Professor Laura Goldstein

Laura joined the  Department of Psychology in 1987. She is a  Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Maudsley Hospital, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, where she provides a clinical neuropsychology service to the Neuropsychiatry department.  Laura is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and have undertaken internationally recognised research into the neuropsychological and broader psychological consequences of neurological disorders (especially motor neuron disease and epilepsy) and their comorbidities. 

Recently Laura has been involved in evaluating psychoeducational and psychological interventions for people with epilepsy and have been leading an NIHR HTA-funded randomised controlled trial of cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with dissociative (non-epileptic) seizures (the CODES Trial).  She is currently also involved in NIHR HTA-funded trials studying the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for people with motor neuron disease and the use of specialist physiotherapy for adults with functional movement  disorder. 

Previously, Laura played a major role in the post-qualification training of UK clinical neuropsychologists through leading PG Diploma courses at the Institute of Psychiatry over a 16-year period. Together with Jane McNeil, Laura co-edited two editions of “Clinical Neuropsychology. A Practical Guide to Assessment and Management for Clinicians” (2nd edition 2013; Wiley) as well The Clinical Psychologist's Handbook of Epilepsy: Assessment and Management.  Routledge Press (published in 1997) which I co-edited with Christine Cull. 

Research Interests:

• Neuropsychology – especially motor neuron disease and other neurological disorders 
• Psychological aspects of neurological disorders and their comorbidities 
• Psychological and other interventions for motor neuron disease, epilepsy, dissociative seizures and functional movement disorder. 

Teaching:

Laura teaches neuropsychology on the DClinPsy programme as well as on the MSc in Clinical Neuropsychiatry. Laura also provide teaching on neuropsychology for the Maudsley trainees.

Expertise and Public Engagement:

Laura is currently a member of the International League Against Epilepsy’s Psychology Task Force and a Director of the Functional Neurological Disorder Society.