Jessica Vassallo, PhD
Dr. Jessica Vassallo is a licensed psychologist with a specialty in neuropsychology. A graduate of Columbia University in NYC, she earned her PhD at Fairleigh Dickinson University in NJ. She is fellowship trained and has been affiliated with several area hospitals, including Tampa General Hospital, Morton Plant Hospital, University of South Florida Psychiatry Department, and the Tampa VA Hospital. Dr. Vassallo is competent to evaluate children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric individuals.
Her areas of specialty include working with individuals suffering with epilepsy who are experiencing cognitive difficulties or those who are seeking surgical solutions to their seizures. She is also experienced in evaluating the cognitive effects of brain injury, concussion, and stroke. Dr. Vassallo has worked extensively with individuals who are experiencing cognitive decline associated with various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. She has also worked with children and their parents to determine the causes of school and interpersonal difficulty, including learning disability, attentional problems, and behavioral or psychological problems.
If you would like to discuss your symptoms and the type of services that may be of benefit to you, Dr. Vassallo would be happy to talk with you.
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Philosophy
Neuropsychology
Dr. Vassallo has a tradition of providing comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological assessments of seniors, adults, adolescents and children. She has extensive experience in performing evaluations of intelligence (IQ), personality, adjustment, learning disabilities, memory problem, dementia, language skills, nonverbal skills, sensory and motor skills, executive functions, and the neuropsychological consequences of stroke, neurological illnesses and injuries.
Her approach is a client-centered and problem-centered model, employing a flexible-battery process approach to address your specific needs and your physician's questions. While understanding the causes and extent of cognitive impairment is important, providing realistic recommendations for treatment, accomodations, and long-term expectations is vital.
Psychotherapy
Dr. Vassallo's theoretical approach is based on the principles of eclecticism and interpersonal relationships. We often believe that our behaviors and feelings are caused by what happens in the real world. However, that is only one part of the picture. Our feelings and reactions are formed from all of our prior experiences, our beliefs, our upbringing, and our relationships. Often a problem seems straight-forward, but psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, or dissatisfaction with life circumstances, are the result of many interconnected factors. Dr. Vassallo will use cognitive (thinking), behavioral (action), and insight-oriented (understanding oneself) techniques to target your particular psychological difficulties. The goals of treatment include not only alleviation of symptoms, but also coming to an understanding of the source of psychological stress and your reactions to that stress.
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