, or anywhere virtually, please reach out here.

Other Services Offered with Stacy Reger

I understand you may need more support in addition to speaking and presenting services. This is why I’m happy to offer several types of assessments and services around Southern California. I also offer psychological evaluations for workers’ comp, preoperative assessments, individual therapy, therapy for older adults, and neuropsychological testing. Visit my blog for more helpful information today!

The Value of Psychological Consultation in Los Angeles, CA

As a psychologist with expertise in assessment, aging, and disability, as well as forensic, medical, and government experience, I have worked as a consultant in numerous settings. Psychologists have training in many areas of use in other professions, and psychologist consultants can provide a valuable service to individuals, groups, and organizations. I use my expertise in psychology to help businesses, leaders, teams, and organizations solve problems, improve wellbeing and performance, and achieve their goals.

Settings Where a Psychological Consultant Is Helpful

Psychologist consultants can provide their expertise in settings including:

Businesses and organizations: 

Psychologist consultants can help businesses improve employee morale, productivity, and communication. They can also provide training on topics such as leadership, stress management, and diversity and inclusion. Among many other topics, I have offered workplace training on understanding adjustment to disability for workers’ compensation claims adjusters, and on using mindfulness for stress management for attorneys practicing law. 

Schools and universities: 

Consulting psychologists can help schools and universities improve student achievement and reduce behavioral problems. They can also provide education on psychological topics to students, parents, and teachers. For example, I have provided training to parents and caregivers on how and why to include self-care in a healthy routine when raising children.

Healthcare settings: 

Of course, psychologists work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings providing mental health services to patients and their families; this is how I spent about a decade of my career. However psychological consultation can offer much more than direct patient care in medical settings. For example, I have helped healthcare administrators develop and implement programs to improve patient care and staff morale. I also provided training on managing grief and loss in the workplace to nurses and physicians working in hospice, palliative care, and the ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic. A psychologist with expertise in medical settings and the issues faced by staff, leaders, and patients, can offer valuable training.

Government agencies: 

Psychologist consultants can work for government agencies to develop and implement social programs, improve public health, and reduce crime. They can also advise policymakers on issues related to mental health and well-being.  For example, I have participated in diversity, equity, and inclusion workgroups, helping to train leaders and staff in a federal government setting.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THE BENEFITS OF A CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGIST

As you can tell, there are many different ways psychologists can bring value in a consultation role. Here are some specific examples of the benefits that psychologist consultants can provide:

Improving employee morale and productivity: 

A consulting psychologist can help organizations improve employee morale and productivity by identifying and addressing the root causes of problems such as stress, conflict, and low engagement. They can also develop and implement initiatives to improve employee well-being and satisfaction.

Reducing workplace conflict: 

Psychologist consultants can help businesses reduce workplace conflict by teaching employees how to communicate effectively, resolve disagreements, and build positive relationships. They can also mediate disputes and provide conflict coaching to individuals and teams. This can be especially helpful when the work involves intense or emotionally charged situations, or the need for difficult decisions, such as in healthcare settings.

Improving leadership skills: 

In a consulting role, a psychologist can help organizations develop the leadership skills of their employees. They can provide training on topics such as emotional intelligence, communication, and motivation. They can also coach individual leaders and provide feedback on their performance (also called executive coaching). This role can be incredibly important, as new leaders are often promoted or hired with little formal leadership training, and even the kindest person with the best intentions can struggle if they do not learn the psychology behind how to lead.

Promoting diversity and inclusion: 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion education and training are an integral part of the lengthy education required to achieve a doctorate in psychology. Psychologists can use this expertise to help organizations create a more inclusive workplace. They can provide training on topics such as unconscious bias and cultural sensitivity. They can also help organizations develop and implement diversity and inclusion initiatives. This expertise is more important than ever, as organizations lose a great deal of potential talent and perspective by actively or passively excluding marginalized people.

Improving student achievement: 

Psychologist consultants can help schools and universities improve student achievement by identifying and addressing the barriers to learning. They can also develop and implement programs to improve student motivation, engagement, and study skills.

Reducing behavioral problems: 

Psychologist consultants can help schools and universities reduce behavioral problems by teaching students how to manage their emotions, resolve conflict, and make responsible choices. They can also work with teachers and administrators to develop and implement classroom management strategies.

