Highlands in Bloom is a licensed residential treatment center in Agoura Hills, California. Our clinical program is developed and overseen by Clinical Program Director Stacy McNeal, PhD, LMFT and Medical Director and Psychiatrist Dr. Todd Hill. Functional neurology consultation is available as an optional self-pay service at Highlands in Bloom for residential clients whose presentations involve neurological, cognitive, or nervous system dimensions that benefit from specialized functional assessment and support.
Please Note: The optional services listed below are provided by independent licensed professionals who are not employees or direct staff members of Highlands in Bloom. These services are coordinated through our clinical team and selected for their alignment with the integrative philosophy of our program, however they are delivered by outside practitioners and billed directly to the client on a self-pay basis. They are not covered by insurance through Highlands in Bloom and are not included in the standard residential program fee. Our admissions and clinical team is happy to help coordinate access and connect you with the appropriate professionals. Please reach out to us at (805) 892-6313 or through our contact page for more information.
What Is Functional Neurology?
Functional neurology is a clinical discipline that evaluates and addresses the function of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, with a focus on optimizing neurological performance and supporting the brain-body communication pathways that govern cognition, emotional regulation, movement, sensory processing, and immune function. Unlike conventional neurology, which focuses primarily on structural pathology and disease diagnosis, functional neurology addresses functional deficits in neurological activity that may not show up on standard imaging or laboratory tests but produce significant clinical symptoms.
Functional Neurology and Mental Health
Cognitive difficulties, emotional dysregulation, sensory sensitivities, attentional challenges, and mood instability can all have neurological dimensions that functional neurology assessment is equipped to identify and address. For clients managing ADHD, complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and the cognitive effects of chronic stress and burnout, functional neurology consultation can provide insights into the neurological patterns underlying their clinical presentation and inform targeted interventions to support brain function, nervous system regulation, and the physiological conditions for clinical recovery.
Functional Neurology and Autoimmune Conditions
Several autoimmune conditions produce significant neurological involvement that functional neurology is particularly relevant to address. Multiple sclerosis directly affects neurological function through demyelination of nerve fibers. Lupus can produce neuropsychiatric symptoms including cognitive impairment, mood changes, and headaches through central nervous system involvement. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome involve central sensitization and altered pain processing that reflect neurological dysfunction. Hashimoto’s encephalopathy is a rare but recognized autoimmune neurological condition. Functional neurology consultation assesses and supports brain-body communication patterns in these presentations within the broader residential treatment context.
Functional Neurology at Highlands in Bloom
Functional neurology consultation is available as an optional self-pay service and is coordinated through the clinical team to ensure alignment with each client’s individualized treatment plan. Consultation is reviewed by Medical Director and Psychiatrist Dr. Todd Hill and Clinical Program Director Stacy McNeal, PhD, LMFT to ensure appropriate integration of functional neurology findings into the broader clinical picture. This service extends the integrative framework of the residential program for clients whose presentations indicate neurological assessment and support as a meaningful adjunct to core clinical care.
FAQs
What does a functional neurologist do?
A functional neurologist evaluates the function of the nervous system, identifying patterns of neurological activity that may be contributing to cognitive difficulties, emotional dysregulation, pain, sensory symptoms, or immune dysfunction, and develops targeted interventions to support neurological performance and brain-body communication.
How is functional neurology different from conventional neurology?
Conventional neurology focuses primarily on diagnosing and treating neurological diseases and structural pathology. Functional neurology focuses on optimizing nervous system function and addressing functional deficits that may not be visible on standard imaging but produce significant symptoms. The two approaches are complementary rather than mutually exclusive.
Is functional neurology consultation included in the residential program?
Functional neurology consultation is an optional self-pay service at Highlands in Bloom and is not included in the standard residential program fee. It is available for clients whose presentations indicate clinical benefit from specialized neurological assessment and support.
Which conditions benefit most from functional neurology consultation?
Clients managing multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, ADHD, complex trauma, PTSD, lupus with neuropsychiatric involvement, and the cognitive effects of chronic stress and burnout may benefit most from functional neurology consultation at Highlands in Bloom.
Take the First Step
Highlands in Bloom accepts clients from across California and the United States. Our admissions team is available daily for a complimentary, confidential clinical consultation. Call us at (805) 892-6313 or visit highlandsinbloom.com/contact. We are in-network with Blue Shield of California and Aetna and accept most major PPO plans.