Neuro-psychology - what is it?

Because of an automobile accident (not my fault - and the other driver admitted full fault at the scene)I'm seeing a slew of specialists on a regular basis. A neurosurgeon (I have four severely herniated discs in my neck), an orthopedic surgeon (torn rotater cuff) and a pain management specialist (to name a few). My new physical therapist (with a PHD)is sending me for more tests. One of the new doctors I have to see is a neuro-psychologist. I have no clue what that's all about, and after googling it almost everything that came up was very 'new age'. To be honest, at this point I want science - not aromatherapy. Could someone explain, in layman terms, what I'm in for?

a neuropsychologist tests you for behavioral and motor issues that are associated with traumatic brain injury...they can actually work with you if your brain is injured to "reroute" functions done by one area of the brain to another.

Timothy Leary named a model of human consciousness he developed 'Neuropsychology', also called 'metaprogramming' by John Lily.

It's completely unrelated to the medical field of neuropsychology.

When is Neuropsychological Evaluation Needed?

A neuropsychological evaluation is recommended for any case in which brain-based impairment in cognitive function or behavior is suspected. Typical referrals are made to diagnose or rule out the following conditions, and to describe their impact on a person's cognitive functioning:

Traumatic brain injury
Strokes
Developmental learning disabilities
Attention deficit disorders
Psychiatric or neuropsychiatric disorders
Seizure disorders
Medical illness or treatments
Effects of toxic chemicals or chronic substance abuse
Dementing conditions (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease)
http://www.neuropsychologycentral.com/interface/content/resources/resources_interface_frameset.html

Try TheShrub@whitehouse.gov

More generally, it's the biology of psychology-- the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of things that are normally the realm of psychology (with apologies to any psychologists out there in DU land), e.g. behavior, cognition, response to stress, and so on. Some of the clinical practice no doubt derives from neuropsychological studies of motor responses.

Frankly, as a biologist, neuropsych is probably the branch of psychology that I'm most comfortable with, primarily because it deals with measurable events and testable hypotheses in much the same way as any other animal physiology discipline. I don't really understand where to find the ego, but I know exactly where to look for neurotransmitter receptors.... Just my two cents and again my apologies to any psychologists who might disagree-- but hey! my comfort level's ok if your's is!