Brain Breakthroughs: Transforming Substance Use and Behavioral Health Treatment

Dr. Amber Deckard is at the helm of a team committed to pioneering advances in psychological and neuropsychological evaluations.
As a clinical neuropsychologist, she collaborates with a diverse team focused on identifying and addressing various concurrent disorders. Her responsibilities extend to clinical oversight, offering consultancy, mentoring, participating as a team player, and managing clinic responsibilities. Leading effectively and maintaining open, precise communication are fundamental to her position, fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust, and collaborative effort. She specializes in evaluating the impact of injuries, illnesses, and psychological disorders on cognitive abilities and behavior. Her approach to providing feedback is distinctive and permeable, rooted in meaning. Dr. Deckard frequently addresses diagnostic factors such as brain injuries, strokes, chronic pain, stress, psychological disorders, and personality traits, the effects of multiple medications (polypharmacy), substance abuse, dementia, intellectual capabilities (IQ), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mental capacity, among other conditions. Following her honorable service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Dr. Deckard pursued an exemplary academic path marked by achievements that include graduating with distinction from both Indian River State College and Florida Atlantic University, with an Associate Degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, respectively. Transitioning seamlessly into her postgraduate studies, she pursued her master's and doctoral degrees at Nova Southeastern University. She now holds a Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree, with an emphasis in Neuropsychology. Her pursuit of comprehensive knowledge did not stop there. While completing her doctoral degree, she engaged in additional neuropsychology practicums, surpassing the required minimum to ensure a broad and in-depth understanding of the field. A pivotal component of her training was her doctoral internship at a Veteran's Affairs (VA) joint ambulatory care center, providing her with exceptional interdisciplinary training. Further enhancing her skill set, she dedicated three years to post-doctoral training in forensic psychological assessment, forensic neuropsychology, and clinical neuropsychology, all under the mentorship of board-certified psychologists and neuropsychologists. Dr. Deckard’s extensive and rigorous training, firmly rooted in evidence-based practices, has equipped her with an exceptional syndrome-based understanding of neuropsychological disorders. Dr. Deckard currently harbors over ten years of dedicated experience in neuropsychology, with more than six of those years spent in hands-on training and leadership roles. Her career journey before joining Caron in 2024 includes founding and serving as the CEO of a concierge neuropsychology practice and formerly serving as the directing of training at a neuropsychological testing, memory, and therapy practice, and as the neuropsychology practicum co-supervisor at a memory and wellness center. In her capacity as practicum co-supervisor, she was instrumental in improving and shaping the core aspects of the program, tailoring its objectives and material effectively. She established a neuropsychological assessment battery and reporting structure that aligned with the latest industry standards, bridging educational needs with real-world application. She also oversaw the clinical education of students, guiding their hands-on experience with patients. In addition to her clinical and administrative expertise, Dr. Deckard enriches the field of psychology through her academic role as an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University’s Doctor of Psychology program. Dr. Deckard's exceptional discernment and leadership qualities, deeply rooted in her military service, have endowed her with a profound resilience that infuses all aspects of her professional life, guiding her approach and contributions in the field of neuropsychology.

Ciaran Tracey leads Caron’s Neurocognitive Services Department, ensuring that patients receive excellent care while in the neurotherapy program and providing a comprehensive understanding of the process and its benefits, overseeing staff, and collaborating with Caron’s clinical teams. He joined Caron as the director in 2023. It’s a role that he is dedicated to, having seen how life-changing neurotherapy can be. He appreciates the opportunity to provide leadership and direction for the staff and to work with them to provide the highest quality patient care. Ciaran has worked in the behavioral healthcare field for six years, most recently as the clinic director of neuroservices for a medical group specializing in traumatic brain injury and behavioral and cognitive health. The greater part of his healthcare career was spent implementing and maintaining neurotherapy programs, primarily in facilities treating substance abuse and mental health. Ciaran brings an in-depth understanding of the value and contributions that neurocognitive services offer to patients in treatment and as they begin their lives in recovery. Ciaran is board-certified as a quantitative EEG – diplomate (QEEG-D) — indicating competency in analysis of electroencephalographic data (EEG) and QEEG. He has a Master of Science in applied psychology from Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida. He has a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Bachelor of Science in exercise physiology, both from the University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Kentucky.