Finding quality experiences | Neuropsychology with Dr. Eric Connors

Eric Connors, Ph.D is a neuropsychology postdoctoral fellow at Home Base. He is a Boston native and he obtained his Bachelor of Science at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Shortly after graduation, he moved to San Diego to complete his graduate studies at the APA-accredited Alliant International University. His first clinical experience involved conducting neuropsychological evaluations with those in the acute stages of recovery following an acquired brain injury. Witnessing firsthand the benefits of neurorehabilitation and the role of neuropsychology solidified Dr. Connors’ goal of becoming a neuropsychologist.

In 2018, Dr. Connors moved back to Massachusetts to complete a predoctoral neuropsychology internship at the Tewksbury Hospital; where he treated individuals with complex medical conditions, acquired brain injuries, and rare neurological disorders. Dr. Connors obtained his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in the Summer of 2019. Now at Home Base, he is thrilled to have his neuropsychology training come full circle back to Boston and to have the opportunity to work with Veterans and their families.

In this episode, we cover:

• What is neuropsychology and what do neuropsychologists do?
• What does working with a patient look like? 
• Are neuropsychologists therapists too? 
• Why did Eric switch from pre-med to psychology? 
• When and why did he decide on a clinical psychology PhD? 
• What did Eric do to prepare him for a PhD? 
• How does Eric advise undergrads to get clinical experience in neuropsychology? 
• What is training like in grad school? And what was his favorite site?
• How do you deal with getting thrown into unfamiliar clinical settings?
• What’s the relationship between your research and your clinical work?
• Where can neuropsychologists work?
• What does the day to day of a neuropsychologist look like?
• How do you find quality experiences?
• What are some ways you wish to challenge the status quo in your field?
• What do you wish you knew when you were 22?
• Where does Eric see himself in the future?
• Words of advice for the Psych Mic audience?
• And so much more!  

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Music by: Adam Fine