MISSION
Thomson is committed to providing a full circle understanding of brain-behavior relationships and neuropsychological disorders through comprehensive evaluation, detailed results and tailored treatment. Our mission is to provide medically-proven diagnostic clarity to patients of all ages, in an environment of exceptional customer service and support.
The Thomson Story
For over 10 years, Thomson has been a private neuropsychology practice specializing in the diagnosis, evaluations, and treatment of attention, memory, emotional, and learning difficulties for children, teens, adults, and seniors.
Our comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations take into account the whole patient and provide a road map for patient's specific needs. Our team of highly skilled clinicians is here to help.
Dr. Blodgett Dycus' grandmother, Ethelyn Thomson, (1908-1992) succumbed to complications associated with Alzheimer's disease. This photo features Dr. Blodgett Dycus as a child with her grandmother. Thomson is dedicated to the special memories they share and to the treatment of others with similar diagnoses.
Meet The Team
Dr. Christina Blodgett Dycus, Ph.D.Founder and Clinical Director
Dr. Christina Blodgett Dycus is the Founder and Clinical Director of Thomson Memory Center which was done in honor of her grandmother's struggles with Alzheimer's disease. She earned her Doctorate from the Illinois Institute of Technology and completed her fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at Loyola University Medical Center. Diagnostically, she excels thru the correlation of neuropsychological data and neuroimaging results.
Dr. Amina Homeidan, Psy.D.
Dr. Amina Homeidan received her Doctorate from Carlos Albizu University with a focus in clinical neuropsychology. She completed her clinical internship at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center in Michigan where she provided services to individuals with an array of cognitive, medical, and psychiatric disorders. Her clinical interests include neurological disorders throughout lifespan and cross-cultural neuropsychology. Dr. Homeidan was raised in Miami, FL and is proficient in both English and Spanish.
Dr. Anthony Tucci, Ph.D.
Dr. Anthony Tucci joined the Thomson Memory Center in 2014 after completing his internship at Jewish Child and Family Services which focused on neuropsychological assessment and multi-theoretical intervention across the lifespan. He earned his Doctorate from Northern Illinois University where he gained specialized training in neuropsychological assessment, developmental psychopathology, and evidence-based interventions.
Dr. Arina Polevoy, Psy.D.
Dr. Arina Polevoy completed her internship specializing in clinical neuropsychology at the Illinois Psychological Association Predoctoral Internship Consortium (IPAPIC) and received her Doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in neuropsychology. Her vast clinical interests include assessments of children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of clinical presentations including: TBIs, learning and developmental disorders, ADHD, epilepsy, HIV-related disorders, socio-emotional evaluations, and complex medical conditions, such as stroke, cancer, and memory disturbances like Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Calsey Fasching, Psy.D.
Dr. Calsey Fasching joined our team in September of 2016 for her fellowship after completing her Doctorate at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and her internship at the Department of State Hospitals in California. After completion of her 2-year post-doctoral training she remains part of the clinical team. Dr. Fasching's clinical skill include neuropsychological evaluation across the lifespan and is particularly gifted in assessing patients with chronic conditions.
Dr. Christina Vocos, Psy.D.
Dr. Anthony Tucci joined the Thomson Memory Center in 2014 after completing his internship at Jewish Child and Family Services which focused on neuropsychological assessment and multi-theoretical intervention across the lifespan. He earned his Doctorate from Northern Illinois University where he gained specialized training in neuropsychological assessment, developmental psychopathology, and evidence-based interventions.
Deborah Foshager, MA, LCPC
Assisting our geriatric population through cognitive strengthening, stimulation, and remediation, Deborah Foshager specializes in treating dementia, dementia-related disorders, anxiety, depression, and grief/loss within her individualized therapy. She is well versed with family consultation regarding the cognitive decline of a loved one by answering questions, providing expectations, and offering advice on how to best handle the newfound situation.
Dr. Holly Hagen, Psy.D.
Dr. Holly Hagen received her Doctorate in Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in neuropsychology. She completed her internship at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York specializing in TBIs, stroke, and anoxic injury. Dr. Hagen has extensive experience in assessing patients of all ages with a particular focus in pediatrics.
Dr. Jason Karafa, Psy.D.
Dr. Jason Karafa specializes in neuropsychological evaluations for children and adults with acquired brain disorders and neurodevelopmental and congenital disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, TBIs, learning disorders, and ADHD. He completed his Doctorate in clinical psychology, with a specialization in neuropsychology, through the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Karafa started at Thomson Memory Center as a neuropsychology technician and soon returned after completing his internship at BRAINS in Grand Rapids, MI. He is dedicated to providing the highest level of patient care and satisfaction.
