Nancy Hafkin, PhD in Baltimore: Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychological Assessment

Nancy Hafkin holds a PhD in clinical psychology and practices in Baltimore as a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in neuropsychological assessment, cognitive testing, and diagnostic evaluation. Her practice serves adults and older adults who require detailed evaluation of memory, attention, language, and executive function, often for medical, legal, or treatment-planning purposes. She works independently in Baltimore and accepts many insurance plans, positioning her as one of the city's established options for in-depth cognitive and psychological assessment outside hospital systems.

What she actually is

A neuropsychologist is different from a general psychiatrist or therapist. Hafkin administers standardized cognitive tests that measure specific brain functions, then produces a detailed report interpreting results in light of a patient's history and medical condition. This is not psychotherapy; it is diagnostic assessment. Most referrals come from neurologists, primary care physicians, or attorneys seeking objective evidence of cognitive change after stroke, head injury, dementia concerns, or other neurological conditions. Patients typically attend one initial consultation and then multiple testing sessions lasting two to four hours each.

Services and assessment scope

Hafkin's practice centers on neuropsychological evaluation, which involves administering tests of memory (short and long-term), processing speed, language, visuospatial skills, and executive function (planning, problem-solving). The scope extends to psychological assessment for depression, anxiety, and personality factors that can affect cognition or confound interpretation of test results.

Typical referral questions include ruling out mild cognitive impairment versus normal aging, identifying cognitive effects of a stroke or traumatic brain injury, assessing capacity for independent living or decision-making, and documenting baseline function before surgery or major treatment. She also evaluates patients whose attorneys need clear documentation of cognitive deficits following an injury.

Assessment cost and insurance vary. Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, including testing and a written report, typically ranges from $1,200 to $2,500 depending on complexity and whether psychological testing is added. Confirm current rates with her office; many insurance plans cover assessment when medically necessary, though some require prior authorization. Self-pay rates apply if insurance does not cover. The full process takes 4 to 6 weeks from initial consultation to final report.

How she compares to other Baltimore neuropsychology options

Baltimore has two main routes for neuropsychological assessment: private practitioners like Hafkin and hospital-based departments. Johns Hopkins Hospital and University of Maryland Medical Center both house neuropsychology services, typically within departments of neurology or geriatric medicine. Hospital-based assessment often sits within a larger care team, which can be helpful if you need coordinated follow-up with a neurologist, but wait times can be longer and costs may be higher depending on hospital billing. Hafkin's independent practice offers more scheduling flexibility and a focused, specialized assessment without hospital overhead.

Other psychologists in Baltimore offer psychological testing but may not specialize in neuropsychology. The distinction matters: a clinical psychologist can diagnose depression or anxiety; a neuropsychologist is trained to measure specific cognitive domains and interpret how brain injury or disease changes thinking. If your primary concern is cognitive function (memory, confusion, thinking speed), Hafkin's neuropsychological credential is the right match. If you need mental health care alongside possible cognitive concerns, a hospital-based team or a general psychologist may be appropriate.

Who benefits and who does not

Hafkin suits patients older than 50 with concerns about memory or thinking (especially after stroke, head injury, or dementia worry), people undergoing evaluation for capacity to live independently, patients whose attorneys need objective cognitive documentation, and anyone whose neurologist has asked for baseline cognitive testing before a procedure. Family members often request evaluation when they notice a relative's thinking is changing.

Hafkin is not the right fit if you need ongoing psychotherapy or psychiatric medication management. For crisis mental health support, depression requiring medication, or substance abuse treatment, contact your primary care doctor or an urgent mental health clinic. If your concern is a single symptom like anxiety or sleep, a general psychiatrist or therapist may be more practical than full neuropsychological testing.

What the first visit involves

Call Hafkin's office to discuss your referral reason and scheduling. You will have a brief phone screening, then book an initial appointment (usually 60 minutes) in which she takes a detailed medical, educational, and family history; discusses the reason for evaluation; and explains what testing will involve. This visit does not include testing itself.

Subsequent sessions (typically 2 to 4 sessions, each 2 to 4 hours) consist of formal testing. You sit at a table or desk and perform tasks: answering memory questions, solving puzzles, naming objects, copying designs, repeating numbers, and performing other cognitive exercises. Testing is not pass-or-fail; it measures how you perform relative to your age and education level. After testing, Hafkin writes a comprehensive report (usually 8 to 15 pages), interpreting results and often recommending next steps (follow-up testing in a year, referral to a neurologist, support for memory strategies, or documentation for legal purposes).

Hours, location, and access

Hafkin practices in Baltimore and accepts many insurance plans; call to confirm your coverage. Office hours typically span late mornings and afternoons; she does not generally offer evening hours. Street or lot parking is available depending on location. Confirm current address and parking details when you call. Testing sessions are scheduled by appointment only; she does not see walk-in patients.

Neuropsychological assessment is time-intensive and requires concentration, so expect a longer process than a single doctor visit. If you have difficulty sitting for long sessions or have a hearing or vision problem that affects testing, mention this during your initial consultation so she can adapt.

Why this practice fits Baltimore

Hafkin fills a gap in Baltimore's neuropsychology landscape for patients who want specialized cognitive assessment without routing through a hospital system. Her doctoral credential and independent practice model appeal to older adults, families navigating memory concerns, and attorneys who need detailed, independent evaluation.