Improving patient care: 

Psychologist consultants can work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings to improve patient care by helping healthcare providers develop and implement programs to support staff and improve patient communication, satisfaction, and adherence to treatment plans.

Improving public health: 

Psychologists also consult government agencies to improve public health by developing programs that promote healthy behaviors and reduce risk factors for disease. For example, they may develop programs to prevent smoking or substance abuse.

THE ADDED VALUE OF HIRING A PSYCHOLOGY CONSULTANT

In addition to the specific examples listed above, psychological consultants can also provide a number of broad benefits to organizations, such as:

Providing an objective perspective: 

Psychologist consultants can provide an objective perspective on problems and challenges. This can be helpful for individuals, groups, and organizations that are struggling to see things clearly or come up with solutions. Sometimes we are just too close or emotionally invested in a situation to see it clearly; it happens to everyone. A psychologist consulting on something specific, like employee stress management, may also offer a general perspective that can make solutions clearer for a team.

Using scientific knowledge: 

Psychologists have excellent training in scientific and research methods and can use their scientific knowledge of psychology to make effective changes. An evidence-based approach can help clients, including organizations, achieve their goals more quickly and efficiently.

Helping people to understand themselves and others: 

Consulting psychologists can help people understand themselves and others better. This can lead to improved communication, relationships, and performance.

Promoting positive change: 

Psychologist consultants can help individuals, groups, and organizations to make positive changes, which can improve morale, productivity, satisfaction, and retention. 

Begin Psychological Consultation Services in Los Angeles, CA

There are many potential benefits to hiring a psychologist as a consultant for your organization.  If you are interested in having Dr. Reger consult with your staff, leadership team, or organization in person in Los Angeles County, Orange County, or virtually anywhere in the US, follow these simple steps:

1. Reach out for a free consultation.

2. Schedule your consultation services with Dr. Reger.

3. Start receiving the support you deserve!

OTHER THERAPY AND TESTING SERVICES OFFERED IN LOS ANGELES, CA

I understand you may need more support in addition to consultation services. This is why I’m happy to offer several types of assessments and services around Southern California. I also offer psychological evaluations for workers’ comp, preoperative assessments, individual therapy, therapy for older adults, and neuropsychological testing. Visit my blog for more helpful information today!

Understanding Dementia and the Role of Neuropsych Testing

As a psychologist doing neuropsychological testing with older adults, I often speak to patients and families about dementia. There are many misconceptions about what dementia is and is not, and I find that it’s not always well understood by people outside the medical profession. Hopefully, this information will help clarify what dementia is, how it is different than other conditions, and how dementia testing can help.

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is a general term for loss of cognitive function — memory, thinking, problem-solving, and language — that gets in the way of daily life.  It can be caused by several different types of changes to the brain.  Here are the most common:

• Alzheimer’s disease:  The most common type of dementia, which causes gradual cognitive decline, often over about a decade. 

•  Lewy body dementia: The second most common type of dementia, caused by abnormal deposits in the brain, and with symptoms similar to the cognitive decline that can occur in Parkinson’s disease.

• Vascular dementia: Caused by cardiovascular problems that harm the brain, sometimes gradually over time (for example, high blood pressure), and sometimes suddenly (for example, a stroke). 

• Frontotemporal dementia: This type of dementia impacts the frontal lobes of the brain first (the part behind our foreheads), and can cause personality change, and eventually other cognitive problems.

What Is Not Dementia?

Because dementia is a general term, I often hear it misused or misunderstood. There are various reasons for cognitive changes, and they are not all dementia. Dementia is different than:

Delerium:

A temporary change in cognition that often involves confusion, disorientation, and poor memory. Delirium can happen in response to a medical emergency, a reaction to a medication, a vitamin deficiency, or other immediate medical causes.  Delerium is a medical emergency and must be treated as soon as possible. Fortunately, delirium is usually treatable, and the person can return to normal brain function once the cause is addressed.

Depression: 

This common mental health condition can cause symptoms such as sadness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can sometimes look like dementia.  When a person is depressed, they may not pay attention to what is happening around them, which can impact memory. Depression is also treatable with therapy and medication, and once depression is treated, people often see an improvement in their cognition as well.

