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OUR PHILOSOPHY

Great Lakes Neurobehavioral Center (GLNC) provides comprehensive neuropsychological and psychological assessment, as well as, interventions to assist parents and families to understand a child’s strengths and challenges. At GLNC we offer evidence based psychological and neuropsychological services to develop skills and provide supports for greater success in the lives of children.

Evaluation

EVALUATION

Clinicians at the GLNC utilize a multi-layered approach to evaluate the child’s cognitive, neurobehavioral, emotional, and individual skills as they contribute to a better understanding of the child’s functioning.

About Neuropsychology

Pediatric neuropsychology is a specialty concerned with learning and behavior in relation to a child’s brain. A pediatric neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with expertise in how learning and behavior are associated with the development of brain structures
and systems.

Neuropsychological evaluations are conducted to diagnose learning or behavior disorders caused by altered brain function or development. Neuropsychology services at Great Lakes Neurobehavioral Center are available to individuals ages 1 to young adulthood.

Benefits of an Evaluation

Neuropsychological evaluations assist in better understanding a child’s functioning in areas such as memory, attention, perception, coordination, language, and personality. Gaining insight in these areas helps the child’s parents, teachers, therapists, and physicians provide treatments/interventions to meet the child’s unique needs.

Neuropsychology services are recommended when
a child has:

  • Difficulty with learning, attention, memory, or communication
  • Difficulty with behavior, socialization, or emotional control
  • Disease or inborn developmental problem that affects the brain
  • Brain injury from an accident, birth trauma, or prematurity
  • Conditions or complications such as:
    Epilepsy/Seizures, ADHD, Concussion/Brain Injury, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability, Prematurity/Low, Birth Weight, Cancer/Brain Tumors, History of Organ Transplant, Emotional Difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Tic Disorders

What to Expect

The psychologist will meet with the child and caregiver(s). Then the child will spend much of the day with the psychologist completing various evaluation activities, for example, solving puzzles, listening and remembering information, using their hands to construct things or draw pictures, and possibly working on a computer.

Caregivers are a vital part of the assessment team in providing information, history and current concerns. In addition to meeting together, caregivers will be interviewed without the child present on the day of the evaluation. At the conclusion of the evaluation, feedback regarding the evaluation results and diagnostic impressions are provided.

Intervention recommendations are provided to better understand and manage challenging behaviors that impact all aspects of the child’s life. These recommendations may impact medical, educational, or social functioning, and provide links to resources to make informed decisions.

TREATMENT

GLNC provides therapy services to address emotional and behavioral issues, as well as psychological aspects of chronic or acute illness, injury and health-related behaviors.

Child and Adolescent Therapy

We provide therapy to children, adolescents, and families to address a variety of emotional and behavioral concerns. GLNC psychologists use research-based treatments to address a variety of concerns, such as:

  • Anxiety Disorders (e.g. Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias, etc.)
  • Mood disorders (e.g. Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder)
  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Adjustment Disorders
  • Behavioral Disorders
  • Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (e.g. Trichotillomania, chronic skin picking,
    severe nail biting, etc.)
  • Tourette’s Disorder

Pediatric Psychology Therapy

We provide therapy to address the psychological aspects of chronic or acute illness, injury, and the promotion of health-related behaviors in children, adolescents, and families. We are focused on addressing the developmental and environmental factors that contribute to the stress of having a medical condition; improving outcomes in children with medical conditions; treating the comorbid behavioral and emotional components of illness and injury; and promoting proper health behaviors. These services focus on issues such as:

  • Adjusting to new diagnosis for medical conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, childhood cancer, renal disease, and others.
  • Developing adherence plans for chronic conditions.
  • Promoting proper health behaviors for conditions such as chronic or recurrent pain, carrying excess weight, enuresis, encopresis, and others.
  • Systematic parent training programs to help parents accept and cope with the diagnosis and care of medically ill children.

MEET OUR STAFF

Dr Chris Boys

CHRISTOPHER BOYS, PhD, LP

Pediatric Neuropsychologist

Dr. Boys received his MA in clinical psychology from the University of Northern Iowa and his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota.

He went on to specialize in pediatric neuropsychology with an internship and postdoctoral fellowship from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Boys has been in practice since 2004 and has most recently held positions as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, the Director of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, and the Director of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders programs in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

He is the clinical director of pediatric neuropsychology services and training director of the postdoctoral fellowship residency program at Great Lakes Neurobehavioral Center. He serves on the Medical Advisory Board for Proof Alliance advocating for children with prenatal substance exposures.

