Sharon M. Theroux, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist

EDUCATION

POST DOCTORAL TRAINING

Psychological Services Group, Boca Raton, Florida. Resident responsibilities included the provision of psychodiagnostic evaluations (psychological, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological assessment) of children and adults, individual and group psychotherapy, and biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy for this private group practice. Supervisors: Michael Adamse, Ph.D. and Carlton Gass, Ph.D.

9/94-8/95

INTERNSHIP

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida. Fully accredited by the American Psychological Association. General intern responsibilities included neuropsychological examinations, the provision of long-term psychotherapy, the completion of psychological assessment batteries, and attendance at weekly educational seminars and Case Conferences. Additional educational seminars were offered by the University of Miami School of Medicine on a weekly basis.

3/95-8/95

INTERNSHIP ROTATIONS

CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
The clinical neuropsychology rotation satisfied the pre-doctoral requirements for a neuropsychology internship established by Division 40 of the American Psychological Association. This six-month rotation provided training in basic principles of neuropsychological assessment, use of MMPI-2 with neurologic patients, functional neuroanatomy, and neuropathology. Assessment focused on clinical interviews, observations, administration of a standardized battery, norm-referenced scoring, test interpretation and report writing. Common diagnostic groups included dementia, traumatic brain injury, stroke, chronic alcoholism, Parkinsonism, schizophrenia, PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression and multiple sclerosis. A broad range of referral questions from throughout the medical center included those related to differential diagnosis, delineation of competency, measuring changes over time, and assisting in planning a program of rehabilitation. Training in functional neuroanatomy and neuropathology was provided through didactic presentations, attendance at brain cutting, and attendance at weekly Neurology and Neuropathology Grand Rounds at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Supervisor: Carlton Gass, Ph.D.

9/94-11/94

BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE and REHABILITATION

This inpatient medical unit rotation focused on the patients' adjustment to disability and their compliance with treatment. Inpatients on the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service included veterans recovering from and adapting to traumatic brain injury, strokes, amputation, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and other medical conditions. Training included behavioral medicine interventions, psychological assessment, neuropsychological screening; brief psychotherapy, group and family interventions, cognitive retraining, and neurocollaboration with other disciplines that comprised the multidisciplinary team. Supervisors: Timothy Lawler, Ph.D. and Diane Polakoff, Psy.D.

12/94-2/95

THE COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT PROGRAM

The CTP is a 25-bed program for open ward treatment of a variety of problems requiring intensive psychotherapeutic efforts. These include anxiety and depressive disorders, major psychiatric disorders with alcohol withdrawal and alcohol rehabilitation, including patients with MICA (mentally ill chemically addicted). The program utilized a multidisciplinary assessment, individual therapy, group process therapy, psychoeducation groups, and family interventions. Supervisor: Teresa Rosario, Ph.D.

9/91-8/92

CLINICAL PRACTICA

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Nova University Neuropsychological Services, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Adult and child outpatient referrals from physicians, hospitals, attorneys, and public clinics. Patient diagnosis and syndromes included the following: Closed Head Injury, Dementia (Parkinson's Alcoholic and Alzheimer's type), Seizure Disorder, Delirium secondary to hypoxia, Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Bipolar Disorder. Neuropsychological instruments used: WAIS-R, WISC-R, WISC-III, McCarthy Scales, WMS-R, WRAML, MMPI-2, BDI, CBCL, Conners Parent and Teacher Checklist, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, VMI, WRAT-R, PIAT-R, PPVT-R, RAVLT, Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure, Grooved Pegboard, Depth Perception, Judgment of Line Orientation, Wisconsin Card Sort, Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test, Boston Naming Test, Folstein Mini Mental State, Multilingual Aphasia Exam, Reitan-Klove Sensory Perceptual Exam, and the Halstead Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery for Adults and Children. Neuropsychological evaluations included clinical interview, neuropsychological and personality testing, interpretation, and report preparation. Supervisor: Wiley Mittenberg, Ph.D., ABPP-CN

9/91-8/92

BIOFEEDBACK/THERAPY

Nova University Community Mental Health Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Adult outpatient referrals from physicians, neurologists, orthopedists, psychologists and public clinics. Responsibilities included: intake assessments using clinical interview and the MMPI-2, individual psychotherapy (using biofeedback techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, Jacobsonian Progressive Muscle Relaxation, passive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, visual imagery), and group therapy for chronic pain. Patient diagnoses and syndromes included the following: Psychological Factors Affecting Physical Condition, Migraine and Tension Headaches, Chronic Pain. Supervisor: Doyle Montgomery, Ph.D. and Cheryl Gotthelf, Ph.D.

9/92-9/93

DUAL DIAGNOSIS PROGRAM

Nova Community Mental Health Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Adult outpatient referrals generated from psychiatric hospitals, community substance abuse programs, and the Broward County Court System. Patient diagnosis and syndromes included those individuals diagnosed with a substance abuse/dependency problem in addition to a major psychiatric disorder. Responsibilities included: intake assessments using clinical interview and the MMPI-2, individual and group psychotherapy with patients diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Major Depression, Dysthymia, Bipolar Disorder, Agoraphobia, and various personality disorders. Psychotherapeutic approached utilized included psychodynamic as well as cognitive-behavioral techniques. Supervisors: Alan Kent, Ph.D., Bady Quintar, Ph.D.

