Nicole M Fornalski
Columbus,OH
Summary
Passionate early-career rehabilitation psychologist/neuropsychologist working with the diverse adult rehabilitation population at OSU Dodd Hall and McCampbell outpatient burn care. My area of interests range from brain injury, stroke, burn injury, and spinal cord injury to adjustment disorders and behavioral sleep medicine. My clinical focus includes psychological intervention tailoring humanistic, CBT, ACT, DBT, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) approaches as well as conducting neuropsychological evaluations. Other passions include geropsychology, suicide prevention, consultation/liaison with multidisciplinary teams, community outreach, and professional networking.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Outpatient Rehabilitation Psychologist/Neuropsychologist
The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
06.2023 - Current
- Enhance patient recovery by implementing evidence-based therapeutic interventions tailored to individual needs.
- Assess patients' cognitive, emotional, and functional abilities utilizing comprehensive clinical interviews and standardized screeners (as applicable)
- Develop personalized psychotherapy treatments plans in collaboration with patients.
- Provide psychoeducation to patients and families regarding mental health disorders, neurological conditions, coping strategies, cognitive compensatory strategies, and community resources.
- Establish a strong rapport with patients by demonstrating empathy, active listening, and effective communication throughout therapy sessions.
- Apply neuropsychological knowledge to evaluations by interpreting standardized testing and developing individualized recommendations and return to work/school/driving plans for patients with brain injuries and various neurological/medical conditions.
- Collaborate/liaison with interdisciplinary teams as needed to provide optimal care for patients with neurological disorders.
- Manage caseloads effectively, ensuring timely completion of evaluations, reports, and treatments for each patient under my care.
- Participate in educational programs, professional seminars, local and national psychological conventions to remain abreast of current topics, research, and ethical considerations
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
09.2021 - 06.2023
- Spine Consultation Service (Sept 2021-March 2022): Rotation supervisor: Kristen Jackson, Ph.D. ABPP-RP
- Stroke/Neurovascular Consultation Service (March 2022 – Sept 2022): Rotation supervisor: Lisa Batchos, Ph.D.
- TBI Service (Sept 2022 – March 2023): Rotation supervisor: Tracy Shannon, Psy.D., ABPP-CN, ABPP-RP
- Outpatient rehabilitation psychotherapy/outpatient neuropsychological evaluations (March 2023 - June 2023): Rotation supervisors: Wanda McEntyre, PhD, ABPP-RP (Outpatient rehab psychology) Tracy Shannon, Psy.D. ABPP-CN, ABPP-RP (Outpatient rehab neuropsychology)
PRE-DOCTORAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERNSHIP
Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
07.2020 - 07.2021
- Outpatient Neuropsychology Rotation: Clinical Supervisor: Racha Fares, Psy.D., Clinical Neuropsychologist
- Acute Inpatient Psychiatry: Clinical Supervisor: Jeff Lawley Ph.D., Staff Psychologist for Acute Behavioral Health
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Residential Treatment Program (PRRTP): Clinical Supervisors: Kray Scully, Ph.D., Graduate Psychologist and Angela Hatcher, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist, PRRTP Program Manager
Education
PsyD, Doctor of Psychology - Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, FL08.2021
Master of Science - Clinical Psychology
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, FL09.2019
Bachelor of Science - Behavioral Neuroscience
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL12.2013
Skills
- Individual psychotherapy
- Patient and family counseling
- Neuropsychological background
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Excellent communication
- Interpersonal Skills
- Rapport Building
- Emotional awareness
- Crisis intervention
- Coordinating community resources
Research Experience
PUBLICATIONS:
- Schultz, K. R., McGrath, S., Keary, T., Meng, C., Batchos, E., Evans, L., Fields, D., Cummings, D., & Fornalski, N. (pending, 2024). A multidisciplinary approach to assessment and management of post-acute COVID cognitive concerns, Life Sciences.
- Fornalski, N. M., Lashley, L., Golden, C. J. (2020). Marriage in old age. In R. Summers, C. Golden, L. Lashley, E. Ailes (Eds.), Essays in developmental psychology.
- Fornalski, N. M., Lashley, L., Golden, C. J. (2020). Role transitions. In R. Summers, C. Golden, L. Lashley, E. Ailes (Eds.), Essays in developmental psychology.
PROJECTS:
- Nov 2021 – June 2023: Ohio Regional Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems – Observational research study
Completed training related to TBI treatment and outcome measures (e.g. FIM, DRS, Satisfaction of Life Scale) and neuropsychological screenings (i.e. BTACT). Participated in Form I Medical abstraction and Form II and Cognitive Trajectories module data collection. Conducted follow up phone interviews with persons with TBI including questionnaires and BTACT cognitive screening. Provided resources as needed. Collaboration with research team. Research supervisors: Cynthia Beaulieu, Ph.D., ABPP-CN & Jennifer Bogner, Ph.D.
- Oct 2020 – Jun 2021: Vietnam veterans long-term project– comparative neuropsychological case studies in individuals exposed to Agent Orange
Observational research project included comparing the neuropsychological profiles (cognitive, emotional, motor symptoms) of Vietnam veterans who completed an outpatient neuropsychological evaluation. Literature review and in-depth analysis was conducted as veterans presented with parkinsonian features and a variety of comorbidities. Research supervisor: Racha Fares, Psy.D.
Community outreach/volunteering
- Crisis Text Line Volunteer crisis counselor (Jan 2022 - present)
- Guest speaker on "Traumatic brain injury and suicide" for Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Monthly Webinar Series (March 2023)
- Co-presenter on "TBI and Suicide" as part of an OSU Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Webinar Series
Certification
- Licensed Psychologist
State of Ohio Board of Psychology
License P.08416 (issued: 2022, Active)
Honors/Awards
- Edwin L. Shatus, PhD Outstanding Psychology Resident Award (July 2021)
Timeline
Outpatient Rehabilitation Psychologist/Neuropsychologist
The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
06.2023 - Current
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
09.2021 - 06.2023
PRE-DOCTORAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERNSHIP
Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
07.2020 - 07.2021
PsyD, Doctor of Psychology - Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology
Nova Southeastern University
Master of Science - Clinical Psychology
Nova Southeastern University
Bachelor of Science - Behavioral Neuroscience
Florida Atlantic University
- Licensed Psychologist
State of Ohio Board of Psychology
License P.08416 (issued: 2022, Active)
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