Gabriel Rafi is a clinical neuropsychologist

Interview by Despina Dimotsi. Issue 2 – Spring 2022

Gabriel Rafi is a clinical neuropsychologist specializing in children, adolescents and adults with attention deficit disorder, high potential, a form of epilepsy and more generally in need of psychological support.

He graduated from the famous Paris Descartes University in 2013 with a Master’s degree in clinical neuropsychology and cognitive psychology.

He works in a multidisciplinary practice as well as in his own practice and has created a whole network of care partners for comprehensive patient care. Professionals and families trust his method and refer many families to him for quality care. His availability for families, his human warmth and his sense of priorities are qualities highly appreciated by families and patients.

Issue 2 – Spring 2022

DD: Why did you choose neuropsychology ?

GR: I always wanted to do a job that has to do with human. My parents really pushed me to do a job that was useful to people. I have also always been passionate about science. Neuropsychology is the convergence of science and psychology.

DD: What’s the major responsibility of a neuropsychologist?

GR: Understand the whole person. Understand the degree of complaint, the issues. Make a good assessment and give clear advice.

DD: What training in general does a neuropsychologist need?

GR: A neuropsychologist, by profession, is brought to meet many people. Each person is unique so you have to succeed in making the link between theory and practice.

DD: Which ability made you as a person come close to neuropsychology?

GR: My ability to listen to people and I am sociable too. I love to meet and help others.

DD: What do you believe is the key to successfully communicating with patients suffering from degenerative brain disorders?

GR: Understand the patient-his family and understand the disorder in order to always adapt to the patient’s level. Offer him achievable goals that will encourage him. Difference between mentality children vs adults with acquired or innate disorders.

DD: Can you name some of the neurological disorders?

GR: Attention disorders

Learning disabilities

Autism spectrum disorder

Head trauma

Alzheimer

Parkinson’s

DD: Have you ever developed an effective treatment plan for a brain injury and was it successful?

GR: In France, the neuropsychologist does not prescribe drugs, but once the work has been done, he can offer brain rehabilitation generally called cognitive remediation. The goal is to work on the deficit functions in order to allow the patient to compensate well, to gain autonomy and self-confidence.

DD: What method do you use to analyze symptoms of brain injuries or abnormal brain functioning?

GR: The neuropsychologist relies on batteries of standardized tests. Each battery of tests evaluates a specific function. Then the neuropsychologist interprets the results and writes a report which he gives to the patient explaining the concluding assessment

DD: How would you present yourself when acting as an expert witness at any social encounter?

GR:I am a specialist in the evaluation of cognitive functions. My role is to see if there is a correlation between a cognitive mode of functioning and behavioral, emotional and psychological peculiarities.

DD: Does neuropsychology can assist to learning disabilities?

GR: Yes, absolutely, because neuropsychology is the knowledge of how the brain works. Sometimes the content is not difficult to understand or learn but it is the method that is problematic. With neuropsychology, we learn how our brain works and we can optimize our skills to be more efficient

DD: Can your science solve any social issues? Tell me more about it.

GR: Yes, because psychology, behavior and cognitive capacities are linked. If the person performs better, he regains self-confidence and can participate in active life in society more easily.