The definitions in this thread are good. Both types of professionals are very helpful for injuries such as traumatic brain injury.

From a practical perspective the neuropsychologist helps with “paper and pencil” testing and the practical day-to-day living issues such as how to cope with what is now “not working so well”. They also deal with issues and strategies for re-integrating into work or school.

The testing a neuropsychologist performs tells you what functional areas have been affected by the injury. For instance changes in verbal ability, short-term or working memory, spacial concepts, and such can be measured. One can actually tell during the testing what areas of the brain are being “probed” by the test.

This differs from the neuro psychiatrist’s (or even physiatrist’s) focus on the medical side of things and their ability to prescribe medications to help with cognitive fatigue, headache, vertigo, or sleep problems.

While sleep problems are common with a TBI, the neuropsychologist may rely on treatments such as relaxation or meditation, while the neuro psychiatrist may include these but also rely on medications.

Probably the main difference is their focus.

For my TBI, I see both a neuropsychologist (for testing and reintegration strategies) and a physiatrist for cognitive fatigue, pain, and other issues. They work together as a good team.

Hope this helps.