Dr. Boys’ clinical experience features an emphasis on pediatric populations with a variety of congenital and acquired neurodevelopmental disorders including concussion/acquired brain injury, disorders associated with newborn metabolic screening, prematurity/low birth weight, prenatal substance exposure/FASD, ADHD, seizure disorders, learning disabilities, and mood difficulties.

Emma Erickson

EMMA ERICKSON, PhD, LP

Pediatric Neuropsychologist

Dr. Erickson provides individualized assessment for children and adolescents with a wide range of conditions that impact learning, behavior, and social-emotional functioning.

Dr. Erickson is passionate about providing comprehensive neuropsychological assessments to her patients. Dr. Erickson routinely conducts individualized assessment with children and adolescents with a range of congenital and acquired conditions including: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disability (LD), various medical conditions (e.g., perinatal complications, genetics disorders, concussion/traumatic brain injury), and social-emotional, mood, and behavioral disorders. Assessments provide parents, medical providers, and educators with a clear sense of the child’s strengths and weaknesses and suggestions for how to ensure their academic, social, and emotional success. Dr. Erickson has a lighthearted and playful style that puts her patients at ease in the assessment setting. She strives to consider each child within the context of their personal history and social environment and emphasizes the importance of empirically-supported interventions when making recommendations for ongoing care. Dr. Erickson believes in celebrating each child’s unique characteristics and in doing so empowers patients to reach their fullest potential.

Dr. Erickson is a pediatric neuropsychologist who completed advanced training in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with neurological, medical, developmental, and emotional/behavioral disorders. Dr. Erickson completed her undergraduate studies at Concordia College (Moorhead, Minnesota), where she studied Psychology and Spanish. She obtained her Master’s Degree and Doctor of Philosophy of Clinical Psychology at the University of South Dakota. Dr. Erickson completed her clinilinical internship at the University of Minnesota Medical School where she trained in the Pediatric Psychology and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Clinics.

Dr Erik de Water

ERIK DE WATER, PhD, LP

Pediatric Neuropsychologist

Dr. de Water is a pediatric neuropsychologist and licensed psychologist.

He specializes in neuropsychological assessments of children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, autism spectrum disorders, other neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders), mood and anxiety disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, prenatal exposure to substances and environmental toxicants (e.g., lead), genetic disorders, prematurity, and those at-risk for psychosis.

Dr. de Water is originally from the Netherlands, where he received a MS in Clinical Neuropsychology and MS in Developmental Psychology from Leiden University, and a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Radboud University. He completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in Public Health at Mount Sinai in New York, during which he investigated how prenatal exposure to environmental toxicants (e.g., metals, flame retardants, plasticizers) is associated with children’s behavior and brain development. He further completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Pediatric Neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, in the Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. He worked as a pediatric neuropsychologist at Proof Alliance and Fraser Child & Family Center before joining Great Lakes Neurobehavioral Center.

EMILY NESS-CASTRO, PhD, LP

EMILY NESS-CASTRO, PhD, LP

Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Ness earned her M.A. degree in clinical psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato and her Ph.D. in school psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She completed training in severe problem behavior and pediatric feeding disorders as part of her postdoctoral work at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.

Throughout her education and training, Dr. Ness has focused on behavioral approaches to assessment and treatment, with particular specialization in children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities, ADHD, and behavioral disorders. She has nearly a decade of experience serving children and families in a variety of settings including schools, outpatient clinics, and intensive day treatment programs.

Dr. Ness currently provides psychological assessments for individuals with Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, and behavioral disorders. She also provides outpatient psychotherapy services for children and adolescents with anxiety, depression, and challenging behaviors. She uses behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and solutions-focused approaches to treatment. Dr. Ness is dedicated to working with individuals to promote adaptive and social functioning and collaborating with caregivers to develop the knowledge and skills to address developmental, social, and behavioral needs of their children effectively and independently.

MARY MILDER, PhD, LP

MARY MILDER, PhD, LP

Pediatric Psychologist

As a pediatric psychologist, Dr. Milder specializes in working with children and teens with chronic medical conditions and chronic pain. She focuses on helping patients adjust to their diagnosis, develop active coping skills, and assists them in fulfilling their goals.

Dr. Milder utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy frameworks and routinely integrates mind-body techniques such as biofeedback. Dr. Milder understands the impact chronic medical conditions can have on the lives of children and teens. She has worked on inpatient medical floors, outpatient multidisciplinary medical clinics, and outpatient therapy services.