Dr. Kelly Fields, Ph.D.
Dr. Kelly Fields joined Thomson Memory Center after finishing her internship with the Missouri Health Sciences Psychology Consortium focusing on toddlers, teenagers, college students, and veterans' neuropsychological care. She earned her Ph.D. in clinical and counseling psychology from the University of South Alabama. Some of Dr. Fields’ clinical interests include ADHD, learning disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, dementia, and cerebrovascular accidents. She also appreciates differentiating between psychiatric and medical disorders, and acquired and/or organic brain dysfunctions.
Dr. Mandy Schnibben, Psy.D.
Dr. Mandy Schnibben completed her Doctorate in clinical psychology at Antioch University in Santa Barbara in 2014. She joined the Thomson Memory Center in August of 2014 after completing her internship in Forensic Psychology at Elgin Mental Health Center where she underwent training in psychopathology and evidence-based interventions. While practicing at Thomson Memory Center, Dr. Schnibben earned over 3,000 fellowship hours through therapy and evaluations. Her previous experience includes; rotations at Cognitive Fitness and Innovative Therapies (CFIT) and at the California Department of Rehabilitation. Her clinical interests include emotional dysregulation, dementia, cognitive rehabilitation due to neurological disorders, TBI, ADHD, and Stroke. Dr. Schnibben currently resides with her family in the southwest suburbs.
Dr. Monica Gamez, Psy.D.
Dr. Monica Gamez earned her Doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University with a concentration in neuropsychology. She joined Thomson Memory Center in 2018 after completion of her internship at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, FL. Dr. Gamez has experience conducting neuropsychological evaluations in clinical and research settings for individuals of all ages, with a particular interest in the geriatric population. Clinically she enjoys focusing towards dementia, neurocognitive disorders, TBIs, stroke, learning disorders, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She is a fluently bilingual and bicultural clinician who is experienced with assessment in both English and Spanish.
Nader Joudeh, MA, LPC
Nader Joudeh was awarded his Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Governor State University and works primarily through a cognitive/behavioral approach. He focuses largely on individualized adult and lifespan therapies, with training directly related to phase of life transitions, identity development, job and/or relationship stress, emotional and behavioral concerns, in addition to one-on-one experience with Autism cases.
Dr. Nickolas Armstrong, Psy.D.
Dr. Nickolas Armstrong received his Doctorate in psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with focuses in both neuropsychology and health psychology. He completed his internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center specializing in the evaluation of dementia, epilepsy, and ADHD, while also gaining additional experience with psychological evaluations for surgical weight loss, clinical hypnosis, and evidence-based psychotherapy. With experience in assessing patients of all ages, Dr. Armstrong has a particular emphasis on adult and geriatric patients.
Olivia Kenny, MA, LPC
Working with our pediatric, young adult, and lifespan patients, Olivia Kenny brings with her a strong background in parent coaching/skills, behavior-based counseling, anger management, ADHD, trauma, OCD and many other specialized treatment practices. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology at the University of Iowa and her Master’s at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Dr. Rebecca Yesian, Psy.D.
Dr. Rebecca Yesian recently completed her internship at the VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics and obtained her Doctorate in clinical psychology with a focus in neuropsychology from Pacific University in Oregon. She joined Thomson Memory Center in 2018 as a post-doctoral fellow.
Dr. Yesian's clinical interests include assessment of individuals displaying a wide range of presenting problems, including, brain injury, dementia, movement disorders, and stroke.
Stephanie Lafontaine, MA, LPC
Serving our pediatric, school aged, and college population, Stephanie Lafontaine practices many different types of therapy. She joins us after earning her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University, where she achieved a place on the Dean’s List. Her prior schooling at Southern Illinois College and Western Kentucky University helped to introduce her to difference perspectives and cultural experiences by competing on both forensics’ teams winning Nationals twice and Internationally.
The doctors are highly knowledgeable and caring. The office staff is friendly and accommodating.
Christie B. - Chicago, IL
I would highly recommend the Thomson Memory Center. We worked with Dr. Jason Karafa and LOVED him! He was kind, compassionate and worked so well with my sons. I am so glad we found Dr. Karafa and found some answers!
Jennifer K. - Chicago, IL
