Thomson Memory & Attention

Dr. Christopher Howard completed his doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Adler University - Chicago in 2020. Christopher joined Thomson Memory & Attention in July of 2022. Dr. Howard’s previous experience includes rotations at the Emory Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, where he worked closely with individuals suffering from traumatic brain injuries, an assortment of cognitive impairments stemming from various diseases, cardiovascular ailments, and surgeries. During his time there, Dr. Howard was integral to the development of the Emory Healthcare Veterans Cognitive Remediation Program where he provided cognitive remediation to service members with traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Howard has been published in the journals Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology and The Clinical Neuropsychologist. Dr. Howard completed an internship at Wasatch Mental Health, which afforded him an opportunity to provide neuropsychological assessment to individuals who were grappling with substance abuse, neurological disorders, ADHD, and strokes. His clinical interests include cognitive aging, health disparity, and community outreach. Dr. Howard was instrumental in developing a community outreach program, Advocates for Community Wellness, which has spearheaded luncheons and mental health awareness raising events throughout the city of Chicago, particularly with respect to Alzheimer's dementia within underserved communities. 

✓ Internship: Wasatch Mental Health

✓ Clinical Interests in Cognitive Aging, Health Disparity, & Community Outreach

✓ Barrington & Hoffman Estates Offices

 Dr. Cynthia Kane earned her Ph.D. and completed her practicum, internship, and post-doctoral training at The University of Chicago Medical Center in the pediatric neuropsychology program. She remained at the University of Chicago in a joint appointment between Pediatric Neuropsychology and the Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Dr. Kane maintained a pediatric head injury clinic at Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital. She also spent 6 years at North Shore Pediatric Therapy before joining the Thomson Team. 

Her clinical interests include traumatic brain injury (TBI), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disorders, and the neuropsychological sequelae of seizure disorders, genetic disorders, and brain tumors. Dr. Kane's interests outside of the office include spending time with her husband and 4 kids and watching the White Sox and her Hawkeyes.

✓ Internship & Post-Doctoral Training: The University of Chicago Medical Center

✓ Pediatric Patients

✓ Barrington Office

Dr. Jason Karafa was born and raised in western Michigan before moving to Chicago to pursue his studies in Psychology and, more specifically, Neuropsychology. He joined Thomson Memory & Attention in 2012 as a student extern and has remained on staff ever since. Dr. Karafa returned to west Michigan to complete his internship in Pediatric Neuropsychology at BRAINS Potential in Grand Rapids, MI, before his fellowship at Thomson Memory & Attention. Dr. Karafa’s primary area of interest is clinical neuropsychology with pediatrics, yet he has experience and interest in working with individuals across the lifespan. His clinical interests include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, developmental delay, neurodegenerative/genetic disorders, and Dementia. In his spare time, Dr. Karafa enjoys running along the lakeshore with his dogs, landscaping, interior design, and attending street festivals.

✓  Clinical interests in Neurodevelopmental & Neurocognitive Disorders

✓ Patients Across the Lifespan (with a Pediatric Focus)

✓ Barrington Office

Dr. Costero served as a Student Investigator and Practicum Student at the University of Miami  Jackson Behavioral Health Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and Aging where she administered neuropsychological assessments amongst geriatric populations and administered experimental neuropsychological batteries for the investigation of detecting early dementia for various longitudinal studies. Additionally, she has been involved in research, with the Design Neuroscience Center looking at the effect of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) in Athletes. Her clinical interests include diagnosing and treating neurocognitive disorders and conducting neuropsychological assessments across the lifespan.