Dr. Milder currently provides outpatient psychotherapy for children and teens living with chronic medical conditions. She also provides individualized psychological assessments with pediatric patients with a range of medical, social-emotional, mood, or behavioral conditions. Assessments provide patients, parents, medical providers, and educators with clear information on a patient’s patterns of strengths and weaknesses with recommendations on ways to help the patient succeed.

Dr. Milder received her PhD in Medical Clinical Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has received specialized training in pediatric psychology at Children’s of Alabama, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, and Riley Children’s Health. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric pain at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Milder most recently held a position as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry in the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry.

Lindsay Duffy, PsyD, LP

LINDSAY DUFFY, PsyD, LP

Pediatric Neuropsychologist

Dr. Duffy is a pediatric neuropsychologist who provides comprehensive evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults presenting with a variety of neurodevelopmental, mood, personality, and/or medical conditions.

Specifically, she has experience assessing learning disorders in reading, writing, and math, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, personality disturbances, and/or medical concerns, including perinatal complications, concussion/traumatic brain injury, and seizure disorders.

Dr. Duffy seeks to understand each individual’s unique profile, with an emphasis on highlighting strengths and capabilities as well as areas in which they may benefit from additional support. Following each evaluation, she provides specific and accessible recommendations to support the individual across settings. Dr. Duffy also has experience attending school meetings as well as providing court testimony on behalf of families.

Dr. Duffy earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in child and adolescent development, from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, after which time she completed her two-year post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the Promise Program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) in New York City. She subsequently became the DeHirsch Robinson Clinical-Research Fellow during which time her work was published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Attention Disorders and the Journal of Child Language. Dr. Duffy then joined the faculty at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL during which time she contributed to programmatic development of the graduate training program at the Rush Neurobehavioral Center as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Duffy is excited to be joining the team at Great Lakes where she hopes to continue providing thoughtful care to families as well as training the next generation of pediatric neuropsychologists.

Laura Purdham, PsyD, LP

LAURA PURDHAM, PsyD, LP

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Purdham is a clinical psychologist who specializes in providing neuropsychological evaluations for children and adolescents with a variety of learning, behavior, and social-emotional conditions.

Dr. Purdham provides comprehensive neuropsychological assessments to a wide variety of patients including individuals with concerns related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disability (LD), intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), various medical conditions (e.g., late effects of prematurity, concussion), and social-emotional disorders. The evaluation includes assessing a child’s unique pattern of strengths and weaknesses. Dr. Purdham conceptualizes each child within the context of their family’s culture, social environment, individual preferences, and medical history. She provides individualized recommendations rooted in evidence-based interventions to ensure their academic, social, and emotional success.

Dr. Purdham completed advanced training in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with medical, developmental, and emotional/behavioral disorders. Dr. Purdham completed her undergraduate studies at Gustavus Adolphus College, where she majored in Psychological Science and minored in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, Peace Studies, and Sociology/Anthropology. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of St. Thomas and obtained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Purdham obtained her Doctoral Degree through the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC. Dr. Purdham completed her clinical practica at the University of Minnesota, Clinic for Attention, Learning, and Memory, and at Fraser. Dr. Purdham attended her clinical internship at Canvas Health and her two-year postdoctoral fellowship in Fraser’s neuropsychology program.

RANA NELSON, MA, LICSW

RANA NELSON, MA, LICSW

Therapist

Rana is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work from Minnesota State University Mankato in 2012.

She has nearly a decade of experience serving children, adolescents, adults, and elderly in a variety of settings, including in-home/county, alternative school, long-term care, and outpatient hospital/clinic.

Rana has been a lifelong resident of southern Minnesota. She moved to Lake Crystal in 2018 and is excited to offer therapy services in her rural community. She will provide diagnostic assessments, individual psychotherapy, and treatment planning. Rana brings a strength-based approach to working with clients and draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and solution focused therapies. She believes in creating a safe space for healing and helps her clients challenge negative thinking to foster emotional and behavioral changes. Rana enjoys working with adults with concerns including: anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, life stressors, ADHD, grief and loss, and emotional challenges related to medical conditions.

During her free time Rana enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, spending time outdoors, and staying active. She has a passion for traveling and learning about new cultures and experiences. Rana mostly enjoys spending time with her family and especially chasing after her three young boys.

