About HeadsUp Clinic

Dr. Joni T. Howard, PhD, Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Howard from HeadsUp Clinic is registered as both a clinical neuropsychologist and clinical psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. She also holds current licensure in Washington State as a clinical psychologist. Dr. Howard grew up in Havelock North and has recently returned home with her family following over a decade of training and practice in Seattle, United States.

Specialising in adult populations (16+ years), Dr. Howard sees patients for a variety of different presenting problems, however, she has a particular interest in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)/concussion in both acute and chronic recovery stages. She works clinically with mTBI patients; whilst in the United States she worked on the concussion response team for the Seattle Seawolves rugby team. She also has particular interest in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the impact of inattention and impulsivity in the everyday lives of her clients. Dr. Howard from HeadsUp Clinic also sees patients for a wide variety of cognitive issues related to ageing, including dementia and other memory-related difficulties.  

In terms of her clinical psychology practice, Dr. Howard's strong background in behavioural medicine (i.e., seeing patients who present with medical illness and symptoms), integrated with her practice as a neuropsychologist, allows her to provide truly holistic care to her clients, taking a comprehensive view of their health and their social, emotional, and behavioural functioning. She enjoys integrating compassionate care for her clients' concerns with the objective information obtained through her evaluations in order to help develop effective care plans and connect with her clients as individuals.

Dr. Howard brings her strong empathy to the provision of both assessment and psychotherapy services within the practice, with an emphasis on clinical neuropsychological evaluation.

Dr. Howard from HeadsUp Clinic completed her Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University of Wellington in psychology and political science. She completed a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with specialties in neuropsychology and behavioural medicine, at Washington State University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship in neuropsychology at the Medical University of South Carolina/Ralph H. Johnson Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center (Charleston Consortium), where she worked in the departments of neurology and behavioural medicine. She has also completed post-doctoral fellowships in cognitive assessment/behavioural medicine at Washington State University and within Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health, a private clinic specialising in concussive injury.