Cohen Center Addresses Problems with Attention Deficit and Substance Abuse, with help from Intelligent Office

A graduate of the Georgia School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Neal Cohen, a licensed psychologist, has been assessing and treating substance abusers since 1992. He has practiced in a variety of settings ranging including non-profit mental health organizations, state hospitals, and a group practice, but it was in 2006 that he decided to go out on his own.

“Ultimately, I determined it was time to set up my own practice outside the barriers of an existing agency or partnership and implement ideas formed by 15 years of experience,” explained Dr. Neal Cohen.

Today Dr. Cohen and the Louis Cohen Center for At Risk Behavior provide services to individuals engaging in behavior that place them at risk for negative consequences.

One population at risk is children with attention deficit problems.

“We know that attention deficits in childhood if not addressed result in problems across the lifespan. These children are at risk for adult attention problems that negatively impact their quality of life – whether it be problems at work, home, or at play. Of significant concern is that untreated attention problems increase the risk for adolescent substance use disorders,” explained Dr. Cohen. “If those risk factors can be evaluated and managed in children, the outcomes in adolescence and adulthood may be improved.”

Dr. Cohen's interest in attention problems and substance abuse has placed him at the forefront of his field.

"I seem to always ride the leading edge of the wave in my professional work," explains Dr. Cohen. "For example, I was one of the first U.S. clinicians to identify the relationship between working memory, attention and substance use disorders. This foresight lead me to the Cogmed Working Memory Training Program."

The Cohen Center uses the Cogmed Working Memory Training program to help young people strengthen their working memory, improve their attention thus reducing their degree of risk as they develop. The Cohen Center is the only licensed provider of the Cogmed Working Memory Training in Georgia.

The Cogmed Working Memory Training program is a research-based approach to improving working memory which has been shown to underlie development problems and academic underachievement.

“This is a breakthrough clinically-proven program for a child with attention deficits,” continued Dr. Cohen.

Another problem area that the Cohen Center routinely deals with is substance use disorders. Dr. Cohen believes that early consultation, assessment, and interventions can improve outcomes in the classroom and workplace while improving inter-relations among family members.

“At the Cohen Center, we use a multi-factor and multi-interval assessment or measurement of the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of substance use disorders,” continued Dr. Cohen.

Couples going through the divorce process often express concerns about alcohol and drug use. When those concerns are voiced by one party or the other, Dr. Cohen is often called in by their attorney (a divorce attorney or an attorney negotiating custody issues) to better understand the concerns about substance use.

“What we are trying to do at the Cohen Center is to lower the risk that the entire family faces,” continued Dr. Cohen. “Our goal is to improve people’s ability to parent by helping them to manage the things that are getting in their way.”

The Cohen Center made their home at the Roswell location of Intelligent Office in February of 2007. Not only do they see patients and clients in their office, but they rely heavily on Intelligent Office for both IT and administrative support.

“Intelligent Office manages all of my calls as well as my appointment book,” confided Dr. Cohen. “Just this week I received a compliment from a trusted colleague on the professionalism of my administrative assistant. I can honestly tell you that establishing an office with Intelligent Office is one of my best career decisions in my book.”

For more information about the Louis Cohen Center for At Risk Behavior, contact Dr. Neal Cohen at (678) 353-3277 or visit
www.cohen-center.com.

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