Kaitlyn Kaus, MA,LPC

KAITLYN KAUS, M.A., Ed.D., LPCC

Assessment Specialist

Dr. Kaus received her M.A. degree in Clinical Psychology and completed her educational doctorate (EdD) at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

During her graduate work, Dr. Kaus completed practicum training at the University of Minnesota in the Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience and has worked extensively with children who have been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and/or adoption. Her assessment populations include preschool and school aged children, as well as adolescents and young adults. Dr. Kaus has particular interest in assisting individuals who experience core academic difficulties, attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder, and emotional/behavioral issues such as anxiety and depression.

Dr. Kaus also has gained valuable experience teaching graduate students at Minnesota State University-Mankato in the areas of child and adolescent psychopathology, counseling skills, family and group counseling, and cognitive/intellectual assessment.

Carl Romstad, MA, Ed.S

CARL ROMSTAD, M.S., Ed.S

Assessment Specialist

Carl Romstad is a licensed school psychologist and licensed special education director in the state of Minnesota. He holds a Master of Science and Educational Specialist Degree in school psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

He obtained his Special Education Director Licensure from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus. Carl has worked for over ten years as a practicing school psychologist and for three years as a practicing special education director in Minnesota. Carl’s clinical services combined his knowledge of assessment tools and methods and his experience and knowledge of special education policies and procedures to help him work with higher needs clients experiencing academic related issues or seeking more information related to special education and/or 504 services.

Outside of his work as a school psychologist and special education director, Carl also has co-published/co-researched with professionals at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, regarding issues in diversity and special education, has consulted with and trained professionals through the Minnesota Department of Education, and has co-researched and developed new methods of assessing problem solving and reasoning in various populations of students with unique backgrounds and special needs in public education and clinical settings.

Shannon Hart, ED.S., NCSP

SHANNON HART, Ed.S, NCSP

Assessment Specialist

Shannon is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist who specializes in evaluation of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, and concerns with emotional or behavioral functioning.

Shannon holds Master of Science and Education Specialist degrees in School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. She has completed advanced training in the evaluation and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders with leaders in the field at the University of Michigan Autism and Communication Disorders Center and the Florida State University Autism Institute. Shannon has been trained at a research reliable level of autism assessment, which is the highest level of certification. She is passionate about early identification and intervention of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Shannon’s clinical work has focused on providing evaluations for children that lead to meaningful interventions and recommendations for parents and schools. She works directly with families and school teams in order to identify effective accommodations and learning strategies based on a child’s individual strengths and weaknesses. Shannon has worked with several school districts and early intervention programs in the Twin Cities metro area and is knowledgeable about research-based interventions that lead to improvements in learning and behavior.

Tracy Max-Clinic-Manager

TRACY MAX

Office Manager

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FAQs

If you have any other questions please let us know, it is our goal to work with you across a spectrum to bring your family support.

Pediatric neuropsychology is a specialty concerned with learning and behavior in relation to a child’s brain. A pediatric neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with expertise in how learning and behavior are associated with the development of brain structures and systems.

Neuropsychological evaluations are conducted to diagnose learning or behavior disorders caused by altered brain function or development. Neuropsychology services at Great Lakes Neurobehavioral Center are available to individuals ages 1-18.

Neuropsychological evaluations assist in better understanding a child’s functioning in areas such as memory, attention, perception, coordination, language, and personality. Gaining insight in these areas helps the child’s parents, teachers, therapists, and physicians provide treatments/ interventions that will meet the child’s unique needs. Neuropsychology services are recommended when a child has:

  1. Difficulty with: Learning, attention, behavior, socialization, and emotional control
  2. Disease or inborn developmental problem that affects the brain in some way
  3. A brain injury from an accident, birth trauma, or prematurity

The neuropsychologist will speak to one or both parents as the child begins testing. Since consent or release of information forms may need to be signed, make sure that the person accompanying your child has the legal authority to do this. Step-parents or relatives who do not have legal custody or guardianship cannot give permission for testing or sign legal documents.

Depending on the age of the child and the reason for testing, most neuropsychological testing appointments last either the entire morning or entire afternoon. The neuropsychologist will be able to give you a rough estimate of time involved after discussing your child’s specific needs with you. Time actually taken will depend on your child’s rate of responding as well as your child’s need for breaks.

Most children think that visiting a doctor means they will get a shot. Let them know no shots are given in neuropsychology. Let them know why they are coming in for testing. You can describe it as a lot like school. They will be doing activities that involve listening, remembering, using their hands to construct things or draw pictures, solving puzzles, and possibly working on a computer. Tell them they will be given breaks to use the bathroom, and snacks you bring if they get hungry. Let your child know you will be waiting close by while they work along with the neuropsychologist.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

If you are ready to make an appointment or have questions, please contact us today.

Email Us: info@glncenter.com