Carrie Allen is a Neuropsychologist who completed a Master’s degree in Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Carrie first became interested in Neuropsychology during her Honours degree in Psychology (UCT) and developed a desire to understand how damage to the brain can affect cognition, mood and behaviour.

During Carrie’s internship, she worked at Groote Schuur Hospital and Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. She enjoyed being part of a multi-disciplinary team and saw a wide range of pathologies, such as strokes, neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy and traumatic brain injuries. Carrie currently works in private practice providing neuropsychological services to out-patients in Cape Town.

Carrie tailors assessments to best suit each patient based on information provided by the patient and their family, as well as any medical history available. She uses neuropsychological testing and clinical observation to identify a patient’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Assessment findings are used to assist differential diagnosis and can provide insight into a patient’s prognosis and ability to meet their functional needs.

Carrie also strives to provide honest feedback to her patients and their families so that they can understand the impact of their brain injury on their functioning. During the feedback process, she works with patients and their families to identify practical interventions, such as referral pathways and compensatory strategies, that may be helpful.

Empathy is at the core of Carrie’s approach to Neuropsychology. She is mindful of the importance of understanding a patient’s point of view and unique context at each stage of the neuropsychological assessment process.

Meet the rest of the Perspectives Psychology Group team.