Maria Allyson Ayson, PsyD, LP, Psychologist in Culver City, California

Dr. Allyson Ayson is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist who provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for adults and older adults experiencing cognitive, behavioral, and daily functional changes in the context of a wide range of clinical concerns. She has extensive experience evaluating individuals with complex medical presentations, including traumatic brain injury (TBI); neurodegenerative processes (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia [FTD], Parkinson’s disease); vascular and metabolic risk factors (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, history of stroke); and other neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy/seizure disorders, chronic migraines). Dr. Ayson also has extensive experience evaluating individuals with a range of psychiatric and mood-related concerns, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use, depression, and anxiety. She has worked with adults experiencing additional factors that can significantly impact daily functioning, including chronic pain, disrupted sleep, and polypharmacy, as well as pivotal life transitions and burdens such as disability and retirement. Her clinical training also includes working with military Veterans experiencing notable cognitive, psychiatric, and physiological changes following their service. Dr. Ayson earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. She completed her predoctoral internship in neuropsychology at the VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center, followed by a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Her clinical training also includes neuropsychology externships at VA Long Beach, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and the Sports Concussion Institute. In addition to her extensive experience in neuropsychological evaluation, Dr. Ayson has a background in cognitive training and remediation, allowing her to provide highly tailored and actionable compensatory strategies that patients can use to bolster their overall functioning. Dr. Ayson’s approach is grounded in recognizing and building upon each patient’s unique strengths. Through her evaluations, she strives to provide patients and their families with greater insight into their functioning, as well as practical tools and resources to support their overall well-being and quality of life. Outside of her clinical work, Dr. Ayson enjoys taking long scenic drives with her family and their senior dog, Roxy, playing competitive board games with friends, and exploring the many farmers markets around Los Angeles.