Gesenia Sloan-Pena

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Get to know Psychologist, Dr. Gesenia Sloan-Pena, who serves patients in Florida.

Dr. Sloan-Pena holds the esteemed position of Chief Neuropsychologist at Florida Neuropsychology Associates, LLC, a distinguished neuropsychology group practice located in Estero, Florida. 

Furthermore, at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, she plays a pivotal role as a supervising psychologist and holds the title of Associate Clinical Professor, in the College of Psychology.

Her vast expertise encompasses conducting comprehensive neuropsychological assessments for a spectrum of purposes, including workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, and civil forensic evaluations. Dr. Sloan-Pena’s proficiency extends to providing expert testimony and being retained for numerous neuropsychological assessments, solidifying her status as a nationally recognized authority in clinical and forensic neuropsychology, particularly with bilingual Spanish-speaking children and adults.

Embarking on her educational path, Dr. Sloan-Pena earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication and Speech from Northwestern University in 1998. Subsequently, she pursued a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University in 2005. Later, she continued her academic pursuits at Pepperdine University, where she obtained a Doctor of Psychology Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2015. 

While at Pepperdine University, Dr. Sloan-Pena received training in conducting neuropsychological evaluations from the University of Southern California (USC) General Hospital as well as Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). She also provided individual psychotherapy and psychological evaluations at the Pepperdine University Counseling Clinic. 

Furthering her training, Dr. Sloan-Pena completed her internship at Kaiser Permanente Behavioral Health Department of Psychology/Psychiatry where she conducted neuropsychological and developmental evaluations as part of the Autism Clinic and Diabetes Clinic. She also participated in the Behavioral Medicine Clinic where she assisted in training the medical residents.

Completing a second internship at the Clinical Evaluation and Guidance Unit (CEGU) for the Orange County Health Care Agency, Dr. Sloan-Pena performed neuropsychological evaluations and provided individual therapy to foster/adopt children and youth. For three years, she also worked in a private practice in Orange County, California completing neuropsychological evaluations for pediatric, adults and geriatric patients. 

Finally, Dr. Sloan-Pena completed her training as a post-doctoral resident at Fullerton Neuropsychological Services. In this position, she conducted neuropsychological evaluations and provided individual and family therapy to children and young adults. She also completed a two-year, Academy of the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology (AABN), postdoctoral fellowship under the supervision of Dr. Geoffrey Kanter, Dr. Nancy Parsons, Dr. Kathy Baum and Dr. John Myers, where she conducted comprehensive adult and pediatric neuropsychological evaluations as well as inpatient and outpatient medical consultation.

On a professional level, Dr. Sloan-Pena is an esteemed member of the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, the Hispanic Neuropsychological Society, the Florida Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, Division 33 (intellectual and Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorder) and Division 40 (Society for Clinical Neuropsychology), and the International Neuropsychological Society.

Neuropsychology is a specialty profession that focuses on brain functioning. A clinical neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with expertise in how behavior and skills are related to brain structures and systems. In clinical neuropsychology, brain function is evaluated by objectively testing memory and thinking skills. A very detailed assessment of abilities is done, and the pattern of strengths and weaknesses is used in important health care areas, such as

diagnosis and treatment planning. The clinical neuropsychologist conducts the evaluation and makes recommendations. He or she may also provide treatment, such as cognitive rehabilitation, behavior management, or psychotherapy. 

Dr. Sloan-Pena also conducts forensic neuropsychological evaluations as it relates to critical legal questions. In forensic neuropsychology, specialists are not just concerned with whether the patient has a dysfunction, but whether the dysfunction resulted from an issue under consideration in a legal matter such as a criminal proceeding or an employment dispute. Forensic neuropsychologists may be called upon to deliver expert testimony in court or to consult with legal teams or law enforcement. Forensic neuropsychologists have undergone advanced training and accrued extensive experience to qualify to give legally admissible assessments. They may also work in clinical settings, and they must specialize in the forensic/legal application of their clinical knowledge and skills.

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