What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
Neuropsychology is the study of the human mind. As a neuropsychologist, I specialize in how disease and trauma affect the brain, and the relationships between the brain and cognition, behavior, personality, and mood. My goal is to help patients and their loved ones understand themselves after a brain trauma, and how to reclaim their lives.
A neuropsychologist can assist in several situations. If you have experienced an injury to the brain, have an illness that could affect the brain, or have a possible dementia process occurring, I can help. I can help you understand what changes, if any, have occurred, and can help track your recovery or the disease progression.
I conduct comprehensive assessments with children (ages 6 and older), teens, and adults who have experienced any of the following:
-- Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)
-- Head injury (e.g. assault, accident, concussion)
-- Brain tumor or brain bleed
-- Epilepsy
-- Dementia
-- Neuromuscular or movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s Disease)
-- Attentional and/or behavioral problems (e.g., ADHD)
-- Neurodevelopmental problems (i.e., Autism)
-- Intellectual Disability and/or Learning disabilities
Alternately, if you don't have a diagnosis or history of any of the above, I can help you understand why you may be experiencing any of the following:
-- Memory difficulties
-- Concentration difficulties
-- Changes in your ability to problem-solve or deal with information
-- Changes in your ability to speak, read, write, or understand what others are saying
-- Mental fog
This information can inform focused recommendations to address neurocognitive deficits and improve functioning in work, school, and other life domains.
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Other Services
Cognitive Retraining and Rehabilitation
An empirically validated treatment, cognitive retraining and rehabilitation improves both cognitive and adaptive functioning for individuals with brain injury or cognitive impairments resulting from psychiatric illness, ADHD, Dementia, Stroke, and other neurological disorders. By bolstering functional adaptation and establishing new cognitive approaches to compensate for neurological impairments, tailored interventions assist individuals to achieve independence in their home and community.
ADHD Online Counseling
Do you feel like you have great potential, but can’t seem to get organized or focus? Are you working or learning from home and your efficiency is…lacking? Online ADHD and executive function coaching is a brief, focused intervention that may be a fit for you.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy. It is a common treatment for a range of mental health problems. CBT teaches you coping skills for dealing with different problems. It focuses on how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and actions.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that has been effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD that have developed after experiencing a variety of traumatic events including child abuse, combat, rape and natural disasters. CPT is generally delivered over 12 sessions and helps patients learn how to challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma. In so doing, the patient creates a new understanding and conceptualization of the traumatic event so that it reduces its ongoing negative effects on current life.
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I treat each person as a unique individual deserving of care, respect and understanding, and strive to make the assessment experience inclusive. I am currently accepting new patients.
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About Dr. Tanton
Dr. Tanton is a licensed psychologist and clinical neuropsychologist (licensed in Florida) specializing in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations with individuals ages 6 and over. Areas of specialization include cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative disorders (i.e., dementia), traumatic brain injury, stroke, movement disorders (i.e., Parkinson’s Disease), medical diagnoses, mood disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and learning disabilities.
Dr. Tanton completed her undergraduate studies in international studies at American University in Washington, DC. Following a brief career in legal marketing, she decided to pursue her passion for psychology by completing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. In addition to a Psy.D., she also holds an M.A. in Clinical Forensic Psychology and an M.A. in Health Psychology.
Dr. Tanton’s clinical training included a predoctoral practica at the Northern California VA Medical Center specializing in neuropsychology, a predoctoral internship at the Gulf Coast VA Medical Center specializing in neuropsychology, and a two-year neuropsychology postdoctoral residency at the Phoenix VA Medical Center.
Most recently, Dr. Tanton served as the sole clinical neuropsychologist for the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, where she provided neuropsychological services for our nation’s heroes and supervised psychology interns in the administration and interpretation of neuropsychological evaluations. In early 2024, Dr. Tanton decided to devote her time to private practice full-time.
In her free time, Dr. Tanton enjoys spending time with her husband and two fur babies, reading, traveling, baking, and being near the water.
Dr. Ashley Tanton, Psy.D.
Owner and Clinical Neuropsychologist