Expectations for certificated clinical neuropsychologist and specialty psychologist

Manabu Ikeda

Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine

With the development of disease modified drugs and disease specific other pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, there are increasing needs of neuropsychologists as the expert of neuropsychology who are able to assess very mild cognitively impaired patients and develop useful cognitive assessment scales for very early diagnosis of dementia.
The “Clinical Neuropsychologist” certification was established jointly by the Japanese Society of Neuropsychology and the Japanese Society of Higher Brain Dysfunction in 2019.　The “Specialty psychologist” certification was established by the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society in 2017.　Both experts are expected to provide their professional skills and knowledge to assess cognitive impairments and support older people with dementia.　These licenses are also expected as a professional qualification in the higher rank of certificated psychologist by Japanese government.

Address correspondence to Dr. Manabu Ikeda, Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine (2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan)