FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2014

Northwestern Mental Health Center, Inc. welcomes Dr. Heather Pedersen,

Minnesota Licensed Clinical Neuropsychologist

Contact: Northwestern Mental Health Center (218) 281-3940 to schedule an appointment.

Crookston, MN: Starting September 2
nd
, 2014, the Northwestern Mental Health Center, Inc. (NWMHC)
is pleased to welcome Dr. Heather Pedersen, LP, Ph.D., Neuropsychologist, to its outpatient staff. Dr.
Pedersen will provide comprehensive evaluations for adolescents and adults with a variety of
developmental, learning, medical, neurological, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. Dr. Pedersen has
specialized training in the evaluation of traumatic brain injury, stroke, seizure disorders, attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, substance abuse, multiple sclerosis, and dementia, as
well as other neuropsychiatric and medical disorders. Dr. Pedersens office is located in Crookston, MN.
Please call (218) 281-3940 for appointments or more information.

Neuropsychology is a subspecialty within psychology that focuses on brain-behavior relationships. A
neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist who has undergone additional training to develop expertise in
how different cognitive abilities and behaviors are related to brain functioning. Any injury, disease, or disorder
that impacts the brain can lead to changes in behavior and cognition. Possible reasons for referral to a
neuropsychologist include: Assessment of cognitive strengths or weaknesses; identification of cognitive
dysfunction following certain medical diagnoses such as stroke, seizure disorder, concussion, or dementia;
characterizing learning or attentional difficulties in adolescents or adults; documentation of brain function over
time, in the case of chronic medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or neurofibromatosis; diagnostic
clarification in the context of comorbid psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders.

What this means for residents of our communities is access to a subspecialty service that is hard to find
without having to drive for hours. Through relationships the NWMHC has with various healthcare facilities,
schools and human service agencies across the region, Dr. Pedersen will be available to patients in a variety of
ways to help minimize the travel and financial burden. In addition, Dr. Pedersen will work with the patient,
caregivers and other supports to develop a plan based on the evaluation results that will help the patient be
successful.

Originally from California, Heather Pedersen graduated with her Bachelors degree from California State
University, Fresno. She moved to Minnesota and obtained her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North
Dakota in Clinical Psychology. She is a licensed Psychologist in the state of Minnesota who completed
focused training in Neuropsychology during her one-year pre-doctoral internship and two-year postdoctoral
fellowship while employed within the Veterans Affairs Medical system. Dr. Pedersen seeks to provide
detailed, comprehensive recommendations for both clients and providers, as appropriate.

The Northwestern Mental Health Center, Inc. has provided services in the community for over 50 years; we
offer a comprehensive, integrated system of care to enhance individual and family health and well-being. It is
our mission at the Northwestern Mental Health Center, Inc. to provide high quality services and relationships
which promote wellness and recovery so that individuals and families are successful in achieving their
personal goals for an enhanced quality of life. For more information visit us at www.nwmhc.org and like us on
Facebook.