Understand cognitive changes. Find clarity. Move forward with confidence.
At Utah Center for Psychological Services, we provide comprehensive traumatic brain injury (TBI) evaluations for adolescents and adults in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah. Our assessments examine memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, and emotional functioning to better understand difficulties following a head injury, clarify contributing factors, and provide individualized recommendations for recovery and everyday life.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) evaluation is a comprehensive assessment designed to understand cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning following a head injury. It helps identify areas of cognitive strength and difficulty, clarify factors contributing to persistent symptoms, and guide appropriate treatment and rehabilitation recommendations.
Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to more severe injuries. Symptoms may involve difficulties with memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, emotional regulation, or everyday activities.
A thorough evaluation integrates clinical interviews, standardized cognitive testing, medical and injury history, relevant records, and other sources of information when appropriate. Because symptoms can have multiple contributing causes, the psychologist also considers factors such as sleep disturbances, pain, emotional distress, medication effects, and preexisting conditions.
Our evaluations consider established diagnostic frameworks, including the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s criteria for mild traumatic brain injury.
After a concussion or traumatic brain injury, you may notice changes in memory, concentration, thinking speed, emotional functioning, or your ability to manage everyday responsibilities. These difficulties can be frustrating, especially when symptoms persist longer than expected or medical imaging does not reveal an obvious explanation.
At Utah Center for Psychological Services, we recognize that recovery from a brain injury is complex and that cognitive symptoms can reflect multiple interacting factors. Our psychologists examine cognitive performance, injury history, emotional functioning, and relevant medical information to better understand the nature of the difficulties.
Our evaluations provide detailed information about cognitive strengths and weaknesses, help clarify diagnostic questions, and offer individualized recommendations to support rehabilitation, accommodations, and daily functioning.
Learn more about our comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological evaluations and how assessment can help clarify complex cognitive and emotional concerns.
A traumatic brain injury evaluation may be helpful when cognitive, emotional, or behavioral difficulties persist after a concussion or other head injury, particularly when they interfere with work, school, relationships, or everyday responsibilities. Comprehensive assessment can help characterize these difficulties, clarify contributing factors, and identify appropriate recommendations for treatment and support.
Symptoms following a concussion can affect thinking, memory, mood, sleep, and physical functioning. The CDC provides additional information about the signs and symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury.
You may notice difficulties with cognitive abilities that were previously easier to manage.
Forgetting recent conversations, appointments, or important information
Having difficulty concentrating or maintaining attention
Experiencing slower thinking or needing more time to process information
Struggling with organization, planning, multitasking, or problem-solving
Becoming mentally fatigued more quickly than before
Having difficulty learning new information or keeping up with conversations
You may also notice changes in mood, behavior, or your ability to manage daily demands.
Increased irritability, frustration, or emotional sensitivity
Difficulty regulating emotions or managing stress
Changes in motivation, initiative, or social functioning
Feeling overwhelmed by tasks that were previously manageable
Difficulty returning to work, school, or familiar responsibilities
Ongoing concerns about whether cognitive or emotional changes are related to a previous injury
Most people recover from a concussion within weeks, but some experience symptoms that persist longer or interfere with daily functioning. Difficulties with concentration, memory, mental fatigue, headaches, or emotional regulation can make returning to work, school, and familiar activities challenging.
Persistent symptoms do not necessarily indicate ongoing brain damage. Sleep disturbances, pain, emotional distress, and other factors can contribute to difficulties following a concussion, making comprehensive assessment particularly valuable.
A TBI evaluation can help:
Identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses involving attention, memory, processing speed, and executive functioning
Clarify factors that may be contributing to persistent symptoms
Evaluate the impact of cognitive and emotional difficulties on everyday functioning
Inform recommendations for rehabilitation, treatment, and symptom management
Identify strategies and accommodations that may support a return to work, school, or other activities
Our psychologists consider the individual’s injury history, symptom progression, medical information, and current functioning to provide a comprehensive understanding of their difficulties and appropriate next steps.
Moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries can result in lasting changes in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Individuals may experience difficulties with memory, attention, planning, judgment, emotional regulation, or independence in everyday activities.
Neuropsychological assessment can help characterize these difficulties, identify preserved abilities, and provide information relevant to rehabilitation and long-term support.
A comprehensive evaluation can help:
Assess the nature and severity of cognitive difficulties following a brain injury
Identify patterns of cognitive strengths and weaknesses
Evaluate how cognitive changes affect everyday functioning and independence
Inform cognitive rehabilitation and treatment planning
Provide recommendations for workplace accommodations, educational supports, or assistance with daily activities
Establish a baseline for monitoring cognitive functioning over time
Our evaluations integrate cognitive testing with medical history, injury characteristics, and relevant collateral information to develop individualized recommendations that support functioning, rehabilitation, and future planning.
We provide TBI evaluations for:
At Utah Center for Psychological Services, our traumatic brain injury evaluations are conducted by licensed psychologists with doctoral-level training in psychological assessment and expertise relevant to cognitive and neuropsychological functioning. Our team evaluates complex cognitive, neurological, and mental health presentations, recognizing that difficulties following a head injury may reflect multiple interacting factors. We integrate standardized assessment findings with injury history, medical records, behavioral observations, and everyday functioning to develop carefully reasoned conclusions. Our goal is to provide meaningful diagnostic clarification and individualized recommendations that support recovery, rehabilitation, and daily functioning.
We discuss the circumstances of the injury, current symptoms, medical and psychological history, previous functioning, and goals for the evaluation. We also explore how cognitive or emotional changes have affected work, school, relationships, and daily activities.
We administer standardized measures selected to evaluate relevant areas of functioning, such as memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, and emotional or behavioral symptoms. Testing is tailored to the individual's presentation and referral questions.
We review relevant medical records, injury documentation, imaging reports, previous evaluations, and treatment history. With appropriate authorization, we may obtain information from family members, healthcare providers, or others familiar with the individual's functioning before and after the injury.
You receive a comprehensive written report describing cognitive strengths and weaknesses, diagnostic impressions when appropriate, and individualized recommendations. During feedback, we review the findings, answer questions, and discuss appropriate rehabilitation, accommodations, and other next steps.
Our traumatic brain injury evaluations are designed to understand cognitive and emotional functioning within the broader context of an individual’s injury history, medical conditions, and everyday life. We examine patterns of strengths and difficulties, consider factors that may influence recovery, and provide carefully reasoned conclusions and practical recommendations.
We assess memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, language, and other relevant cognitive abilities. We consider the circumstances and severity of the injury, the progression of symptoms, previous functioning, medical history, and the impact of difficulties on work, school, relationships, and everyday responsibilities.
Our psychologists tailor each evaluation to the individual’s symptoms, injury history, and referral questions. We integrate standardized neuropsychological measures, clinical interviews, behavioral observations, relevant medical records, and collateral information when appropriate. We also consider factors such as pain, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, and preexisting cognitive or developmental conditions. This approach is consistent with evidence-based guidance on the assessment and rehabilitation of mild traumatic brain injury, which emphasizes careful evaluation of persistent symptoms and contributing factors.
Our reports explain assessment findings in accessible language and connect them to everyday needs. Recommendations may address cognitive rehabilitation, medical follow-up, compensatory strategies, workplace or educational accommodations, and emotional well-being. We emphasize practical guidance that helps individuals and their healthcare providers make informed decisions about recovery and ongoing support.
Many insurance plans cover TBI evaluations. Your estimated cost depends on your plan’s benefits and deductible.
Our team will verify your benefits and provide you a summary of your coverage and estimated cost.
For those not using insurance.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing persistent difficulties with memory, attention, thinking, or emotional functioning following a concussion or traumatic brain injury, a comprehensive evaluation can help provide clarity.
Our licensed psychologists offer individualized traumatic brain injury evaluations in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah to better understand cognitive changes, clarify contributing factors, and provide practical recommendations for rehabilitation, accommodations, and everyday functioning.