10/96-present

1/98-1/99

10/96-1/99

6/93-5/94

5/92-5/93

12/91-4/92

1980-1990

WORK EXPERIENCE

Christopher J. Fichera, Ph.D., Sharon M. Theroux, Ph.D. and Associates, PA. , Boca Raton, Florida. Group practice. Responsibilities include the provision of neuropsychological examinations, individual psychotherapy, biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy, chronic painmanagement, and psychological assessment of adults and children.

CONSULTANT, St. Mary's Rehabilitation Center. Responsibilities include the provision of neuropsychological assessment and individual out-patient psychotherapy for this facility which specializes in the treatment of patient's recovering from physical injury.

CONSULTANT, National Recovery Institute. Responsibilities include the provision of psychological and neuropsychological assessment for this in-patient facility that specializes in addictive disorders.

RESEARCH COORDINATOR, Neuropsychological Services, Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Coordinated research project on the neuropsychological correlates of head trauma at Broward General Medical Center and North Broward Medical Center. Responsibilities included: supervision of practicum students in the psychoeducational treatment of Postconcussion Syndrome and neuropsychological testing; provision of inservice education regarding this study to medical staff, and assistance in data entry and analysis. Supervisor: Wiley Mittenberg, Ph.D.

CLINIC COORDINATOR, Neuropsychological Services, Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Responsibilities included: interviewing and screening patients for neuropsychological evaluation, scheduling patient appointments, supervising doctoral students in the administration of neuropsychological tests, and performing neuropsychological evaluations (including neuropsychological and personality testing, clinical interview, interpretation, and report preparation). Supervisor: Wiley Mittenberg, Ph.D.

TEACHING ASSISTANT, Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Conducted teaching lab on the application of biofeedback to doctoral students in Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology.

REGISTERED NURSE, Coronary Care and Intensive Care units, Plantation General Hospital, Plantation, Florida. Certified CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) and in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support).

AWARDS

Recipient of the Nelson Butters Award for Research Contributions to Clinical Neuropsychology

PUBLICATIONS

Mittenberg, W., Theroux, S., Aguila-Puentes, G., Bianchini, K., Greve, K., and Rayls, K. (2001). Identification of Malingered Head Injury on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - 3rd Edition. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, (Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 440-445)

Rayls, K.R., Mittenberg, W., Burns, W., & Theroux, S. (2000). A Prospective Study of the MMPI-2 Correction Factor After Mild Head Injury. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 4 (1), 1-5.

Mittenberg, W., Tremont, G., Fichera S., Zielinski, R., & Rayls, K., (1996). Cognitive behavioral prevention of post concussion syndrome.
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 11 (2), 139-145.

Mittenberg, W., Tirapu Ustarroz, J., Zielinski, R., Casi Arbonies, A., Fichera, S., Albeniz Freras, A., (1999) Sindrome postconmozional: una guia de tratamiento para los pacientes. Post-Concussion Syndrome: A Treatment Guide for Patients. Anales de Psiquiatira 15 (7), 315-323

Fichera, S., Mittenberg, W., Zielinski, R., Rayls, K., & Tremont, G. (1995). Frontal and subcortical contributions to the severity of post traumatic agitation. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 1994 post Traumatic agitation. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 1994.

Zielinski, R, Theroux-Fichera, S., Rayls, K., Tremont, G. & Mittenberg, W. (1995). The effects of alcohol on neuropsychological functioning following head injury. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 10, (4), 409.

Mittenberg, W., Theroux-Fichera, S., Zielinski, R. & Heilbronner, R. (1995). Identification of Malingered Head Injury on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Revised. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 26 (5), 491-498.

Theroux-Fichera, S., Weinstein, J.M., Zielinski, R., Gold, S., & Mittenberg, W. (1994). Recovery of Temporal Orientation after head injury.The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 8, 344.

Fichera, S., Zielinski, R., Tremont, G. & Mittenberg, W. (1994) Psychometric Properties of the Agitated Behavior Scale.
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 9, 127.

Fichera, S., Zielinski, R., & Mittenberg, W. (1993). Neuropsychological Correlates of Post- Traumatic Agitation.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 15, P. 105.

Mittenberg, W., Zielinski, R., & Fichera, S. (1993). Recovery from Mild Head Injury: A Treatment Manual for Patients. Psychotherapy in Private Practice, 12 (2), 37-52.

Zielinski, R., Theroux-Fichera, S., Tremont, G., Rayls, K.R. & Mittenberg, W. (in press). Normative Data for the Agitated Behavior Scale. The Clinical Neuropsychologist.

Zielinski, R.E., Fichera, S.M. & Mittenberg, W. (1993). Vocabulary as a premorbid indicator of I.Q. in head injury. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 15 (4), P. 335.

MEMBERSHIPS

1993-Present  -  Academy of Neuropsychology

1991-Present -   American Psychological Association (Division 40: Clinical Neuropsychology)  

1999-Present  -   International Neuropsychological Society

2000-Present  -         CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD)

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