Hearing loss:

Hearing loss can make it difficult to understand speech, which can lead to problems with memory and communication.  Many times, people assume that because someone has a hearing impairment, they have a cognitive impairment, but of course, they are two totally different conditions.

Vision loss: 

Vision loss can also make it difficult to understand and remember things. Again, just because someone has impaired vision does not mean anything about their cognitive function.

Vitamin B12 deficiency: 

Vitamin B12 is essential for brain health. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause symptoms such as fatigue, memory problems, and confusion.

Thyroid problems: 

The thyroid gland produces hormones that help regulate metabolism. Thyroid problems can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, and cognitive changes.

Speech problems:

Speech problems such as a stutter or slowed speech after a stroke do not have any bearing on cognitive function, and do not, by themselves, indicate dementia.

Neuropsychological Testing in Dementia

Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Although age is the biggest risk factor for dementia, most older people don’t have dementia.

There’s no cure for dementia, but there are treatments that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.  As you can see, there are many potential causes of cognitive change that can look like dementia.  Neurological tests and brain imaging can give some information that helps with a clear diagnosis in cases of cognitive change, but many brain changes are similar across conditions, and not visible on brain imaging until very late into the disease. This is where neuropsychological testing comes in.

Neuropsychological testing is a type of assessment that evaluates a person's cognitive abilities. It is used to diagnose dementia and other brain disorders, as well as to measure the severity of cognitive impairment and track changes over time.

Neuropsychological tests can measure a variety of cognitive abilities, including:

• Memory

• Attention

• Language

• Problem-solving

• Visual-spatial skills

• Executive functions (planning, organizing, and decision-making)

Neuropsychological testing is typically conducted by a psychologist or neuropsychologist; these are doctors who specialize in the assessment and treatment of brain and behavior disorders.

A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT CAN HELP WITH DIAGNOSING DEMENTIA

Neuropsych testing can be a valuable tool for diagnosing dementia. We can identify patterns of impairment that give information about the cause of brain and behavior changes, including what type of dementia a person may have, or whether there is another explanation for their cognitive change.

For example, people with Alzheimer's disease typically have difficulty with memory and executive functions. People with vascular dementia may have difficulty with attention and processing speed. People with Lewy body dementia may have difficulty with visual-spatial skills and executive functions.

Neuropsychological testing can also help to rule out other medical conditions that can cause cognitive impairment, such as depression, vitamin deficiencies, and thyroid problems.

NEUROPSYCH TESTING CAN HELP WITH MANAGING DEMENTIA

Neuropsych assessment with a psychologist is also helpful for managing dementia. When we know the areas of cognitive decline (for example, memory), we can recommend specific strategies to support the person in need (for example, using reminders and cues in ways that will work best to support that person’s memory).

Neuropsych testing can also be used to track dementia over time.  We can monitor cognitive change, which can inform things like managing money, living independently, and what type of assistance could help someone remain independent for as long as possible.

THE BENEFITS OF DEMENTIA TESTING

Neuropsychological assessment offers a number of benefits for people with dementia and their loved ones:

• Accurate diagnosis: Neuropsychological testing can help to accurately diagnose dementia and rule out other medical conditions. Remember, there are some treatable causes of dementia; an accurate diagnosis could be life-changing!

• Individualized treatment: By identifying the specific cognitive deficits that a person is experiencing, neuropsychological tests can help to guide treatment and support services.

• Tracking progression: Neuropsychological testing can be used track changes over time, and help adjust treatment and support as things change.

• Education and support: Neuropsychologists know a lot about dementia, and can help patients and families understand what is happening, what to expect in the future, and how to plan and support one another.

Begin Dementia Testing in Los Angeles, CA

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have dementia, it is important to talk to your doctor, and potentially consider neuropsych testing for dementia. Dr. Reger is happy to offer dementia testing and other support from her Los Angeles, CA-based practice. You can schedule an appointment by following these steps:

1. Reach out for a free consultation.

2. Schedule neuropsychological testing with Dr. Reger.

3. Start receiving the support you deserve!

OTHER THERAPY AND TESTING SERVICES OFFERED IN LOS ANGELES, CA

I know that you may need more support in addition to neuropsychological testing. This is why I’m happy to offer several types of assessments and services around Southern California. Other services I offer include psychological evaluations for workers’ comp, preoperative assessments, individual therapy, and therapy for older adults. Visit my blog for more helpful information today!