Ellen Shirman, PsyD

Psychologist

Dr. Ellen Shirman is a Psychologist in Encino, CA with special training and skill in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. As a Psychologist, Ellen Shirman, PsyD performs mental health assessment and therapy. Psychology is a medical specialty focused on helping patients understand the causes of their mental health disorders so they can be treated with therapy or medication. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Psychologists include depression, anxiety, specific phobias, alcohol, drug, and gambling addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), mood disorders, behavioral disorders, bereavement, and marital problems. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Psychologists include mental health assessment and diagnosing, psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, group therapy, addiction counseling, marriage counseling, exposure therapy, and referral to other specialists as needed.

A psychologist is an individual who is licensed to practice psychology which is defined as the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, and modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures, for the purpose of preventing or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health. The practice of psychology includes, but is not limited to, psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics, such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy; diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorder or disability, alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, as well as of the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability; and psycheducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation. Psychological services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups and the public.

Neuropsychologist

Dr. Ellen Shirman is a Neuropsychologist in Encino, CA with special training and skill in evaluating and treating nervous system disorders, then determining how illnesses, injuries, and diseases of the brain and nervous system influence the way a patient feels, thinks, and behaves. As a Neuropsychologist, Ellen Shirman, PsyD performs the evaluation, assessment, and diagnosis of various brain conditions. Neuropsychology is the study and evaluation of the relationship between the brain and behavior in order to treat dysfunctions in that relationship. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Neuropsychologists include headaches, Parkinson's disease, movement disorders like epilepsy, as well as memory and cognitive disorders. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Neuropsychologists include bedside cognitive and behavioral neurologic screens; evaluation of intelligence, executive functions (such as planning, abstraction, conceptualization), attention, memory, language, perception, sensorimotor functions, motivation, mood state and emotion, quality of life, and personality styles.

A clinical psychologist who applies principles of assessment and intervention based upon the scientific study of human behavior as it relates to normal and abnormal functioning of the central nervous system. The specialty is dedicated to enhancing the understanding of brain-behavior relationships and the application of such knowledge to human problems.