Diana Michalczuk, Psy.D.

part-time instructor, the donald everett axinn division of social sciences

dmichalczuk@svc.edu

Education

  • Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, Midwestern University, 2010
  • M.A., Clinical Psychology, Midwestern University 2007
  • B.S., Psychology, Loyola University, Chicago, 2005

Courses

    Clinical Neuropsychology of Aging
    This course is patient based, therefore students learn about various dementias and the neuropsychological assessments and imaging studies used to support these diagnoses. Then students apply this knowledge to actual patient cases and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan.

academic Research/interests

The effects of supplements on cognition. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Currently, I am involved in working with patients in several different clinical trials aimed at slowing or halting the progression of Alzheimer's disease at the Memory Clinic.

areas of expertise

Neuropsychological assessment and diagnosis of various dementias/neurodegenerative disorders.
Psychotherapy with adolescents and adults.

Why I teach

I enjoy sharing knowledge and breaking down challenging concepts into palatable information for students. I enjoy when students use their previously acquired knowledge and apply it to new concepts, making connections, and seeing them develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

Favorite Book

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Favorite film

Amelie

Best part of being at SVC

Students at SVC are willing to learn, and the small class size allows for more intimate discussions of topics and patient cases and for building relationships with students. In my course-making connections between learned knowledge and application to real life is important, therefore students have the opportunity to observe actual patients at the Memory Clinic that are undergoing evaluation in pursuit of a diagnosis.