That is often one of the biggest questions. Symptoms like memory problems, difficulty focusing, or mood changes can come from multiple causes. A comprehensive evaluation helps sort through those possibilities and identify what is most likely contributing.
That is not uncommon. Many mild traumatic brain injuries do not show up on imaging, but can still affect how the brain functions. Testing looks at how your brain is actually working in daily life, not just structural changes.
The appropriate timing of neuropsychological testing depends on the severity of the injury, the course of recovery, and the specific questions being investigated.
Most individuals with mild traumatic brain injury experience substantial improvement within the first several weeks. During early recovery, medical follow-up and symptom-focused management are often more appropriate than an extensive neuropsychological evaluation.
Comprehensive testing may be useful when symptoms persist beyond the expected recovery period, interfere with daily functioning, or raise complex diagnostic questions. Individuals with moderate or severe brain injuries may benefit from assessment at different stages of rehabilitation.
At Utah Center for Psychological Services, we consider injury history, current symptoms, and referral questions when determining whether comprehensive testing is appropriate.
Yes. A comprehensive traumatic brain injury evaluation can provide objective information about cognitive strengths, difficulties, and functional limitations that may be relevant to workplace accommodations, educational supports, or disability-related applications.
Depending on the findings, recommendations may address reduced-distraction environments, written instructions, additional time for tasks, scheduled breaks, compensatory memory strategies, or other individualized supports.
However, neuropsychological testing does not automatically establish eligibility for disability benefits or accommodations. These determinations depend on the requirements of the employer, educational institution, insurance provider, or relevant agency.
Our evaluations focus on providing accurate, clinically supported findings and recommendations that can help inform these decisions.
That experience is more common than people expect. Even mild injuries can have lasting effects for some individuals. An evaluation can help clarify what is going on and provide direction for next steps.
A comprehensive TBI evaluation can help examine whether cognitive difficulties are consistent with the reported injury history, but neuropsychological testing alone cannot definitively establish causation.
Determining the relationship between an injury and current symptoms requires consideration of the injury mechanism, acute medical findings, symptom onset and progression, preexisting conditions, psychological functioning, and other potential explanations.
In some cases, the available evidence supports a clear relationship between an injury and subsequent difficulties. In others, multiple factors may contribute, or the available information may be insufficient to reach a definitive conclusion.
Clinical neuropsychological evaluations and forensic evaluations may address different referral questions and documentation requirements. When an assessment is requested specifically for litigation or a personal injury claim, the purpose and scope should be established before testing begins.
A neurological examination and a neuropsychological evaluation provide different but complementary information about brain functioning.
A neurological examination is conducted by a medical professional and assesses aspects of nervous system functioning, such as strength, reflexes, sensation, coordination, and other neurological signs. Medical evaluation may also include brain imaging or additional diagnostic studies.
A neuropsychological evaluation focuses on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning using standardized assessment measures. It can examine memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, language, and other abilities that may be affected by neurological or psychological conditions.
Neuropsychological testing does not replace neurological or medical evaluation. Instead, it provides detailed information about functional abilities that can inform diagnostic clarification, rehabilitation, and everyday support needs.
Yes. Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disturbances, chronic pain, and other conditions can contribute to difficulties with memory, concentration, processing speed, and emotional regulation.
These conditions may occur independently of a traumatic brain injury or develop alongside one. For example, someone injured in a serious accident may experience both concussion-related symptoms and psychological distress associated with the event.
A comprehensive evaluation considers the timing and progression of symptoms, injury characteristics, medical history, psychological functioning, and patterns of cognitive performance. This process helps identify the factors most likely contributing to the individual’s difficulties.
Importantly, recognizing emotional or psychological contributors does not mean the symptoms are imagined or unimportant. Multiple factors may require attention in treatment and rehabilitation.
REVIEWED BY
Licensed Psychologist │ Utah License: 12377684-2501
View Professional Credentials →
